Franklin Junction, a digital marketplace connecting restaurant operators with virtual concepts has added Chicago-based Wow Bao, the fast-casual Asian concept offering signature buns, bowls, potstickers and more, to its family of virtual restaurant brands. Franklin Junction will launch the Wow Bao menu in 50+ Host Kitchens throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic this month, followed by a nationwide expansion in the first half of 2021. Wow Bao will be available for delivery through Franklin Junction’s national partnerships with DoorDash, Postmates, Uber Eats and GrubHub.
“Wow Bao is a perfect addition to our Host Kitchen portfolio,” says Aziz Hashim, founder of Franklin Junction. “Their off-premise model has been built to allow restaurant hosts to quickly launch a virtual concept and add to their sales and profits using prepared Wow Bao menu items that have minimal equipment requirements and low impact on host kitchen operations.”
Wow Bao’s menu includes the restaurant’s signature steamed bao in a variety of flavors (Teriyaki Chicken, BBQ Berkshire Pork, Spicy Mongolian Beef, Whole Wheat Vegetable), pan-seared potstickers (Ginger Chicken, Green Vegetable) and rice bowls (Teriyaki Chicken, Spicy Kung Pao Chicken, Orange Chicken).
“This is an exciting new initiative for Wow Bao,” says Wow Bao president Geoff Alexander. “Our partnership with Franklin Junction will be our largest expansion to date bringing us to over 100 host kitchens nationwide. We see this relationship as an opportunity to help even more restaurants increase margins and profits as we continue to navigate through the pandemic.”
Franklin Junction was created in April 2020 as an opportunity for restauranteurs to monetize the excess capacity of their kitchens. Franklin Junction performs site analysis, concept matching, and implements strategies for sustained sales growth. There are currently 300 Host Kitchens in 35 states on the Franklin Junction network, with another 200 expected to be operational by early next year.
“Our goal is to help small and medium sized restaurant owners participate in the fast-growing online sales channel on a par with the largest operators who have significantly more resources. We level the playing field,” adds Hashim.
