Secret Ingredient: Pei Wei, the Concept Built Ahead of Its Time
Photo Caption: Pei Wei Asian diner was a fast-casual spin-off concept launched well before its time — and is still going strong.
Skift Take
This reads like the ultimate fast casual success story — and it's been in the works for well over a decade.
As restaurants work to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace, big restaurant chains are diversifying their offerings to appeal to a different audience. This is the third in a Skift Table series dedicated to the stories behind the small names.
Don’t miss the first, spotlighting Cracker Barrel spin-off Holler & Dash, or the second, success at B-Dubs Express.
Fast casual spin-offs are proving themselves to be the best bet for chain restaurants to stay competitive as our relationship with dining out changes. But what happens when the spinoff appears to have the momentum to surpass the original?
If the goal of a spinoff concept is to generate revenue and business, then news like we’ve recently heard from Pei Wei and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro should be considered the ultimate success story. P.F. Chang’s started Pei Wei 17 years ago as a response to the changing restaurant market. The management of P.F. Chang’s first noticed the seismic shifts that would befall
