Today we’d like to introduce you to David Zhao.
Hi David, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
David Zhao Founding Partner.A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Wharton graduate, David is a lifelong entrepreneur focused on revolutionizing the global food and beverage industry through innovation and integration. He founded NXTFactor at 13, specializing in Asian hospitality branding and technology build-outs, experience that now powers Chubby Group’s worldwide expansion as a next-generation F&B platform redefining how brands, technology, and consumers connect.
Chubby Group is a U.S.-based restaurant and hospitality company with a vertically integrated ecosystem spanning Chubby Supply (supply chain operations), Chubby Center (brand design and full-chain services), Chubby Media (marketing and communications), and the Chubby Club App (loyalty program).
Supporting 25+ Asian-inspired restaurant and retail brands, the Group delivers end-to-end solutions in sourcing, branding, marketing, and customer engagement—expanding a multi-concept dining empire built around exclusive rewards and elevated experiences.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Entrepreneurship is never a smooth road.
Every day brings new challenges. Over the past 10 years, we’ve faced obstacles such as the global pandemic, economic downturns, cash flow constraints, rapid expansion, and intense industry competition.
Despite all these difficulties, we never gave up. We stayed focused on continuous innovation, enhancing customer experiences, and building a sustainable business model.
These experiences have taught us the true value of adaptability, resilience, and long-term vision.
We’ve been impressed with Chubby Group, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Formerly known as Chubby Cattle International, Chubby Group stands as a premier US-based F&B holding company. Celebrated for its dining concepts such as The X Pot, Chubby Cattle, Niku X, and Mikiya, the group operates 25 multi-concept restaurants. as Oct 2025. we open 60 location， will have 120 locations by 2026.Alongside its dining establishments, Chubby Group has launched distinct consumer product lines, featuring standouts like Wagyu Rice Bowls and Wagyu Soup Dumplings. In their quest to elevate the dining scene, Chubby Group also specializes in the distribution of unmatched Wagyu and Caviar. The “Chubby Club” loyalty program accentuates their customer-first philosophy, offering members unparalleled benefits across all entities. With an ambitious trajectory, Chubby Group aims to acquire 1,000 locations over the next five years, dedicated to enriching the experiences of Chubby Club aficionados, all while harnessing the power of its integrated supply chain strategy.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m very passionate about the AI industry and truly believe it represents the future of business and innovation. At Chubby Group, we’ve already begun integrating various AI applications to help us better manage and market our restaurants.
For example, we use AI hosts to handle customer phone calls and reservations, and AI review tools to generate daily performance and feedback reports*automatically. These technologies have greatly improved our operational efficiency and allowed our team to focus more on creativity, strategy, and guest experience.
Pricing:
- Our AYCE BBQ and shabu locations typically offer a 3–4 tier menu, priced between $48 and $98, allowing guests to choose based on their preferences. Chubby Club members always enjoy $8–$10 off each menu tier. Our annual membership options are priced at $28 and $58, offering exclusive rewards and benefits across single brand or all locations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chubbygroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chubby.group/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/itsdawei/
Image Credits
@chubby.group
