Occupation: Restaurateur Based in: New York Last Education: International Culinary Center (Formerly French Culinary Institute) |
It takes hard work to run an empire. And Jason Wang has a large one, at that. He’s the CEO and President of Xi’an Famous Foods, a New York City Chinese fast-food chain that currently has 11 locations - and expanding - in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. Xi’an Famous Foods has quickly become iconic for its fast, hip, and inexpensive Xi’an fare, with its famed lamb burger starting at just $3.50!
One of those locations is Biang!, an upscale version of the Xi’an brand, named after the sound the noodles make when the dough is slapped against the counter. Just this year, Biang! became a no-tipping establishment, instead giving its employees a wage increase and 15% of the revenue share.
In 2017, Xi’an Famous Foods will have a coveted spot in the upcoming Bourdain Market, a mega food hall by Anthony Bourdain, opening on Pier 57 in Manhattan, fashioned after Singapore’s famed hawker centres.
Occupation: Restaurateur Based in: New York Last Education: International Culinary Center (Formerly French Culinary Institute) |
It takes hard work to run an empire. And Jason Wang has a large one, at that. He’s the CEO and President of Xi’an Famous Foods, a New York City Chinese fast-food chain that currently has 11 locations - and expanding - in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. Xi’an Famous Foods has quickly become iconic for its fast, hip, and inexpensive Xi’an fare, with its famed lamb burger starting at just $3.50!
One of those locations is Biang!, an upscale version of the Xi’an brand, named after the sound the noodles make when the dough is slapped against the counter. Just this year, Biang! became a no-tipping establishment, instead giving its employees a wage increase and 15% of the revenue share.
In 2017, Xi’an Famous Foods will have a coveted spot in the upcoming Bourdain Market, a mega food hall by Anthony Bourdain, opening on Pier 57 in Manhattan, fashioned after Singapore’s famed hawker centres.
Xi’an’s memorable fare has been featured on many foodie shows like Food Network, Travel Channel and Cooking Channel. Champions for its spicy, hand-pulled noodles include celebrity chefs Andrew Zimmern and of course, Anthony Bourdain.
In 2008, Anthony Bourdain arrived at the original location in Golden Shopping Mall to film an episode of “No Reservations.” He instantly fell in love with the food, and the little stall in Flushing became an overnight hit.
At the time, Wang’s father, David ‘Li Piang’ Shi, ran the original location. Wang was still in business school at Washington University in St. Louis, but helped out at the Flushing location every winter break. Xi’an’s popularity continue to boom after Wang’s graduation in 2009. He foresaw the growth for Xi’an, and implementing his business acumen, the chain quickly opened additional locations.
Xi’an Famous Foods’s impressive expansion under Wang’s helm didn’t go unnoticed. Wang has numerous honors and accolades under his belt, including Zagat’s 2013 30 Under 30 in New York, Forbes’s 2014 30 Under 30 in the Food & Wine category, Crain’s 2014 40 Under 40 in NYC and Eater’s Young Guns National Class of 2013.
In New York’s Chinese food scene, Jason Wang rules.
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