New York City Metropolitan Area
Solomon Choi is a seasoned F&B entrepreneur, investor, and advisor with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He is the CEO of Jabba Brands, a company he founded in 2019 to advise, invest, and operate companies that improve the way people eat, drink, and live harmoniously. He is also an Angel Squad Member at Hustle Fund, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in various sectors, including F&B. Before Jabba Brands, Solomon founded and sold two successful F&B companies: 16 Handles, New York City's first self-serve frozen yogurt shop that grew to over 40 locations internationally, and Greeno Products, a supplier of custom and off-the-shelf disposables for the food service industry. Both companies were bootstrapped for almost 15 years each, without outside investment, and generated 8-figure and 7-figure revenues respectively. Solomon has also invested in and advised multiple F&B-related companies and startups, such as Lunchbox, Sanzo, and Kolkata Chai Co., helping them scale to become best-in-class brands. Solomon's core competencies include franchising, go-to-market strategy, restaurant technology, and bootstrapped growth. He holds a BS in Business Administration from USC Marshall School of Business and certifications in Restaurant Revenue Management and Digital Marketing from eCornell. He speaks English, Korean, and has a Beginner's Mandarin certification from Tsinghua University. Solomon enjoys speaking to students, entrepreneurs, and organizations, and sharing his insights and expertise on F&B and entrepreneurship. His mission is to build leading F&B brands that people love and positively impact the world.
We advise, invest, and operate companies that improve the way people eat, drink, and live harmoniously.
Somedays Bakery uses classic French techniques paired with modern flavors. Pastries are made from scratch at the location and sold alongside teas and coffees utilizing a fully automated brewing process.
*sold in Aug 2022 to Neil Hershman and Content Creator Danny Duncan 16 Handles is New York City's first self-serve frozen yogurt retail brand. The first store opened in Manhattan in July 2008 and there are 30 stores in total as of 2022 in the US. Notable Firsts: Self Service/Pay by weight dessert concept (NYC companies) Use of Snapchat for Advertising (all companies) Implement Mobile Loyalty and Payment App (frozen dessert companies) Notable Appearances: yahoo! Finance - July 2021 Cheddar TV - June 2021 Cheddar TV - July 2017 CNBC The Profit - Feb 2016 Fox Business News: Varney & Co - Nov 2015 Venture for America Selection Day Judge - Apr 2015 CNBC Closing Bell - Mar 2015 Fox Business News: Varney & Co- Jan 2015 Fox Business News: Money Makers - Jan 2015 Fox & Friends - Jan 2015 WGKA Talk 920 AM & WAFS Biz 1190 AM - May 2014 Bloomberg TV's In the Loop w/ Betty Liu- May 2014 CNBC & MSNBC: Chase Ink Commercial with Marcus Lemonis- May 2014 Bloomberg TV's Market Makers - April 2014 CNNMoney.com Ink from Chase "Inspirationist" - Dec 2013 SmartCEO Magazine"Quick Takes"- Aug/Sept 2013 Ink from Chase "One Minute Lesson"- Aug 2013 CNBC "Street Signs"- July 2013 Fox Business News- Aug 2012 Bloomberg TV's "Taking Stock"- June 2012 INC Magazine: Chase Ink Ad - Dec 2011 Bloomberg TV: Chase Ink Commercial - Oct 2011 6th Annual NY XPO for Business: Panelist- 2011 MSNBC: Sprint Business Fantasy Camp (mentor: John Schnatter, Founder/CEO Papa John's Pizza) - 2009
The first 16 Handles retail store to open in Manhattan's East Village. This is the first self-serve frozen yogurt store to open in NYC. Awards and accolades include: Zagat Award of Excellence, Nickelodeon's Parent's Pick "Best Ice Cream" in NY, NY Press "Best Frozen Yogurt", 4 Star Rating on Yelp.com, Time Out Kids NY, NY Times, ABC News, NY Magazine, Cebu Daily News, Teen.com Featured as Guest Panelist in 2008 and 2009 NYU Stern's Annual Marketing Conference. Case Study example for NYU Stern Entrepreneur Class 2009 Case Study for Baruch 2010 PHD Candidate *sold August 2019
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SKUsafe is a venture-backed enterprise SaaS startup building the definitive source of product truth for food & beverage CPG.