Derek Cha and his wife are opening their Korean barbecue restaurant in Carytown. Photo by Michael Thompson.
A new Korean barbecue concept, backed by SweetFrog founder Derek Cha, has found its home in Carytown.
Cha and his wife, Annah Cha, plan to open Zzaam Fresh Korean Grill at 3300 W. Cary St. in June. The Chas have a five-year lease on the 2,400-square-foot space that was formerly home to Carytown Cleaners.
The Carytown Zzaam will be the company’s second location. The Chas opened a location in Charlottesville in September and have operated a food truck in Richmond since April 2014.
Cha said Carytown’s high volume and age-diverse foot traffic made it an attractive place to launch Zzaam in Richmond.
“Carytown always has lots of people walking by,” he said. “It’s close to VCU and close to University of Richmond.”
Cha said he expects it to cost about $500,000 to open the Carytown Zzaam. He and his wife are financing it themselves. Bridge International designed and began building the space in March. Plans include a patio, and the site comes with 12 parking spaces.
Zzaam’s staple food is its $8 bowls. Photo courtesy of Zzaam Charlottesville
Cha said the experience in Charlottesville was a way of testing his new concept. Zzaam’s specialty is its rice bowls, about $8, which come with vegetables, various proteins and Korean barbecue flavors.
“People really embraced it,” Cha said. “Right now people are really into Korean food.”
Recent activity around Richmond’s food scene may prove the Chas are onto something. In February, Jkogi, a Korean takeout and delivery spot opened in Jackson Ward. Further west, Gogi BiBimBap is expected to open its second location in Gold’s Gym Plaza at West Tower.
Cha sold most of his stake in the SweetFrog empire last month but still owns 15 locations. It appears he may have similar growth plans for Zzaam.
Cha said Zzaam will begin franchising within two months. He has business associates in New England scouting locations, and Richmond may soon be getting more Zzaams.
“We’re looking for sites in Short Pump and also on Hull Street,” Cha said. “I’d like to do some stores in Williamsburg and Fredericksburg.”
Derek Cha and his wife are opening their Korean barbecue restaurant in Carytown. Photo by Michael Thompson.
A new Korean barbecue concept, backed by SweetFrog founder Derek Cha, has found its home in Carytown.
Cha and his wife, Annah Cha, plan to open Zzaam Fresh Korean Grill at 3300 W. Cary St. in June. The Chas have a five-year lease on the 2,400-square-foot space that was formerly home to Carytown Cleaners.
The Carytown Zzaam will be the company’s second location. The Chas opened a location in Charlottesville in September and have operated a food truck in Richmond since April 2014.
Cha said Carytown’s high volume and age-diverse foot traffic made it an attractive place to launch Zzaam in Richmond.
“Carytown always has lots of people walking by,” he said. “It’s close to VCU and close to University of Richmond.”
Cha said he expects it to cost about $500,000 to open the Carytown Zzaam. He and his wife are financing it themselves. Bridge International designed and began building the space in March. Plans include a patio, and the site comes with 12 parking spaces.
Zzaam’s staple food is its $8 bowls. Photo courtesy of Zzaam Charlottesville
Cha said the experience in Charlottesville was a way of testing his new concept. Zzaam’s specialty is its rice bowls, about $8, which come with vegetables, various proteins and Korean barbecue flavors.
“People really embraced it,” Cha said. “Right now people are really into Korean food.”
Recent activity around Richmond’s food scene may prove the Chas are onto something. In February, Jkogi, a Korean takeout and delivery spot opened in Jackson Ward. Further west, Gogi BiBimBap is expected to open its second location in Gold’s Gym Plaza at West Tower.
Cha sold most of his stake in the SweetFrog empire last month but still owns 15 locations. It appears he may have similar growth plans for Zzaam.
Cha said Zzaam will begin franchising within two months. He has business associates in New England scouting locations, and Richmond may soon be getting more Zzaams.
“We’re looking for sites in Short Pump and also on Hull Street,” Cha said. “I’d like to do some stores in Williamsburg and Fredericksburg.”