Nick Nanakos, the creator of ZIKI, a seed oil-free restaurant that raised $6.7 million, discusses his battle with cancer, ambition, leadership, calling out VCs, and his vision of becoming the Tesla of food. He shares personal stories of overcoming challenges, the importance of authenticity, and perspectives on death. Additionally, he highlights the significance of generosity in food, the power of music in creating a positive culture, and the impact of simplicity in business operations.
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Quick takeaways
Ziki aims to revolutionize the food system with their seed oil-free, modular restaurants and become the Tesla of food.
Nick Nanakos' journey showcases the power of resilience, conviction, and following one's true calling in creating impactful change.
Ziki's innovative approach to restaurant economics, with low startup costs and high profitability, is reshaping the traditional model.
Deep dives
Ziki: A Vision for the Future of Food
Ziki is a revolutionary restaurant concept that aims to rearchitect the toxic food system. With their seed oil free philosophy, Ziki offers Greek and Mexican fusion food made with the best organic ingredients. The company has a trillion dollar vision to become the Tesla of food, and their modular restaurants are at the forefront of their innovative approach. These modular restaurants, not to be confused with food trucks, are fully vertically integrated, with Ziki manufacturing and operating their own units. With fast payback periods and low startup costs, Ziki's unit economics are highly profitable. They also utilize cutting-edge technology, including kitchen robotics, to further enhance efficiency and profitability. By challenging the traditional restaurant model and prioritizing healthier, sustainable, and flavorful food options, Ziki is poised to disrupt the industry on a global scale.
The Founding Journey: Instinct, Passion, and Resilience
Nick Nanakos, the visionary founder of Ziki, embarked on a challenging and transformative journey. Coming from a family of high integrity and extreme sacrifice, Nick's determination and leadership skills were evident from a young age. Inspired by his Greek and Spartan heritage, Nick developed a strong sense of ambition and a desire to make a significant impact in the world. Through years of entrepreneurial experience, he honed his instincts and intuition. The pivotal moment came when he realized that he wasn't thinking big enough, leading him to conceptualize Ziki as more than just a software play for food trucks. This epiphany propelled him to reimagine the restaurant industry and create a fully vertically integrated model with modular restaurants. Nick's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, conviction, and following one's true calling.
The Sith of the Restaurant Industry: Unstoppable Unit Economics
Ziki's innovative approach to the restaurant industry rests on its unstoppable unit economics. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants that require significant startup costs and have long payback periods, Ziki's modular restaurants offer a cost-effective and highly profitable alternative. With the ability to build and manufacture their own units for under $90,000 each, Ziki's payback period is less than six months. This is in stark contrast to the 16 to 50 months of traditional restaurants. Additionally, Ziki's streamlined operations, leveraging technology and automation, minimize labor costs and increase efficiency. By mastering the art of profitability in the restaurant industry, Ziki is redefining what it means to run a successful and sustainable food business.
Speaking Truth with Conviction: The Mindset of an Innovator
Nick Nanakos, the founder of Ziki, has been characterized as someone who fearlessly speaks his mind with unwavering conviction. Raised in an environment of intense debates and quick comebacks, Nick developed a natural inclination to speak his truth unapologetically. He believes that life is short, and as a leader, he feels a responsibility to express his beliefs and values authentically. Nick's perspective on life shifted dramatically when faced with a cancer diagnosis. This experience further solidified his resolve to live truthfully. By boldly expressing his ideas, Nick not only cuts through the noise but also attracts like-minded individuals who align with his vision for Ziki and the revolutionizing of the food industry.
The Power of Faith and Perspective
This podcast episode explores the transformative power of faith and how one man's battle with cancer changed his perspective on life and death. The speaker shares his personal experience of being diagnosed with tongue cancer at a young age and how it led him to reconnect with his faith. He highlights the importance of living life to the fullest and not having regrets, emphasizing the need to express oneself authentically and unapologetically. The speaker also discusses the role of music in inspiring and uplifting him during difficult times, and how it plays a significant part in creating a positive customer experience in his business.
The Importance of Generosity and Authenticity
In this podcast episode, the speaker emphasizes the values of generosity and authenticity in both personal and professional life. They talk about the importance of being generous with portions of food in their business and how it creates a heartwarming experience for customers. The speaker also encourages people to embrace authenticity and not be afraid to speak their minds or pursue their passions. They believe that living life authentically and boldly attracts the right people and opportunities, while also enabling personal growth and fulfillment. This mindset of generosity and authenticity extends beyond business and into relationships, health, and the pursuit of meaningful goals.
