Jean-Philippe Martin, Partner Visconti, welcomes today Xavier Zeitoun, co-founder and CEO of Zenchef.

They discuss his career as a manager: building and becoming a European leader in digitalization in the restaurant sector.

The Zenchef story

Xavier Zeitoun was quickly caught up in the desire to start a business: during his studies and during his internships, especially in New York. He launches initiatives in his world of passion: Food. He quickly became convinced that restaurant owners would have to adapt to digital transformation.

In 2010, he then launched 1001 menus, which later became Zenchef. He partners with his cousin, Thomas Zeitoun. And very quickly with a 3rd partner, expert in tech: Julien Balmont.

1001 menus offers a tool allowing restaurant owners to put their menu online. This project is not working very well. The company pivoted and changed its business model by developing software to help restaurant owners create their website.

The appetite is strong and the customers are then there; however, very quickly they feel that this cannot be a significant vector of development.

In 2015, they identified the problem of reservation platforms taking large commissions from restaurant owners. They are creating a digital tool that allows reservations to be made without having to go through these platforms. This is a turning point for the company and they decide to focus only on this activity.

Xavier humbly underlines the time it took to determine the right product for the right target: the “product market fit”.

In 2016, Zenchef opened its capital and raised 6 million euros. An important step for the development of the company but also for the management team: “this made us grow by being challenged on various subjects by a Board that creates value”.

In 2020-21, the offer was further expanded: when restaurants reopened (post lockdown), requests for the digitalization of restaurants multiplied. The vision is being completed to provide a wider solution to restaurant owners in terms of customer relationship management.

In spring 2021, a company specialized in payment was acquired: Bilee.

The ambition for the coming years is to:

- Accelerate the deployment of this customer experience management platform model in the restaurant industry with the aim of conquering 25,000 restaurants

- Go international by becoming a leader in 1 or 2 major countries in Europe

Xavier Zeitoun's leadership style, as co-founder and CEO of Zenchef:

In terms of Xavier's leadership style: he is aware that it has evolved enormously over the years. Above all, its objective is to give a clear vision to teams so that they have maximum alignment in their work and are connected to the company. It seeks to connect each collaborator to his mission and create autonomy.

Her two tips for being a great leader:

- stay humble

- be in a process of permanent learning.

His biggest lesson as a leader:

- patience.

Passion, Patience, Learning beautiful ingredients for an already busy and inspiring career.