With over 20 years in hospitality, Zach Friedlander has built a reputation for turning ambitious concepts into enduring restaurant brands.

His career spans Michelin-recognized kitchens, multi-unit fast-casual expansion, independent concept development, and restaurant technology at scale. Structure, leadership, and systems are what allow creativity to survive.

Zach founded Aloha Poké Co. at age 30, growing the brand from a single Chicago market stall into a national company with 32+ locations across the country before making a successful exit. He led menu development, operations, culture, hiring, and expansion, building the infrastructure required to scale without losing soul.

Raised just north of Chicago, Zach was drawn early to the choreography of hospitality - the rhythm of a dining room, the invisible systems behind great service, and the way restaurants anchor communities.

After exiting Aloha Poke, Zach traveled extensively, studying global food cultures and leadership models across continents. The time away refined his philosophy: exceptional hospitality is not built on hustle alone - it’s built on clarity, accountability, and disciplined systems.

He later returned to ownership with Perilla Korean American Fare, applying a sharper operational lens and more mature leadership framework to independent restaurant development. Earning Michelin Bib-Gourmands for the last 5 consecutive years + a Jean Banchet nomination for exceptional hospitality.

Zach’s expertise extends beyond brick and mortar. At Toast, he helped launch and commercialize new restaurant technology products that have collectively generated over $1B in annual recurring revenue. Working across sales, product, finance, and operators nationwide, he developed a deep understanding of how restaurants scale in modern markets.

Today, based in Boulder, Colorado, Zach advises independent restaurateurs, hospitality groups, and emerging brands across the country.

Whether launching a new concept or revitalizing an established brand, Zach is driven by a singular belief: exceptional hospitality has the power to transform communities - but only when it’s built on infrastructure that lasts.