Chop Drop was officially launched in January of 2021 by Bill Murray and Adam Machoukas, after a period of intense consumer exploration and testing. In the fall of 2020, Bill and Adam set up a pilot program testing 12 different bowls with various audiences. This feedback guided the launch of a handful of bowls in 2021. This approach of design, test, learn, improve – “the lean startup method” – has been the cornerstone of Chop Drop’s creation and business growth.
A few key learnings have helped these entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls of the competitive food service industry. By focusing exclusively on high selling bowls, Chop Drop was able to keep their startup cost low and cycle through inventory at a quicker rate. They also found a unique cost-effective solution to the production of their bowls. Rather than purchase and sustain a commercial kitchen, they partnered with a well-known catering company, Mesenburg Creative Catering, for the production process of all their bowls. They’ve also been laser focused on distribution channels, meticulously tracking the sales of their products at various locations to focus solely on locations that have a high enough volume of sales to ensure none of their products go to waste.
The Lean Startup method has paid off for Chop Drop. In just 12 months, the company’s grown to selling over 1,000 bowls a week. Chop Drop can be found at Sheri’s Coffee in Norwalk, BoomTown Coffee in Sandusky, River + Road Marketplace, and at Bowling Green State University Main Campus. For the smart consumer, thinking ahead of their busy week, bowls can also be pre-ordered online at a discounted rate to pick up at these locations.
Bill & Adam have a passion for food. They believe everyone wants to eat healthier, but also know nutritious meals are time-consuming to prepare. Chop Drop was created to make the choice easier and more affordable.
