Lei Zhang: Beer, Bread, and Bravery: Drunk Baker’s Path to Shanghai’s Sweet Success

Lei Zhang, CEO of Drunk Baker, accepted to give his first interview in 4 years to the EO Spotlight! Drunk Baker has become a bakery sensation in Shanghai and across China since 2019. Starting his journey as an entrepreneur in the beer industry, Lei founded Drunk Baker four years ago with 3 employees: a baker, a barista, and himself, the cashier. Today, his company has grown to 40 shops across China, with plans to expand to 100 next year. Lei’s passion for creating businesses stems from his love for new experiences, travels, creativity and entrepreneurship. With his unique ability to learn from challenges and crisis, Lei’s success is built on his mantra: "If you want it, go for it!" MAJOR TAKE AWAYS • How To Create A Clear Strategy for Scaling: As you grow, carefully plan where to expand. Choosing the right locations, understanding customer patterns, and balancing brand presence with revenue opportunities are critical to avoid setbacks. • Refine Your Approach Through Experience: No matter how well-planned your strategy is, expect to adapt. Each challenge you face offers insights that will shape and improve your business decisions moving forward. • Leadership Must Evolve with Growth: Managing a small team is vastly different from leading hundreds. To scale successfully, invest in developing leadership skills and learning how to manage larger teams effectively.