New Brown St. restaurant near UD now hiring, to open in coming weeks

Bibibop Asian Grill is gearing up to open in late October or early November and is how hiring for its first Dayton-area restaurant at 1200 Brown St. near the University of Dayton campus.

Rachel Newbury, spokeswoman for the fast-growing Columbus-based chain with a Korean-inspired menu, said Bibibop officials expect to hire a crew of about 40. Applicants can email hiring@bibibop.com or visit work4bibibop.com.

The 3,300-square-foot restaurant will seat about 100. It will occupy two suites, 135 and 140, that are located across a breezeway from an existing Potbelly Sandwiches. The retail strip also includes Fusian Sushi, El Rancho Grande and Smashburger. And the popular local food truck Zombie Dogz is preparing to open a restaurant next door to Bibibop.

>> RELATED: Bibibop Asian Grill confirms new Dayton location

Bibibop was founded in Columbus in 2013 and now operates 10 restaurants in the Columbus and Cincinnati areas, including one in the Liberty Center in Butler County. The distinctive name is derived from the popular Korean dish, “bibimbap,” which translated into “mixed rice.”

Its restaurants operate with a fast-casual, build-your-own service concept similar to Chipotle. Diners choose from purple or white rice for their bowl, or have their dish prepared as a salad or wrap, then select from two types of chicken, beef or tofu, and then top their dish from a variety of vegetables and garnishes, from pickled daikon radish to sesame kale to kimchi.

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