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John Pepper
Entrepreneur and Investor
John Pepper is an entrepreneur and early-stage investor best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Boloco, a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in burritos and bowls. Here are some key details about John Pepper:
Background and Education
- Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio
- Graduated from Dartmouth College in 1991
- Received his MBA from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in 199724
Boloco
- Co-founded Boloco (originally called Under Wraps, then The Wrap) in 1997 with Adam Liebman, Gregg Harris, and Jason Hutchinson while a second-year student at Tuck134
- Opened the first location near Berklee College of Music in Boston4
- Served as CEO for many years, helping grow the chain to 22 locations at its peak2
- Left the company briefly in 2013 but returned in 2015 to lead a turnaround effort3
- Currently serves as Chief Worker Advocate and CEO of the now-smaller Boloco chain2
Other Business Ventures
- Early investor in B.Good restaurant chain in 20032
- Has invested in over 30 consumer, restaurant, and hospitality tech startups2
- Co-founder of Worthee, a technology platform aimed at helping hourly workers4
Achievements and Roles
- Won the 2012 Regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award4
- Named one of the top 24 "Movers and Shakers" in the restaurant industry by Fast Casual in 20174
- Serves on the boards of Botanica Seattle, Hone, Boston Private Industry Council, and Positive Tracks25
- Served on the Selectboard of Norwich, VT from 2017-2020, including as Chair from 2018-20202
John Pepper is known for his focus on social responsibility in business, including paying above-average wages and pursuing environmental certifications for Boloco.34 He continues to be involved in the restaurant industry and startup ecosystem as an investor and advisor.
Highlights
People often ask me how my Dad, also John Pepper, accomplished all he did in his 40 years at Procter & Gamble, another 7 years as Chairman of the Board at The Walt Disney Company, and too many philanthropic leadership roles to list (but special shout out to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center).
There are so many reasons he was successful, a major one being luck and good fortune, Dad will be the first to say. But three specific reasons in my mind are as follows:
Number one was my Mom enabled him, encouraged him, and supported him every step of the way. He didn’t have to lift a finger at home – she did it all, kids, taxes, logistics for all of our international moves, etc. Literally, Mom crushed it.
Second, he worked really, really hard – but also efficiently. And I'm talking freak of nature type diligence and discipline (it seems of all my siblings, my brother David has been most blessed with this character attribute or defect depending on how you look at it). Simple math on that one.
Third, he was extremely well read. As far back as I can remember he had one or two books going at any given time. He devoured thick, serious books like they were Archie comic books. Truly an overwhelming number of books, to be honest. And even well into his 80's, he remembers so many of them, their authors, and why certain books meant so much to his personal, spiritual, and professional growth.
This article is about my time with Dad on his 86th birthday as well as my sister Susan who joined us on Day 3 and our jog down memory lane as we worked through literally every one of the 700+ books in his library. As I say, "one of those gifts in life you really can’t ever anticipate."
Finally, he sent me a draft of what he entitled "Why I Love To Read"... I got so much out of the whole experience and what he wrote that I decided to share it here.
