Sustaining Insta-Success

It should come as no surprise that the world’s first marshmallow café would attract a lot of social media attention. XO Marshmallow brand co-founders Lindzi Shanks and Kat Connor created their handmade gourmet confections in their home kitchens before expanding from digital direct-to-consumer to include a café and a separate production and shipping space.

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked Shanks about the brand's growth, compeition, loyalty, and social media savvy. 

What is the XO Marshmallow concept and how is it distinguished from its competition?

XO Marshmallow is the premier gourmet marshmallow company with the world’s first marshmallow café in Chicago, IL. We create gourmet marshmallows and marshmallow-based treats in a variety of flavors.

We have distinguished ourselves in a number of ways including innovation, brand, and quality. In terms of innovation, we are constantly thinking five steps ahead of our competitors to create new products…