--- title: "Gourmet Banh Mi Sandwich Franchise to Popularize Vietnamese Street Food in New Year" url: https://burnaze.com/article/df921fe3-bb44-41d7-afb8-5d501cb794ef source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20241201_gourmet_banh_mi_sandwich_franchise_to_popularize_vietnamese_street_food_in_.html category: "Sandwich & sub" industry: "Restaurants" segment: "Sandwich & sub" published: 2024-12-01T12:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T18:29:16.279Z image: https://imgs.franchising.com/brands/social/bun_mee.jpg --- # Gourmet Banh Mi Sandwich Franchise to Popularize Vietnamese Street Food in New Year **TL;DR:** Bun Mee, a gourmet Vietnamese sandwich eatery, has announced national development plans and is seeking franchise owners to bring Vietnamese cuisine to several states. The brand has opened its fifth corporate-owned store in San Francisco and is positioned to fill a gap in the market with its innovative banh mi sandwiches and Vietnamese-inspired fare. *originally published in Franchising.com on 2024-12-01. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20241201_gourmet_banh_mi_sandwich_franchise_to_popularize_vietnamese_street_food_in_.html).* ## Story ## Expansion plans In addition to announcing its national franchise opportunity, the premier San Francisco-based banh mi concept opened its fifth corporate-owned store in the Marina District in October. Going forward, this will be the Flagship location for Bun Mee, where all franchise training and day-to-day operations will take place. Having been identified by Franchise Dictionary Magazine as a Top 100 Game Changer for the year of 2024, Bun Mee is seeking passionate single and multi-unit franchise owners to bring Vietnamese cuisine to AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, and WY, with a special focus on Denver, CO. **“America is known for being culinarily curious as it relates to international and fusion cuisine. Tacos are a beloved U.S. staple despite originating in Mexico. Pizza came from Naples, Italy. Sushi found its way here all the way from Japan, Tapas from Spain, and so on. The banh mi is Vietnam’s proud take on the classic sandwich, so why shouldn’t it get the same level of visibility and celebration,” said Denise Tran, founder and CEO of Bun Mee.** Having been born in Vietnam, raised in New Orleans, and kick started her career in New York City, Tran understands the importance of immigrants being able to access, eat, and connect amongst favorite foods and dishes while living in the U.S. Thus, Bun Mee cultivates a unique experience and community that goes beyond the menu. ## Market position As the only fast-casual gourmet restaurant franchise to feature innovative banh mi sandwiches and other Vietnamese-inspired fare, Bun Mee is positioned to fill a non-existent gap in the market. The brand offers flexible franchise options, thriving in diverse settings such as airports, malls, stadiums, and highly walkable urban or suburban neighborhoods. Bun Mee’s franchise opportunity is backed by strong unit economics, which has exponentially increased every year. Each store’s gross sales revenue has surpassed $1 million by, or before, the second year in operation. Technology-driven solutions like online ordering and contactless payment further establish Bun Mee as a cutting-edge, fresh, and modernized franchise opportunity in the fast-casual space. The brand’s commitment to the ultimate customer experience is matched only by its dedication to the well-being and preservation of the planet. Bun Mee prioritizes the use of mindful and sustainable ingredients and demonstrates environmental responsibility through the use of compostable to-go items. The brand also offers robust support for franchisees, from site selection to the grand opening process. Bun Mee ensures accessibility and support for a diverse range of investors, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a reliable and scalable business model. From spring rolls and salads to playful takes on banh mi, they are redefining food for Americans tired of the status quo. With a “franchisee-first” model, eco-friendly footprint, and unique, elevated takes on street food, Bun Mee provides an unmatched franchise opportunity in an undersaturated market. Often dubbed to be the “Shake Shack of Vietnamese Sandwiches,” the brand is proud to represent the rich Vietnamese-American heritage of their founder while drawing inspiration from the uniquely beautiful sights, sounds, and flavors of Vietnamese street food. Bun Mee is expanding nationwide, seeking franchise partners to grow a Vietnamese fast-casual brand with momentum, scalability, and broad appeal. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - unit expansion (topic) - QSR (sector) - fast casual (topic) - franchise opportunity (topic) - sustainable ingredients (topic) - Denise Tran (person) - vietnamese cuisine (topic) - Bun Mee (company) --- Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20241201_gourmet_banh_mi_sandwich_franchise_to_popularize_vietnamese_street_food_in_.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/df921fe3-bb44-41d7-afb8-5d501cb794ef).