Bun Mee Announces National Franchise Opportunity

Premier, Gourmet Vietnamese Sandwich Eatery Unveils National Franchise Development Plan

San Francisco, CA. – Bun Mee, the gourmet, Vietnamese sandwich eatery known for their banh mi, has officially announced their franchise development plans for North America. With 4 corporate-owned stores open throughout San Francisco, and an additional store set to open in November 2024, Bun Mee is looking for ambitious, adventurous and creative entrepreneurs to bring the unique vision of Bun Mee to their local communities.

Founded in 2011, Bun Mee, known as the “Shake Shack of Vietnamese Sandwiches,” is pioneering a unique niche by introducing the banh mi sandwich to mainstream America via franchising. With a commitment to gourmet, chef-driven sandwiches, Bun Mee provides a fresh, intentional alternative to traditional sandwich shops by providing an experience, not just a meal. The brand is looking for both single and multi-unit owners to deliver a chef-driven, food-forward experience that will introduce the U.S. to Vietnamese street food.

This fall, the brand is excited to open their fifth corporate-owned store in the Marina District of San Francisco. The grand opening will be held in October at 3330 Steiner Street in San Francisco. This will be the Flagship location for Bun Mee, where all franchise training and day-to-day operations will take place.

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 significant gap in the market. With an increased popularity of Southeast Asian food worldwide and the global fast-casual market projected to grow from $124.5 billion in 2022 to $337.8 billion by 2032, Bun Mee offers a fresh opportunity for single and multi-unit franchisees to enter a rapidly expanding industry on the ground-floor. Investors can rest easy knowing Bun Mee offers the corporate support, brand recognition, and the benefits of franchising without the “chain restaurant” feel.

“Each Bun Mee location is designed to have a unique local vibe, with intentional choices regarding music, ambiance, and artwork. We place a strong focus on the well-being of our employees and guests, and strive to deliver a fine dining experience in a fast-casual atmosphere. It’s more than a meal—it’s an experience,” said Denise Tran, Founder and CEO of Bun Mee. “Vietnamese food has a wide variety of flavors and ingredients. If you aren’t seeking it out or already aware of it, you may never get the opportunity to try it. I’m excited to spread love and awareness of my heritage through our restaurant, and to inspire people to try something new.”

Bun Mee’s franchise opportunity is backed by strong unit economics, which have exponentially increased every year. Each store’s gross sales revenue surpassed $1 million by or before the second year in operation. The non-traditional airport stores saw outstanding profit margins, with both Terminal locations grossing over $4.6 Million and $3.6 Million in sales in 2023, respectively. Despite San Francisco being a robust and oversaturated market, Bun Mee’s traditional storefronts have done over $1M in sales every year since 2021.

Bun Mee underscores its blend of authentic Vietnamese flavors and modern convenience through technology-driven solutions like online ordering and contactless payment, making it a cutting-edge, fresh and modernized franchise opportunity in the fast-causal space. The brand’s design-driven approach, focus on exceptional customer service, and signature Vietnamese-inspired, East-meets-West menu items has positioned them as a standout in a sea of cookie-cutter fast-casual concepts.

“There has been a huge surge in popularity for Southeast Asian cuisine worldwide. It’s healthy, bursting with flavor, and keeps you fueled and full. We plan on meeting the growing demand for simple, tasty and healthy Asian dining options through our franchise expansion,” said Kera Vo, Head of Franchise Development. “There’s not really a national name dominating the banh mi space, nor is there a go-to, popular Vietnamese chain or franchise. Bun Mee has a clear opportunity to become that household name, and fill a significant gap in the market. This provides a compelling case for potential franchisees looking to invest in a concept with minimal direct competition, in an unsaturated market.

Bun Mee provides flexible franchise options, thriving in diverse settings such as airports, malls, stadiums, and highly walkable urban or suburban neighborhoods. This versatility allows franchisees to select models that best fit their local market dynamics and entrepreneurial ambitions.

The brand’s commitment to the ultimate customer experience is matched only by their dedication to the well-being and preservation of our 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. The brand ensures accessibility and support for a diverse range of investors, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a reliable and scalable business model. For more information on franchising with Bun Mee, please visit https://bunmee.co/franchise.

About Bun Mee
Founded in 2011 and franchising since 2024, Bun Mee is committed to building value and aiming to be the first and only premier gourmet Vietnamese fast-casual dining option in cities nationwide. Crossing a cultural gap, Founder and CEO Denise Tran built a modern Vietnamese sandwich eatery that became an overnight sensation, quickly growing to multiple locations throughout Northern California. With a focus on banh mi, the delicious staple of Vietnamese cuisine, Bun Mee creates high-quality, value-oriented meals for on-the-go and fast-casual dining. 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. For more information, please visit https://bunmee.co/franchise.