The Culinary Innovation of Bread Zeppelin
The Genesis of Bread Zeppelin
Matt West, director of brand development at Avalanche Food Group, opened a Bread Zeppelin franchise location at 1700 Lake Plaza Drive in City Place.
In 2010, high school buddies Troy Charhon and Andrew Schoellkopf worked in upscale food venues. They discovered a shared view on finding alternatives to “messy wraps that easily fall apart.” One evening, over beers, they brainstormed how to elevate the humble sandwich, feeling Dallas craved something fresh. That lively discussion sparked the idea of Bread Zeppelin—a brand with a vision to transform the local sandwich scene.
They embarked on a meticulous journey to shape their vision. A blend of earnest effort and thoughtful ingredient selection led to the birth of Bread Zeppelin on MacArthur Blvd in Las Colinas. The overwhelming success of the first outlet, marked by lengthy queues, laid the groundwork for the second outlet in Plano, TX, a year later, setting the stage for an inspiring journey of growth.
What Sets Bread Zeppelin Apart?
At the heart of Bread Zeppelin’s innovation is the “Zeppelin,” a hollowed baguette that cradles a vibrant medley of fresh salads, bridging two realms of the fast-casual domain – salads and sandwiches.
This approach presented a unique product and pioneered a new category in the fast-casual segment, filling a void felt by many food enthusiasts.
This journey from concept to a beloved brand reflects a trio of attributes:
- Unique Product: The innovative take on a classic meal caters to a wider audience, appealing to both salad and sandwich lovers.
- Leadership: The leadership team’s combination of vision, experience, and agility propels the brand forward.
- Investment in Growth: An ambitious outlook on growth, partnering with franchise owners for expansion.
Broadening Horizons with Franchising
As Bread Zeppelin gains recognition, the next chapter unfolds – a venture into franchising.
The brand extends a hearty invitation to prospective franchise owners, offering a meticulously crafted support system covering realms from real estate and construction to marketing and technology. The brand’s basic idea is to grow with its franchise partners and their communities, sharing knowledge, experience, and resources.
The Communities We Serve
Bread Zeppelin’s customer palette is as diverse as its menu. The brand resonates with a broad spectrum of demographics, including:
- Health-Conscious Individuals: With a myriad of fresh, nutritious salad options.
- Corporate Professionals: Seeking a quick yet wholesome meal.
- Food Enthusiasts: Always on the lookout for a new culinary experience.
The array of locations marked for growth, like Texas, Colorado, and Kansas, to name a few, reflect the brand’s keen understanding of the diverse communities it intends to serve.
Culture and Values
The culture at Bread Zeppelin is rooted in values of Ownership, Respect, Active Engagement, and Teamwork. These values shape the internal workings and extend to the relationships with franchise partners, nurturing a fertile ground for collective success.
Available Territories
With Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston as stepping stones, the vision for growth encompasses states like Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, among others.
The Numbers
- Total Investment Range: $470,590 to $881,265
- AUV: $1.4 Million
It is hard to compare Bread Zeppelin to any other brand when it comes to industry space. It is such a unique concept; however, here are some of the other players in each space:
Sandwich Franchises For Sale:
- McAlister’s Deli: $821,000 to $1,308,850
- Panera Bread: $1,117,000 to $3,464,000
- Jimmy John’s: $356,200 to $674,200
Salad Franchises For Sale:
- Chop5 Salad Kitchen: $356,700 to $873,700
- Saladworks: $567,000 to $674,000
It is clear that salad franchises generally have a lower initial investment range than their counterparts in the sandwich franchise market segment. The important thing is to consider what is in those numbers.
Other factors to consider found in Item 6 of the FDD:
- Royalty %
- Local Marketing Requirement
- Marketing Fund Requirement
- Interest
- Training Costs
These are just some of the other fees that could be associated with the investment. All fees must be disclosed in Items 6 & 7 of the FDD. Pay close attention to see the entire picture of what you are investing in and how the numbers work out over time. Sometimes there is more than meets the eye.
Final Thoughts
Bread Zeppelin is not just a brand; it’s a narrative of passion, innovation, and community. The core essence remains as it flutters toward new horizons, transforming a simple meal into an extraordinary experience. The journey of Bread Zeppelin is a testimony to what unfettered imagination coupled with unwavering determination can manifest. And as they say, the best is yet to come.
Join us as we continue to write this enthralling story, crafting not just sandwiches but memories, one hollowed baguette at a time.
