Banh Mi Boys officially brought its signature Vietnamese-fusion flavors to the Northshore, with its latest franchise location opening April 12 in Mandeville at 4350 LA-22. The new franchise location of the signature sandwich shop is a direct response to a massive wave of digital requests from hungry fans across the lake.
Owner Peter Nguyen recently told What Now New Orleans that social media played a pivotal role in selecting the new site.
“Mandeville — the Northshore in general — and Baton Rouge were the two highest demanded areas that people want us to open up at,” he said. “The new shop is helmed by the same franchisees behind the New Orleans Magazine Street location, who happen to be Mandeville residents themselves.”
Beyond the borders of Louisiana, the brand is making a bold leap to the West Coast with a planned location in Modesto, California. The Modesto spot will be a conversion of an existing bubble tea shop, adapted to fit the Banh Mi Boys concept. This expansion has introduced a new set of challenges, as Nguyen navigates the complex regulatory landscape of a different state.
“California is definitely a different ballpark,” Nguyen noted regarding the difficult franchising process. “I think maybe a lot of people are getting scammed, so they make sure I’m legit and not screwing over people”.
While California is on the horizon, a Baton Rouge location is the next major destination for the brand as it continues to grow its franchise footprint. Nguyen confirmed his sights are set on the Capital Region.
“Now, the Northshore can’t complain no more,” he joked. “Every time I do open a restaurant, the Northshore and Baton Rouge people are like, ‘Why you open there and not here?’ So, Baton Rouge, that’s the next milestone to look forward to.”
