OVERVIEW
We opened our first store in 2002 with the goal of serving honest food in a fun, casual environment. As we have grown, we have stayed true to our values of using fresh, local, natural ingredients. We are really committed to Honest Food.
WE BEGIN OUR DAY WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY INGREDIENTS, PREPARING EVERYTHING WE SERVE FROM SCATCH.
Today there are six Brown Bag locations and we have a goal to bring our brand of healthy fresh to every town where consumers are looking for the perfect harmony between fresh and flavorful food.
So are you ready to Brown Bag it with us?
An Exceptional Breakfast and Lunch ExperienceOur fast-casual concept at Brown Bag is designed around the “Build your Own” menu. Whether a customer is looking for an Omelet, Salad, Sandwich or Noodle Bowl, they can get exactly what they want to eat by designing their meal to their preference. Artisan IngredientsAnother secret to the success of Brown Bag is our artisan breads, hearty soups, dressings and spreads that are made in-house daily. Dubbed “Honest Food” Brown Bag offers its customers a healthier food alternative; sourced from honest origins, and made from scratch daily. |  |
The Franchise - A Lifestyle Business Opportunity
No other business segment has more franchise success stories than restaurants and the fast casual restaurant segment if experiencing the greatest growth. With the quality, convenience, and selection, Brown Bag, quickly becomes a part of our daily clientele’s routine.
 | You don’t need a food service background to own and operate a successful Brown Bag franchise. Our proprietary recipes and our training program will provide all the information and hands-on experience you need to serve up a perfect dining experience time after time. We have also taken the headaches and guesswork out of getting your Brown Bag franchise open and we offer comprehensive support from day one. Furthermore, it is our goal to help you get up and running quickly and give our franchisees continued support. Brown Bag provides a franchise opportunity unlike any other including:
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Frequently Asked Questions
DO I NEED TO HAVE ANY PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY?
You don’t need a food service background to own and operate a successful Brown Bag. Our proprietary recipes and our training program will provide all the information and hands-on experience you will need to serve up the perfect dining experience time after time. In addition, we will be standing right next to you as you open your location.
HOW LONG WILL I BE AT TRAINING AND WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO LEARN?Our initial training program consists of approximately three weeks of classroom and on-site training at a company owned location in Washington, DC. The Brown Bag requests that not only do you attend training, but that you bring your general manager, kitchen manager and up to two additional employees to complete our initial training program. In addition, one of our representatives will be at your site for up to 14 days (to be scheduled around your opening).
Your training program is intensive and includes: Recipes and Prep Procedures, Quality and Service Standards, Inventory Procedures, Equipment and Safety, Brand Compliance, Food Safety, and Sanitation and Health Code Compliance. When you have completed our training program, you will be ready to own a Brown Bag! |  |
WILL YOU ASSIST ME WITH ESTABLISHING MY VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS AND INITIAL INVENTORY PURCHASE?
Yes. Brown Bag has a preferred vendor program that will provide you with all the products that you will use to operate your restaurant. In addition, we will assist you with your opening inventory purchase.
DOES BROWN BAG OFFER FINANCING?
Currently, we do not offer direct financing but we can recommend some third party financing options that may assist you with financing. We do have arrangements with equipment leasing companies for candidates who have a strong credit rating. We can also recommend some great programs that will allow you to borrow against your retirement fund if that is an option.
DOES BROWN BAG OFFER A MUTI-UNIT FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY?
Yes! We understand that you may want the flexibility to open multiple locations and have complete control of your territory. You are provided a protected territory as part of your franchise agreement. We will also provide you a first right of refusal for adjacent territories at the time of your franchise closing.
WHAT ARE THE INITIAL FRANCHISE FEES AND ONGOING ROYALTY FEES?
The initial franchisee fee is $37,000. Currently there is no national advertising fee, but you will pay ongoing royalties of 5% of gross sales. We ask that you spend a minimum of 1% of your gross sales on local advertising.
WHERE SHOULD I LOCATE MY BROWN BAG RESTAURANT?
We will work directly with your local real estate professional to help select the best location available. In general, we are looking for an urban market with significant foot traffic community activity, including:
- Mixed Medical Complexes and Offices
- Schools & Recreational Areas
- YMCA’s or Large Fitness Related Centers
- Theaters and Other Social Gathering Spots
Ideally we would like to see you in approximately 1,400 to 2,000 square feet and have outdoor seating available. It is not necessary for you to have a strong anchor tenant; however, visibility and signage is very important.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO OPEN MY RESTAURANT ONCE I HAVE SIGNED A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT?
Your first location will generally open within 6 – 9 months of signing your agreement. If your location has already been identified, the time to open can be reduced considerably.
WILL YOU HELP ME WITH MY INITIAL MARKETING STRATEGY AND GRAND OPENING?
Yes. We will assist you with all aspects of your opening and we will be in attendance.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS REALLY BIG RIGHT NOW. DO YOU HAVE A POLICY AS TO WHAT I CAN AND CANNOT DO?
We have an extensive social media policy that we have coupled with best practices. Some storeowners are better equipped than others to monitor and manage their social media presence. We will discuss this at length during training and you will be all set up before you open your restaurant.
