Great Franchise concept now looking for great Franchisees. It is easy being Green. Guenevere Blanchard talks to Franchising USA about the concept and plans for 2014. You can also check them out at the Houston Franchise Expo, Reliant Center February 6th - 8th.

1. Franchising usa
T he ma g a z ine for franchisees
VOL 02, ISSUE 04, feb 2014
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It Is Easy
Being Green
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3 Potato 4
It Is Easy Being Gr
Offering an eco-friendly,
biodynamic approach
to a national franchise
brand, 3 Potato 4 is
serving up delicious
organic, baked not
fried potato fries in its
streamlined 1950’s
themed restaurants.
Today the clever franchise is looking to
grow with those who understand the need
to be green.
Featuring a variety of gluten-free, 99
percent fat-free, non-GMO, hot ‘n’ crunchy
potato snacks, along with the popular
super food, all menu items are vegan or
vegetarian, including the 50 innovative
made-in-house signature dipping-sauces,
dairy-free soups, fair trade beverages, and
desserts.
In business since 2012, a high volume
of interest in the restaurant resulted in 3
Potato 4 franchising in 2013. Today the
restaurant has shops in San Francisco,
Las Vegas, and New Orleans, with
locations soon to open in Pasadena and
Oakland, California. “So many tourists,
schools, medical institutions, veterans,
and independent business owners have
expressed their love for the concept and
desire to bring it to their areas,” says
Guenevere Blanchard, founder of 3
Potato 4.
Franchising USA

3. reen!
The 3 Potato 4 concept originated out of
necessity: A place where everyone could
eat regardless of food allergies or personal
beliefs. Recently cited in the Huffington
Post: “Today the gluten-free food market
is a $4.2 billion dollar industry and
interest has extended to the restaurant
industry as well. A recent study done by
The NDP Group found that 200 million
restaurant visits in the past year included
a gluten-free order. ‘The number of U.S.
adults who say they are cutting down on or
avoiding gluten is too large for restaurant
operators to ignore,’ said Bonnie Riggs,
a restaurant industry analyst for NDP.”
Another study done by Vegetarian Times
shows that 7.3 million Americans are
vegetarians, and an additional 22.8 million
follow a vegetarian-inclined diet, while
Google Trends states public interest in a
vegan diet is higher than ever before. In
addition to the huge consumer demand for
gluten-free products, the simplicity behind
creating a vegan/vegetarian menu that
offers a variety of healthy, tasty treats with
a product that is already so widely loved
made it easy for 3 Potato 4 to fill the niche
in these markets.
3 Potato 4 restaurants are decked out in
a 1950s sci-fi theme. Based on the notion
that in the fifties people were eating
organic, GMO-free potatoes, it speaks
to how the idea of eating organic today
seems futuristic, while the sci-fi traits
tie in to appeal to all generations. Above
all else the brand offers low-pressure,
educational advertising that is fun for
everyone. 3 Potato 4 restaurants feature
fun, informative posters, boosting facts
“Today the gluten-free food market is a $4.2 billion
dollar industry and interest has extended to the
restaurant industry as well.”
such as, “One Potato Has More Potassium
Than a Banana,” and “Potatoes Have 37%
of Your Daily Vitamin C.”
Today 3 Potato 4 is looking for franchisees
to expand in areas throughout the western
states, key markets include California,
Oregon, Colorado, and Louisiana. Seeking
individuals who have a great work ethic
and entrepreneurial spirit, candidates with
backgrounds in marketing, management
or customer service are a great fit for
the type of innovative food concept the
business offers. “Someone who believes in
the benefit of providing their community
with healthier food options is also key,”
Blanchard says, adding that the company
has recently been receiving a lot of
inquiries from professionals who have
been laid-off and are now considering 3
Potato 4 franchises for job stability and
a productive use of working capital. As
banks are also lending less today, the
low investment of a 3 Potato 4 franchise
is considered a lower risk. 3 Potato 4
franchises start at $80,000.
3 Potato 4’s franchising process involves a
step-by-step mutual evaluation designed to
provide both parties with the information
needed to make an educated and informed
decision as to whether or not the company
is right for the individual, and vice versa.
Once a candidate shows interest in owning
a franchise they will chat with a franchise
agent to learn more about the opportunity.
Franchising USA
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3 Potato 4
“If you have a business that is eco-wise, streamline,
and serves a healthy product that people already
know and love, you’re off to a good start.”
kid who loves fries to delicate digestive
seniors who grew up on the crop.” 3 Potato
4 serves the renowned, high-fiber food
and turns it into an eco-wise product with
lots of specialty add-ons such as vegan
bacon bits, Ghost Pepper, and Black Lava
sea salt. Potato options include; russets,
redskins, sweet potatoes, crinkle cut,
purple potato medleys, or curly-Qs.
Highlighting its streamline set up, 3 Potato
4 restaurants can operate in 300 to 1000
sq ft locations, making rent considerably
lower even in major metro areas. The
small space also means most locations
only require one operator, so labor costs
are also low, resulting in higher margins.
Following up with a non-disclosure
document, further discussions are held
before candidates attend a Discovery Day,
and review the FDD. If a match is made,
the new franchisee signs the franchise
agreement and begins training.
Offering a very hands on program,
3 Potato 4 supports the franchisees
throughout their pre-opening, grand
opening, and provides super assistance
with site selection. “We run a lot of
demographic studies in the areas
franchisees request to open in, then we
cross reference the results with population,
foot traffic, public transportation, schools,
property availability and cost per square
footage,” Blanchard explains. “We go
through a check list to help encourage
franchisees to open in an area that is really
going to work for them by supplying a
fluid customer base.” Hosting training at
the franchisee’s space station, Blanchard
travels to their location so they can become
comfortable in the new environment.
Franchising USA
Training covers everything from online
education, operational support, customer
service and practices for training staff,
and financial, management, and marketing
tools. “We guide our franchisees to
running and maintaining their 3 Potato 4
location using our streamlined operating
system,” she says, adding, “We know that
our success is dependent on their success,
that is why we have great interest in being
there when they need help and support.” 3
Potato 4’s current veteran applicants love
the company’s efficient and streamlined
approach, as well as the ease of operations.
“We provide detailed operation manuals
and ongoing training, and our veterans are
quick learners,” Blanchard says.
Setting the quick service restaurant
apart from its competitors is its creative
approach towards organic stability.
“Our mission is to provide food friendly
options in an environmentally friendly
way,” Blanchard says. “3 Potato 4 offers
something for everyone from the energetic
A member and supporters of green
business and shop green initiatives, “Sorry
Kermit, it is easy being green,” laughs
Blanchard, noting the vast variety of
cost-efficient, recyclable, biodegradable,
and compostable packing available today.
3 Potato 4 serves customers the organic
product in a biodegradable paper cone,
and the to-go containers, soup bowls and
coffee cups are made out of potato starch.
“The entire business is biodynamic in that
everything we’re serving our customer
is consumable, compostable, recyclable
or bio-degradable,” she explains, adding,
“We’re using the potato from start to
finish.”
Wishing to share her winning concept,
“If you have a business that is eco-wise,
streamline, and serves a healthy product
that people already know and love,
you’re off to a good start,” Blanchard
says. “Many new franchise concepts are
clever and efficient, replacing the archaic
concepts that have been done over and
over with a new name. Consumers are
asking for healthy options, and we’re
listening!”
For more information:
Website: www.3potato4potato.com