Yampa Sandwich Co. was recently featured in Franchise time as 1 of the 4 Emerging Sandwich Franchises to watch.
Yampa Sandwich Co.
The concept: A sandwich shop with breakfast and lunch items, Yampa got its start in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Premium ingredients are evident in its offerings, such as the Pilgrim with roasted turkey, gouda and cranberry chutney, and the price point of $10-plus per sammie. “We use better ingredients and that certainly reflects itself in our price point,” said co-founder Dave Pepin. “We’re not the cheapest sandwich on the street, and we’re not trying to be the cheapest.”
The stats: Franchising since January 2020, three franchise shops in Denver join two corporate locations, in Steamboat Springs and Fort Collins, with another in the works. Units are 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, and the cost to open is $267,525 to $426,600, including a $25,000 franchise fee.
The competition: “Our competition goes everywhere from Jersey Mike’s, Jimmy John’s, Chipotle, to Noodles … we consider all of them our competition,” said Pepin of Yampa’s premium lunch position. Its food is ideal for off-premises channels, and Yampa stepped up its online ordering and delivery efforts during the pandemic. “We survived and we proved our brand is resilient,” he said.
The challenge: Pepin, who’s also chief brand officer, said a small team means franchise growth is moving slower as he adjusts his mindset from founder to franchisor. “I’m now on the franchise sales side, which maybe isn’t the best place for me because it’s my baby,” he said.
Let’s learn more about Yampa Sandwich franchise opportunities here
