Inside Founder Denise Tran's Unexpected Culinary Journey

Once upon a time, Bun Mee founder Denise Tran was an attorney eating a porchetta sandwich in New York City. That fateful lunch inspired a flash of genius that led to what would become the first Bun Mee restaurant. It was a complete 180-degree career path change that surprised Denise as much as her family, and we sure are glad!

We sat down with Denise to talk to her about her unique journey from law to lemongrass pork and get the story on how she dreamed up a celebrated Vietnamese sandwich eatery that has become a staple in San Francisco’s vibrant food scene. Let’s dig in!

From Vietnam to New Orleans: A Fusion of Flavors

Denise's culinary inspiration blossomed during a solo trip to Vietnam in 2008. Immersing herself in the bustling night markets from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, she was captivated by the street food vendors and their specialized dishes. "One of my fondest memories was of eating different banh mi sandwiches and how each vendor interpreted it," Denise recalls. This experience planted the seed for Bun Mee, a fast-casual restaurant dedicated to crafting gourmet Vietnamese banh mi-inspired sandwiches.

Growing up in New Orleans, Denise was surrounded by a rich blend of Vietnamese and Cajun Creole cuisine, thanks to her immigrant community and her mother's exceptional cooking. This unique culinary background is reflected in Bun Mee's menu, where traditional Vietnamese flavors meet Southern influences. Denise shares, "Our coffee is from Cafe Du Monde," referencing the renowned New Orleans coffee shop that is celebrated for its beignets. Denise’s commitment to highlighting the fusion of her heritage and her present culinary endeavors gives Bun Mee a distinct vibe that sets it apart from any other fast-casual concept.

The Early Days: Challenges and Triumphs

Launching Bun Mee in 2011 was a whirlwind experience for Denise, who had minimal experience in restaurant operations. Despite this, her commitment to learning and growing was unwavering. "I made a lot of rookie mistakes in the beginning," she admits. One significant challenge was sourcing bread from a Vietnamese bakery in San Jose, an hour away from San Francisco. “I had to hire a courier to drive each day to bring us our bread,” she recalls, adding, “Other times, we would run out of bread midday and have to close our shop so I can drive to San Jose to get more bread!” While stressful at the time, this experience taught Denise the importance of having reliable and convenient suppliers, something she now employs in her Bun Mee locations.

Balancing Innovation with Authenticity

Bun Mee is celebrated for its innovative twist on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Denise emphasizes that our goal is to create "craveable delicious food that is inspired by Vietnamese flavors and ingredients." While some menu items are rooted in her mother's recipes, our focus remains on high-quality, fresh, and local ingredients. For the purists,"We do not pretend to be your source for traditional Vietnamese food but we do intend to deliver on craveable sandwich experiences that hit all the right Southeast Asian flavor notes," she clarifies, highlighting our commitment to both authenticity and innovation.

A Personal Favorite: The Sloppy Bun

Among the diverse offerings at Bun Mee, Denise's favorite is the Sloppy Bun, a seasonal item inspired by her childhood memories of sloppy joes in New Orleans. She wanted to recreate this American classic with an Asian twist, incorporating curry and lemongrass flavors. "It's one of those pedestrian dishes that just got a major makeover," Denise explains, noting its popularity and the rave reviews it has received.

Sustainability and Community Focus

At Bun Mee, we are committed to sustainability and local sourcing, prioritizing sustainable paper options and local ingredients whenever possible. Denise acknowledges the balancing act between sourcing quality ingredients and maintaining affordability. "We believe gourmet fast-casual should still be affordable despite the times," she asserts.

Cultivating a Positive Work Culture

Denise fosters a family-friendly work environment at Bun Mee, emphasizing organic culture growth from top leadership. Annual managers' meetings, team-building exercises, and transparent communication are key components. Celebrations, competitions, and MVP awards further enhance the positive and productive atmosphere. "A great culture is organic and comes from the top leadership," Denise believes.

Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations

Running Bun Mee has taught Denise the importance of diligence, constant fine-tuning, and the pivotal role of her team. "Your people will make or break you," she reflects. Looking ahead, Denise is excited about new menu developments, technological investments, and expanding Bun Mee into a national brand. "We want to be the Shake Shack of Vietnamese Sandwiches," she envisions.

Advice for Aspiring Restaurateurs

Denise offers sage advice for those entering the restaurant industry: "Have realistic expectations, be prepared to do the grunt work, develop strong processes, invest in your people, mind your money, have good relationships with banks, have a mentor, and have a vision and point of view of what you are trying to accomplish." She stresses the importance of adaptability in an ever-changing business landscape.

Now’s the Time to ‘Join Mee!’

Now that more than a decade has passed and we’re poised to bring fresh, Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual flavor to all four corners of the United States, it’s hard to imagine a world without Bun Mee. Now is an especially exciting time for Denise and the rest of the Bun Mee family, because we’re getting ready to bring Bun Mee to a whole new set of fans across the country! As we continue to grow, Denise's vision and leadership will undoubtedly inspire many in the fast-casual dining industry, including the franchise owners she selects to bring the first Bun Mee restaurants to their community. 

If you’re interested in getting in on the ground floor of something huge in the booming fast-casual industry, Denise and her executive team are currently awarding franchises in select U.S. cities. Visit our franchise page today to learn how you can pre-qualify for our Franchise Discovery Process.