Food & Beverage

Mr Potato Spread set to spread across southeast US

Mr. Potato Spread founders, Aaron and Lakita Spann, at one of their Florida locations. (Photo provided)

June 11, 2021

Jacksonville, Florida-based, Black family-owned restaurant, Mr. Potato Spread, is spreading, if the hopes of founders and husband-and-wife team, Aaron and Lakita Spann, come true as they launch the combination QSR/food truck brand.

And this pair have no doubts they can achieve that goal thanks to the confidence they've built by not only launching the brand first from a home kitchen to a commercial kitchen and food truck and then their first QSR, but also surviving the last pandemic-stricken year, a news release said.

"This has always been a long-term goal for our team," Lakita Spann said in the release. "The support and encouragement that we've received over the years serving our community has prepared us for just this and we're ecstatic for other states, cities and communities to be able to serve our food."

Mr. Potato Spread's menu consists of several potato base options loaded with a variety of meats and cheeses and potato salads. Customers also have the choice to customize their own creations.

Favorites include Hog Heaven, Chicken Bacon Ranch and their famous, The Crab Pot, with shrimp, crabmeat, smoked sausage, sweet kernel corn, hard-boiled egg, signature sauce and topped with Mr.Potato Spread's garlic butter and Old Bay seasoning.

The couple is using Miami-based franchise development firm, Franchise Creator, to offer two different franchise opportunities: a brick and mortar location or a food truck. The brick-and-mortar model requires a one-time franchise fee of $25,000 with an estimated initial investment of $133,800 to $196,300. The food truck requires a $20,000 fee with an initial investment of $83,400 to $109,700.

Both opportunities include a detailed training program, real estate/food truck leases, all kitchen equipment, inventory, supplies and a three-month capital reserve among other benefits. Franchise sales will be focused on the Southeastern U.S.

The brand started in 2014 and has since grown into serving its northeast Florida community with two fixed QSR locations, along with a food truck and offering delivery and catering options.

(All images provided)