Operations
Plant-based concept founder hopes to be 'the next McDonald's'
Steele Smiley has created a plant-based concept — Stalk & Spade— in Wayzata, Minnesota.
April 30, 2021 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Paying attention to the fact that 42% of global consumers now call themselves flexitarians or "part-time vegans," serial entrepreneur Steele Smiley has createad a plant-based concept — Stalk & Spade— in Wayzata, Minnesota.
"I believed that I cracked a code on how to make the perfect burger that is plant-based and tastes like the original that everyone has learned to love over the past 20 to 30 years," said Smiley, also the founder of Crisp & Green, a seven-unit Minnesota-based brand that has 21 locations under contract from Florida to Iowa.
Unlike Crisp & Green, which features meat on the menu, Stalk & Spade, is a 100% plant-based restaurant, serving hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, chick'n sandwiches, chick'n nuggets and frozen treats.
U.S. retail sales of plant-based food products hit $7 billion in 2020, which is good news for Smiley, who expects Stalk & Spade, which opened Thursday, to be the next McDonald's via franchising.
"Becoming a national brand like McDonald's takes a lot of power, love and passion," he told FastCasual. "I believe we have the team and product to do it and I think that the timing is right."
The restaurant, which offers mobile/online ordering and contactless delivery and pick-up, has begun franchising both in Minnesota and out-of-state.
"We also plan on building corporate stores and have rapid national growth plans," Smiley said.
About Cherryh Cansler
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