1851

<p>In 2016, Austin Evans and partner J.R. Robinson had a pretty good business idea. &nbsp;<br><br>The meal prep business was booming, but they felt no one was addressing healthier options. By the time we caught up with Evans last year and selected him as one of our Young Ones to Watch, business was booming with 10 franchisees across four states. &nbsp;<br><br>But with the pandemic wreaking havoc on the economy, we wondered: Could young guys like 27-year-old Evans sustain the momentum? &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Let’s find out.&nbsp;</p><h4>1851 Franchise: Remind me what Lean Kitchen does.&nbsp;</h4><p>Austin/J.R So basically, we're the fastest growing meal prep company in the country that's franchising. We have a really cool model. Franchisees do a minimum of two locations, you open your first location that is your sort of commissary kitchen, if you will, that you own. We teach you how to build out a kitchen, we teach you how to make all the meals, recipes, everything. You come to training with us. And then once it's rockin’, you open your subsequent store, and you start transporting meals to that store. Then franchisees might buy a territory where then they'll deliver to their second, third, fourth, fifth locations until that kitchen is maxed out and then so on. &nbsp;</p><h4>1851:&nbsp;How many franchises do you have today?&nbsp;</h4><p>We started franchising in 2018. We currently have 38 franchises sold and, I believe, 16 set to open by the end of this year. So good healthy, growth. It is fast growth, but it's very controlled, we aren’t just selling franchises to anybody and everybody. We don't just award franchises to anybody and everybody. We want successful franchises. That has sort of been the backbone of how we've grown.&nbsp;</p><h4>1851: So what are the distinguishing factors of who you will work with?&nbsp;</h4><p>Evans: I'd say number one, they must have a level of humility. Because franchisees who think they know everything aren't going to be good franchisees in any system. Somebody who's willing to listen and learn. Work ethic, obviously. I've talked to people who are in professions where they look to invest in a business, but they really don't want to work anymore. &nbsp;They want to travel and hang out with their family. That's great. Just not for a franchisee. So I think it’s work ethic, humility, and, honestly, if personalities click. &nbsp;</p><h4>1851: Did you have to make much changes to your business due to COVID-19?&nbsp;</h4><p>Evans:&nbsp;I wouldn't say we hardcore changed it, but we did a little pivot. Our delivery business grew substantially. We already did delivery before, people would order meals by Friday at midnight, and we would deliver to them, or drop them off, or have them ready for pickup on Mondays. Our delivery grew 378% &nbsp;</p><h4>1851: What kind of support did your franchisees need this year? &nbsp;</h4><p>Evans:&nbsp;I wouldn't say anything out of the ordinary, to be honest. I mean, with a pivot we created more graphics and programs around our delivery program. One large change was we decided this year was a great time for us to slow down on new franchise sales, not because it was out of control, but just slow down due to the fact that I wanted to make sure our franchisees have our 100% support and attention throughout this year. So we actually paused our new franchise efforts before from about February or March all the way up until about September. I just pumped the brakes and said we're gonna give all of our attention to our franchisees. &nbsp;</p><h4>1851:&nbsp;Has this year taught you anything?&nbsp;</h4><p>Evans:&nbsp;What I would say is having humility, you know, the first step to being humble is being grateful. So be grateful for what you have. And then humble yourself. You don't know everything. Seek advice. Seek wisdom and knowledge from people who have done what you've done or who have more experience than you. &nbsp;</p><h4>1851: Looking ahead to 2021, what’s in store for Lean Kitchen?&nbsp;</h4><p>Evans:&nbsp;Nothing out of the ordinary, just keep our head down on what we're doing. We're going a very good, very strong, healthy route for our franchise system. And just keep franchisees the sole focus of our business. And like I said, one healthy franchise, one successful franchise at a time. That's the way we'll keep operating.&nbsp;<br><br>&nbsp;</p>

Young Ones to Watch Update: Austin Evans of Lean Kitchen Company

1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise checks in with one last year’s Young Ones to see how they’re faring after the tribulations of 2020. 

young-ones-to-watch-update-austin-evans-of-lean-kitchen-company

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Good Day Columbus: Home Insurance Expert Reveals Why Central Ohio Premiums Are Rising and How to Combat Costs

rising-home-insurance-costs-ohio

CapitalSpring

Primetime Fitness Expands Crunch Portfolio With CapitalSpring’s Backing

primetime-fitness-expands-crunch-portfolio-with-capitalsprings-backing

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees Scale to Multiple Locations

how-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees-scale-to-multiple-locations

Express Employment Professionals

Betting on Himself: How Chris Brown Built an Express Employment Professionals Franchise From the Ground Up

betting-on-himself-how-chris-brown-built-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-from-the-ground-up

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers® Named One of America’s Best Home-Care Providers

comfort-keepers-named-one-of-americas-best-home-care-providers

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Mike Revak - Chief Business Officer - Sky Zone - Franchise Marketing Leaders - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Mike Revak — President and Chief Business Officer, Sky Zone

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-mike-revak-chief-business-officer-sky-zone

What It Really Feels Like To Franchise Your Business

what-it-really-feels-like-to-franchise-your-business

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Cathy Chavenet — Chief Marketing Officer, Paris Baguette

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-cathy-chavenet-chief-marketing-officer-paris-baguette

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Young Ones to Watch Update: Austin Evans of Lean Kitchen Company

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS