Vietnamese Pho NoodlesPho Noodle for the Pho Lovers
Pho 24 Coming to the States to Take on U.S. Competition Head-On
I’ve written about a number of pho franchises that exist both in the U.S. and in Vietnam. Most pho franchises tend to start in the states (mostly from headquarters in California) then expand to other states and Canada. Some have been more aggressive and ventured outside North America eastward toward Asia and Australia. There is, however, another aggressive move simmering: Saigon-based pho franchise Pho 24 is coming west to the U.S.
A Houston entrepreneur is in negotiation to bring Pho 24 where no Vietnam-based franchise has gone before, to borrow a certain well-known phrase. The plan calls for a number of Pho 24 restaurants to open over a yet to be announced period of time in key American markets, bringing the most authentic Vietnamese cuisine to sophisticated American palates.
On Pho 24’s menu being offered in Vietnam are a variety of truly authentic pho noodle dishes, together with offerings of various popular Viet broken rice dishes and refreshments.
Pho 24’s name itself describes the restaurant’s offerings. Pho 24 uses 24 “secret” ingredients and spices in its pho broth, which is diligently stewed for 24 hours before it is served. The most common and popular pho bo and pho ga (beef and chicken pho, respectively) each costs $24,000 Viet dollars or US$1.35 (based on mid-May 2009 exchange rate.) Finally Pho 24 restaurants in Vietnam open 24 hours. I guess it remains to be seen if its American counterparts will do the same as well.
Details are still sketchy, but for pho fans in North America, there are reasons to be excited. Oh there’s nothing wrong with your favorite local pho shop. But I must admit that given the chance to taste something authentically close to what’s available in Vietnam, without actually going there, that’s gotta be pretty cool.
When they moved into countries like Vietnam and China, American franchises like McDonald’s and KFC had to make adjustments to their menus to cater to local tastes and to take advantage of local opportunities, strategies and supplies, all while maintaining their brand identity. It will be interesting to see what Pho 24 will do to its cuisine to attract American diners while staying true to its gastronomic roots.
More on Pho 24:
- Eating and Franchising Pho 24 – Bringing Secret Pho Recipe to the World
- Global Pho: Pho Franchises Around the World
- Pho in the Philippines – Battle for Pho Supremacy is Heating Up
- Vietnamese Pho: Franchised and Going Mainstream?
Related pho posts
Posted on Jun 16th, 2009 and filed under Pho Corner: Everything Pho, Pho North America, Pho Việt Nam. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response by filling following comment form or trackback to this entry from your site
