Buena Papa Fry Bar on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost and how to buy Latin-infused gourmet French fries
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: In 'Shark Tank' Season 15, Episode 4, Johanna and James Windon want a Shark to bite on Buena Papa Fry Bar, their Colombian-inspired french fry bar chain.
Meet the brand that uses French fries as a foundation for dishes from all around the world.
Imagine your favorite Colombian, Mexican, or Puerto Rican dish served with hand-cut, made-to-order gourmet French fries—that's Buena Papa in a nutshell, and it's growing quickly!
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Johanna and James are on a quest to bring families and entire communities together to discover different flavors and cultures by layering foreign flavors over an American staple food--French Fries.
Buena Papa believes that food brings people together, helping us to bond with personal and family memories and customs.
Food has the ability to create, connect, and unify people while also allowing us to explore the beauty of many flavors and civilizations.
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What is Buena Papa Fry Bar?
When life gives you potatoes, produce gourmet fries--that's the attitude Johanna and James Windon followed when they founded Buena Papa.
Buena Papa, a cuisine company with origins in Raleigh, North Carolina, made its debut in 2021 during the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 epidemic.
The Windons found themselves with a new beginning when their cleaning company, Maid in Raleigh, had to temporarily close due to the health crisis.
Buena Papa is more than simply a French fry bar; it's a melting pot of global flavors and a testament to cultural unification, drawing culinary inspiration from Johanna's Colombian roots and blending it with American fast-food culture.
Buena Papa takes pride in providing a one-of-a-kind, quick-serve dining experience centered on gourmet French fries with an international twist.
Its signature dish, 'The Colombiano,' is a delightful combination of fries topped with Colombian staples such as fried pig belly, beans, and chorizo.
Since then, the restaurant's menu has grown to include dishes inspired by different cultures, such as 'El Mexicano,' which includes sour cream, guacamole, and carne asada, and 'El Italiano,' which has meatballs, sauce, Parmesan cheese, and Italian spices.
The restaurant's menu extends beyond just fries, aiming to establish an atmosphere and sense of community.
James and Johanna have crafted an environment they describe as "vacation-like," amplifying this feeling through their meticulous dish presentation and playful incorporation of "Spanglish" in the dish names.
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Who founded Buena Papa Fry Bar?
Johanna and James are no strangers to the entrepreneurial path. Prior to entering the culinary sector, the pair ran a cleaning service in Raleigh called Maid.
However, the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic forced them to temporarily halt operations. During the days of staying at home and the need for social distance, the Windons began to experiment in their kitchen, which served as the starting point for Buena Papa.
Johanna, who was born in Colombia and migrated to the United States when she was six years old, desired to communicate her Colombian heritage via cuisine.
She was especially fond of 'Bandeja Paisa,' a typical Colombian meal made with pig belly, beans, and chorizo. They realized they were lacking a vital component of the dish-race during a home-cooked supper.
Unperturbed, James suggested a culinary innovation: why not replace rice with the all-time American favorite, French fries? It was in that spontaneous culinary moment that the concept of Buena Papa was born.
In the following weeks, the Windons dedicated themselves to refining their idea after discovering a distinctive fusion of flavors.
Their vision was to create a gathering place for community and culture, all set against the backdrop of "hand-cut, made-to-order" gourmet fries.
They believed in the worldwide appeal of the basic fry, covered with a kaleidoscope of cosmopolitan toppings influenced by Colombia, Mexico, and Italy.
Buena Papa French Fry Bar: Pricing and locations
The Buena Papa French Fry Bar has established four locations, including two in Raleigh, one in Durham, and one in Miami. On Uber Eats, the fries are ranged between $17.94-$19.94.
On Instagram, people raved about the food as they wrote, "Best fries around!" While another person chimed in, "Every bite is an experience!! 🙌."
One person also commented, "So freaking good 😍." Another user said, "My favorite 😋."
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Buena Papa Fry Bar's growing popularity
Just 60 days into launching its nationwide franchising initiative, Buena Papa Fry Bar, a fast-casual restaurant known for its Latin-inspired dishes served over fries, proudly revealed the addition of three new franchisees in North Carolina and one in South Florida.
Buena Papa's fries have become so popular that they have been designated as the "official loaded fries" of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes.
This accomplishment serves as a testament to the restaurant's increasing popularity, driving its expansion, with existing outlets in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina.
Beyond just offering fries, the restaurant aims to serve as a community hub where people can explore diverse cultures without needing to travel.
The Windons have established a culinary niche that celebrates diversity by layering globally inspired toppings on a universally beloved foundation.
Johanna, a Colombian immigrant, sees Buena Papa as a platform to showcase her culture and foster community unity, one delicious fry at a time.
The higher-than-average profit margins of Buena Papa's are luring franchise investors.
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Who will steal Buena Papa Fry Bar's deal?
Fans can anticipate an offer from Barbara Corcoran, a member of the panel. When she extends an offer, it's probable that she will highlight her past successes in franchising.
Mark Cuban, known for his investments in various franchise concepts, might also present an offer. However, it's possible that Kevin O'Leary, Robert Herjavec, and Lori Greiner may choose not to make any offers.
Tune in to watch the latest episode, featuring products such as FairyTail Pet Care, Buena Papa French Fry Bar, Monosuit, and Paddlemash.
Missed episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu. Not just that, viewers can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.