French Meadow

What French Meadow does

French Meadow is a Minneapolis-headquartered, founder-owned bakery and farm-to-table restaurant group founded in 1985 by Lynn Gordon as the first organically-certified bakery in the United States. It operates two permanent full-service dining locations — a flagship at 2610 Lyndale Avenue S. in Minneapolis and a second site at 1662 Grand Avenue in Saint Paul — plus a seasonal Minnesota State Fair booth (operating 28 years as of 2025). The Minneapolis campus includes an integrated ecosystem of wholly-owned sub-brands: Bluestem Bar (wine and cocktail program), Nord Social Hall (event venue), Nord Tasting Room (private dining), and the acquired CC Club (historic dive bar and live music venue).

The company produces its menu and bakery items from an on-site scratch bakery generating signature organic yeast-free breads, sourdoughs, and indulgent gluten-free and vegan desserts daily. Inputs are sourced via longstanding — some three-decade-plus — relationships with 12+ local organic farms (e.g., Larry Schultz Organic Farm, Garden Farme, Untiedt's, Wild Acres), distinguishing it as a supply-chain pioneer predating the broader farm-to-table movement.

French Meadow's revenue model is diversified across six streams: dine-in restaurant sales at the two flagship locations plus seasonal State Fair service; takeout/online ordering via ToastTab; drop-off and full-service catering led by a dedicated catering manager; private event venue rentals across multiple event spaces; on-site bakery and custom cake sales (6-inch to full-sheet, $60-$325); third-party delivery marketplace commissions from DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats; and e-commerce gift card sales ($10-$200 denominations). Pricing is unit-based across menu items, per-guest for catering (e.g., $12-$40/person), and cake/venue pricing tiers. Customer segments span health-conscious individual diners, vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free consumers, corporate and private event planners, and annual State Fair visitors, with no enterprise SaaS-style customer concentration.

Name

French Meadow

Legal name

French Meadow

Website

https://frenchmeadowcafe.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

French Meadow is a founder-owned Twin Cities (Minneapolis and Saint Paul, MN) organic bakery and farm-to-table restaurant group, founded 1985 as the first certified organic bakery in the USA, serving vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and omnivore diners across two flagship cafes, a seasonal State Fair booth, event venues, catering, and custom-cake sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Farm-to-table organic bakery cafe restaurant

NAICS

Full-Service Restaurants (722511), Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251), Retail Bakeries (311811), Caterers (722320)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Bakery Products (2050)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm-to-Table & Contemporary American Restaurants (THAFACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Independent Neighborhood Cafes (THAFADAC), Cafe-Bakeries (Coffee + Pastry Focus) (THAFADAG), Cafe-Bakeries (Bakery + Coffee/Foodservice) (THAFAFAG)

Keywords

• Organic bakery cafe
• Farm-to-table restaurant
• Vegan gluten-free dining
• Off-premise catering services
• Private event venue rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Dine-In Restaurant Sales: Full-service dine-in at two flagship locations (Minneapolis and St. Paul) plus Minnesota State Fair seasonal location. Revenue generated from breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and bar (Bluestem Bar in Minneapolis).
2. Takeout and Online Ordering: Online ordering through ToastTab for pickup at both Minneapolis and St. Paul locations, plus wine and beer available with pickup orders.
3. Catering Services: Both drop-off catering and full-service off-site catering for events. Menu includes full breakfast, lunch, dinner selections, bakery items, and specialty cakes. Led by dedicated catering manager Jana Graham.
4. Private Events and Venue Rental: Rental of event spaces including Nord Social Hall (up to 100 guests), Nord Tasting Room (up to 26 guests), Nord Patio (seasonal), and full Bluestem Bar buyout (up to 150 guests cocktail-style).
5. Bakery and Cake Sales: On-site bakery production sold through restaurant menus and direct cake ordering (6-inch and 9-inch cakes, wedding/specialty cakes). Gift cards sold online and in-store.
6. Third-Party Delivery Marketplace: Third-party delivery via DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats at both locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

French Meadow operates farm-to-table organic bakery-cafe restaurants at two Twin Cities locations (Minneapolis Lyndale Avenue and St. Paul Grand Avenue) and a seasonal Minnesota State Fair location, featuring an on-site scratch bakery, a full bar (Bluestem Bar), private event venues, professional catering services, custom celebration cakes, and physical and electronic gift cards. Menus serve omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diners concurrently with farm-sourced organic ingredients.

Product overview

French Meadow operates as a multi-location organic bakery cafe restaurant with event venues. The core offering is French Meadow Bakery & Cafe at two Twin Cities locations (Minneapolis Lyndale Ave and St. Paul Grand Ave) featuring farm-to-table dining with extensive vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Supporting the restaurant are Bluestem Bar (cocktail lounge with private dining), Nord Social Hall and Nord Tasting Room (event venues), and Nord Patio (seasonal outdoor space). Additional revenue streams include catering services, custom cakes, gift cards, and a seasonal Minnesota State Fair location. The company has been operating since 1985 as a pioneer in organic, sustainable cuisine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bluestem Bar: Wine bar and cocktail service at the Minneapolis location featuring sustainable wines, local craft beers, and signature cocktails.
• Nord Social Hall
• Nord Tasting Room
• Nord Patio
• People's Organic

Products and services

• French Meadow Bakery & Cafe Farm-to-table organic bakery-cafe restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and omnivore options, featuring an on-site scratch bakery with signature organic yeast-free breads. Operates at two Minnesota locations: Minneapolis Lyndale Avenue and St. Paul Grand Avenue.
• Bluestem Bar Full-service bar and lounge at the Minneapolis location featuring sustainable and biodynamic wines, local craft beer taps, signature cocktails, and a private dining room. Available for full bar buyouts up to 150 guests cocktail-style.
• Nord Social Hall Private event venue attached to the Minneapolis French Meadow, accommodating up to 86 guests for buffet or plated events and up to 100 guests for cocktail-style events. Hosts community gatherings, private celebrations, and live podcast recordings.
• Nord Tasting Room Private event space at the Minneapolis French Meadow seating up to 26 guests, suited for intimate gatherings, breakfasts, luncheons, and dinners.
• Nord Patio Seasonal outdoor event space adjacent to Nord Tasting Room, decorated with lush flower boxes and string lights, available for warm-weather private gatherings.
• Catering Services Full-service and drop-off off-premise catering across the Twin Cities metro, featuring organic sandwiches, salads, breakfasts, dinner entrees, and bakery items with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, omnivore, and pescatarian menu options.
• Custom Cakes Made-to-order celebration cakes in 6-inch, 9-inch, half sheet, and full sheet sizes, including Vegan Turtle, Rose Cake (vegan and gluten-free), Vanilla Berry Cream, Organic Carrot Cake, Toasted Coconut Cake, Triple Chocolate Mousse, and Nana's Caramel Sundae Cake. Available for weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations.
• Gift Cards Physical gift cards in $25, $50, $100, $150, and $200 denominations redeemable at the Lyndale Avenue Minneapolis location, plus electronic gift cards starting at $10 delivered via email and redeemable at both Minnesota locations. E-gift cards do not expire.
• Minnesota State Fair Booth Seasonal retail location at the Minnesota State Fair featuring freshly baked goods, innovative fair foods (Earth Wings, Earth Sliders, Heirloom Tomato Wild Acres Turkey & Bacon Croissant Sandwich, Nitro Cold-Brewed People's Organic Coffee, Cinnamon Twist, Nana's Caramel Sundae Cake, Bootleg Frappe, Jalapeno Cucumber & Honey Limeade), and People's Organic Coffee, with patio seating. Celebrating 28 consecutive years at the fair in 2025.
• CC Club Historic Minneapolis dive bar and music venue (established 1933) owned by French Meadow since 2013, maintained as a cultural institution with classic character and upgraded bar food.

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted #1 Plant-Based Restaurant by MSP Mag Readers Poll 2022
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alliance for SustainabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023French Meadow's Nord Social Hall hosted the Alliance for Sustainability's 40th Anniversary Celebration on May 18, 2023, featuring Frances Moore Lappe. Founder Lynn Gordon and co-owner Steve Shapiro received the Alliance's Sustainability Award at this event.
• Melissa Gacek (The Watercolor Girl)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Twin Cities-based artist created a custom watercolor portrait of French Meadow's MN State Fair building for the 2022 State Fair, featured on custom water bottle labels. Gacek was introduced to founder Lynn Gordon through the partnership.
• People's OrganiccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022People's Organic is French Meadow founder Lynn Gordon's separate quick-serve chain. People's Organic Coffee is featured at French Meadow's MN State Fair booth and at flagship locations. The brand is fair-trade, small-batch roasted locally by European Roasterie. Lynn Gordon founded People's Organic after her work at French Meadow.
• European RoasteriecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020European Roasterie roasts People's Organic Coffee, French Meadow's signature fair-trade, small-batch coffee featured at the MN State Fair and in espresso drinks. Coffee is locally roasted by European Roasterie and served as People's Organic Coffee brand.
• Untiedt's Vegetable FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Family farm of Waverly providing farm-fresh heirloom tomatoes for French Meadow's MN State Fair offerings. Untiedt's is devoted to sustainable practices and giving back to the community.
• CC ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013The CC Club, a legendary Minneapolis dive bar and music venue (90+ years old, established 1933), has been owned by French Meadow since 2013. French Meadow owner Lynn Gordon maintained the bar's classic character while upgrading the bar food. CC Club is considered French Meadow's 'older, cooler, slightly reprobate sibling.'
• Wild AcrescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Longtime partner supplying hormone-free, free-range turkey for sandwiches and menu items at the Minnesota State Fair and flagship locations. Featured in Heirloom Tomato Wild Acres Turkey & Bacon Croissant Sandwich at the MN State Fair.
• Garden Farme (Bruce Bacon)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1988Bruce Bacon of Garden Farme was the first vegetable farmer French Meadow bought from; French Meadow was his first restaurant client. Bacon was a passionate advocate for organic farming, obtaining organic certification in 1977. He educated French Meadow employees through annual on-site farm programs. Partnership honored until Bacon's passing in 2017.
• Larry Schultz Organic FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985Over 30-year partnership with Larry Schultz Organic Farm supplying all eggs used and served at French Meadow cafes. Schultz farm provides cage-free, free-range, certified organic eggs with no hormones or antibiotics. First award recipient from Schultz farm (first-ever 30 Year Award). Schultz family has farmed organically for 3rd and 4th generation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sweetgreen: National fast-casual salad and bowl chain centered on seasonal, locally-sourced produce with strong digital ordering and delivery infrastructure. Comparable as a scaled, plant-forward chain targeting health-conscious diners; contrasts with French Meadow's full-service, table-service model.
• True Food Kitchen: National health-forward restaurant chain with full bar and seasonal, anti-inflammatory menus featuring plant-based options. Comparable as a broader, scaled player operating in the same organic/plant-forward category with broader menu and bar offerings similar to French Meadow + Bluestem Bar.

Direct peers

• Cafe Gratitude: California-based 100% plant-based farm-to-table restaurant group emphasizing organic, locally-sourced ingredients and indulgent vegan preparations. Directly comparable to French Meadow for its organic-first, scratch-cooking philosophy and ability to position plant-based dining as celebratory rather than restrictive.
• Nightingale Restaurant: Minneapolis farm-to-table restaurant featuring seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients and thoughtful cocktails. Operates in the same market with comparable food ethos, dine-in focus, and emphasis on craft sourcing—directly competing for Twin Cities farm-to-table diners.
• Sunflower Cafe (Cafe Sunflower): Long-running vegetarian/vegan restaurant group (Atlanta, Nashville) offering meatless breakfast, lunch, and dinner with bakery-driven menus. Comparable for shared vegetarian/vegan full-service dining positioning, bakery integration, and emphasis on indulgent rather than restrictive plant-based dishes.
• Birchwood Cafe: Minneapolis neighborhood cafe focused on farm-to-table, organic, and locally-sourced comfort food with strong vegetarian offerings. Closely mirrors French Meadow's independent neighborhood model, organic sourcing ethos, and meatless-forward menu positioning in the same Twin Cities market.
• Spoonriver: Minneapolis farm-to-table restaurant from chef Brenda Langton serving seasonal, locally-sourced menus with notable vegetarian options. Operates in the same Twin Cities market with an overlapping farm-to-table, organic, and seasonal cuisine positioning as French Meadow.

Emerging players

• The Herbivorous Butcher: Minneapolis plant-based butcher shop and prepared-food brand specializing in vegan meats and cheeses. Comparable as a Twin Cities plant-forward brand serving overlapping vegan/gluten-free consumer segments, though focused on retail rather than full-service dining.
• Pat's Tap: Minneapolis neighborhood bar and restaurant emphasizing scratch cooking, local sourcing, and a strong vegetarian/vegan menu alongside omnivore options. Operates in the same Twin Cities market with overlapping dine-in/bar and dietary-flexibility positioning.

Others

• People's Organic: Quick-serve coffee chain founded by French Meadow's own founder Lynn Gordon; People's Organic Coffee is served at French Meadow locations and the State Fair. Related through shared founder and brand ecosystem but distinct business model (quick-serve coffee vs. full-service cafe).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/frenchmeadow
• Facebookfacebook.com/frenchmeadowcafe
• Instagraminstagram.com/frenchmeadowcafe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about French Meadow