Saigon Hustle

Saigon Hustle is a fast-casual restaurant brand that puts a modern spin on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Founded in Houston, Texas, in 2020 by best friends Cassie Ghaffar and Sandy Nguyen, the company aims to make Vietnamese food approachable and convenient. The duo met at the University of Houston and, after pursuing separate ventures, reunited to create a restaurant concept that could scale, often described as the "Vietnamese Chipotle".

The business began in 2020 as a ghost kitchen operating out of Blodgett Food Hall before opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Garden Oaks in February 2022. This initial location repurposed an old gas station and focused on drive-thru and patio service. The menu is centered on customizable Vietnamese classics such as Banh Mi sandwiches, vermicelli bowls, rice bowls, salads, and a variety of rolls, including their signature Saigon Crepe Roll. They also offer pho, wings, and vegetarian options, emphasizing the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The business model is built for efficiency, offering drive-thru, dine-in, delivery, and catering services.

Saigon Hustle's growth trajectory accelerated significantly after winning the Savory Fund's "Million-Dollar Restaurant Launch" competition in 2022, which provided a $1 million investment and strategic mentorship. This backing facilitated the opening of a second, larger Houston location in Spring Branch in October 2024, which includes indoor dining. The founders' ambition is to expand the brand nationwide, with plans for 40 new locations within five to seven years. In 2025, the company announced a major expansion partnership with Savory Fund and Virentes Partners Group, including a 24-unit franchise deal across Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.

Keywords: fast-casual Vietnamese, Banh Mi, Vietnamese food Houston, drive-thru restaurant, modern Vietnamese cuisine, customizable bowls, healthy quick food, locally sourced ingredients, women-owned business, Asian-owned business, restaurant franchise, Cassie Ghaffar, Sandy Nguyen, Savory Fund, food and beverage, hospitality, spring rolls, pho, vermicelli bowls, restaurant expansion