California-based sandwich chain Sourdough & Co. is preparing to enter the St. Louis market, with six locations planned across St. Louis and St. Charles counties as two local franchise groups bring the growing fast-casual concept to the region.
The first restaurant is expected to open in mid-August at 12340 Manchester Road, Suite B, in Des Peres Corners, at the intersection of Manchester and Ballas roads. Operated by the Mitchell family, the 1,700-square-foot restaurant will serve the brand’s signature artisan sourdough sandwiches, soups, salads and bread bowls.
A second franchise group, led by Leslie Duncan, plans to open its first St. Charles County location at 6121 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters around the same time, followed by a second restaurant at 3732 New Town Blvd. in St. Charles later this fall.
The Mitchell family, whose background includes restaurant management, real estate and property management, first discovered Sourdough & Co. while traveling in Arizona.
“We immediately fell in love with the food and the fresh, all-natural concept,” the family said. “We saw an opportunity to bring something truly different to St. Louis.”
Founded in El Dorado Hills, California, in 2016, Sourdough & Co. began franchising in 2022 and has expanded throughout the western United States under parent company World of Sourdough. The concept centers around naturally fermented San Francisco-style sourdough bread, paired with premium deli meats, soups and salads.
According to the Mitchell family, the naturally fermented bread is what distinguishes the concept from traditional sandwich shops. The proprietary sourdough develops a crisp crust, chewy texture and tangy flavor through a lengthy fermentation process that they say also makes it easier to digest while avoiding artificial preservatives, hormones and steroids found in some conventional ingredients.
First-time guests should expect to find signature sandwiches including the French Dip, Garlic Pesto Turkey and Pastrami Reuben, along with clam chowder served in a classic sourdough bread bowl.
The Des Peres restaurant will feature Sourdough & Co.’s rustic-modern design, complete with reclaimed wood finishes, fresh bread displays and a neighborhood atmosphere inspired by the brand’s artisan roots.
Following the Des Peres opening, the Mitchell family expects to open a second restaurant at 12589 Olive Blvd. in Heritage Plaza in Creve Coeur later this October. A third St. Louis County location is also planned, though details have not yet been announced.
Duncan, who grew up in the St. Louis area before spending decades working in California’s hospitality industry, also plans to add a third St. Charles County location in the future.
The Mitchell family expects to hire about 10 employees for the first restaurant and hopes to become active in the surrounding community through local chamber membership, school and youth sports partnerships, fundraising events and food donation initiatives.
Looking ahead, the family hopes Sourdough & Co. becomes a neighborhood staple across the metro area.
“We believe now is the right time to bring the concept to St. Louis because consumers are increasingly health-conscious and seeking better-for-you fast-casual options without sacrificing quality or flavor,” they said. “Ultimately, success is seeing St. Louis embrace our sandwiches as much as we do and making Sourdough & Co. a go-to destination across the region.”
