Vegan Gold Coaster’s national takeover by franchising restaurant Greenhouse Canteen & Bar

A GOLD Coast woman is leading the vegan charge by franchising her popular restaurant with the goal to take it nationwide.

Natalie Evans runs Greenhouse Canteen & Bar at Miami and the 27-year old's big dream of franchising her popular vegan restaurant is coming true. The first franchisee has come on-board and the new Coolangatta eatery will be opened later this year. Photo: Richard Gosling

A GOLD Coast woman is leading the vegan charge by franchising her popular restaurant with the goal to take it nationwide.

Natalie Evans, 27, owns Greenhouse Canteen & Bar at Miami and her first franchise will open in September in Coolangatta.

The Elanora woman’s idea to expand her “ve-glam” (up-market take on anti-animal eating) restaurant brand “grew organically” with the increasing demand for plant-based dining on the Gold Coast.

“The aim is to have Greenhouse Canteen & Bar in every capital city nationally,” Ms Evans said.

Natalie Evans runs Greenhouse Canteen & Bar at Miami. She is pictured with her staff Veronica Wnuk, Elise Bayliss, Josie Zavadil, Kalila Purtle, Christine Evans. Photo: Richard Gosling

“But it is imperative they (franchisees) have the same vision.

“Franchising has always been an idea in the back of my mind.”

Ms Evans told the Bulletin she was “excited” about the growth opportunities of her business and looked forward to getting more “like-minded” people spreading the vegan word.

“I’d like people to think Greenhouse Canteen & Bar when they think veganism or vegan food,” Ms Evans said.

The businesswoman said she “tapped into a gap in the market” more than three years ago, starting up Greenhouse Canteen & Bar at Kirra before moving the eatery to Miami.

Natalie Evans runs Greenhouse Canteen & Bar at Miami and the 27-year old's big dream of franchising her popular vegan restaurant is coming true. The first franchisee has come on-board and the new Coolangatta eatery will be opened later this year. Photo: Richard Gosling

Now, she believes she has got the jump on franchising her vegan restaurant.

“You only have to walk down the aisles of your local grocery store to see the plant-based movement is the fast growing market in Australia,” Ms Evans said.

“I can dine at any restaurant and there will be a vegan option.

“People are interested in where food comes from ... from a health perspective and the ethical side.

“To my knowledge there isn’t another vegan franchise (on the Gold Coast or in Australia).”

This year, franchising Greenhouse Canteen & Bar was not the only thing on her mind.

Ms Evans has also established the Greenhouse Bathhouse, which is a communal bathhouse and modern rejuvenation space at the mouth of Tallebudgera Valley.

And she has also established Greenhouse In-house, which gives Gold Coasters the ability to have Greenhouse chef-prepared vegan meals waiting for them in their fridge every night when they get home.