In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, host Frank Fiume and guest co-host Drew Alfano, CFE, welcome Russell Clark, founder of American Kolache, a breakfast-focused franchise bringing handcrafted, stuffed kolaches to communities across the U.S. Russell’s journey began not in a bakery, but in fine dining—where he and his business partner worked at Morton’s Steakhouse and later ran pizza franchises for over a decade. But after seeing kolaches named a top food trend on the Today Show, Russell took a chance on the then-unknown Czech-Texan pastry. What started with one small St. Louis shop in 2015 quickly turned into a regional hit, praised for its sausage and gravy kolache, cinnamon rolls, and 6 a.m. comfort food. Today, American Kolache has 15 locations across seven states and is still growing—with a franchise model designed to keep things simple and profitable. Most locations operate in under 1,500 sq ft, with in-house baking, low labor requirements, and hours from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ideal franchisees are hands-on, community-focused, and ready to embrace the early-morning hustle. As Russell says, “The bakery business is a lifestyle—your day starts before sunrise.” With a franchise fee of $39K and typical buildouts under $300K, American Kolache sits at the accessible end of food franchising. But more than the numbers, it’s the brand’s soul that stands out. Russell emphasizes relationship-building, community presence, and customer service that matches the product’s quality. Whether you’re looking for white space, a purpose-driven brand, or a founder who still answers the phone at 10 p.m., American Kolache is rolling out something special—one handmade kolache at a time.
November 6, 2025
