Fort Worth is due to get an exciting new restaurant specializing in a trendy Asian sandwich, with some big names behind it. Called Banh Shop, it's a concept originally founded in 2014 about to catch its second wind and it'll open near TCU at 3051 S University Dr., in the space previously occupied by Pizza Snob, which, bummer, closed in March.

According to president and CEO Ken Myres, the restaurant will open in fall 2023.

Banh Shop has an interesting history: Named for the banh mi, the Asian sandwich that comes on a French baguette and is filled with meats and pickled vegetables, it was originally developed by restaurant guru Mark Brezinski with Braden and Yasmin Wages, the husband-and-wife owners of Malai Kitchen, for Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut).

The first location opened near SMU in September 2014, followed by an outlet at DFW Airport two months later.

Their menu includes Fried Rice Bowl featuring wok-seared white rice, egg, broccoli, scallions, bean sprouts, and cherry tomatoes tossed in garlic soy sauce with choice of protein; pad Thai, the classic noodle dish; Vietnamese-style chicken soup; and five sandwiches including a tofu version of banh mi, and a turkey sandwich on a baguette.

The SMU location closed in 2017, and Yum! sold most of its ownership to a company called Essential Asian. There are now four airport locations including two in Canada, and plans for more, Myres says.

"We have only been operating in airports, but we're looking at expanding and that includes some street-side locations," he says. "The company is still small but we’ve been successful and we have some opportunities with a franchisee who is going to open some locations here in Dallas-Fort Worth including this one in the TCU area and another in Irving."

Myres is a hospitality veteran who worked for many years for the Tony Roma's restaurant chain, including serving as president of the company, as well as Metromedia Restaurant Group (Steak and Ale, Bennigan's, Bonanza).

"I spent quite a bit of time in airports, and that's where I became familiar with Banh Shop," he says.

The TCU location resonated since their original location was also near a university. "It's such a great area with students, plus it has a good lunch and dinner mix," he says.

They expect a bigger offering and broader menu.

"Airports have limited space," he says. "At DFW Airport, our location near Gate C21 has 500 square feet. The street-side locations will still have our signature bowls, soups, and appetizers but with additional items including more sushi. They'll also have an opportunity for an extended bar."