Blue Mint Thai Named #1 Asian Restaurant in South DFW for Unprecedented Fifth Consecutive Year, Adds #1 Lunch Spot Honor Amid Major Franchise Expansion
Dallas / Fort Worth, TX (Restaurant News Release) Blue Mint Thai & Asian Cuisine®, the Veteran led, award winning Thai and Asian restaurant brand based in North Texas, has been voted the #1 Asian Restaurant in South DFW for the fifth consecutive year, continuing an unprecedented five year run of recognition across the Grand Prairie, Arlington, and Mansfield, Texas area.
Adding to the milestone, Blue Mint Thai was also voted the #1 Lunch Spot in South DFW for the first time in 2026, further strengthening the brand’s reputation as one of the region’s most recognized restaurant concepts.
The five consecutive #1 Asian Restaurant awards represent an extraordinary achievement for a locally grown restaurant brand that is now transitioning into a statewide and national franchise platform.
“We are incredibly humbled that our community has continued to support and vote Blue Mint Thai #1 year after year,” said Mike Wilson, CEO and Owner of Blue Mint Thai. “Winning once is an honor. To be voted number one for five consecutive years is something we do not take lightly. These awards belong to our team members, our guests, and the communities that have embraced our family and our mission. As we continue to grow, our responsibility is to protect what made Blue Mint Thai special in the first place while continuing our purpose, To Serve and Elevate Others.”
From North Texas Favorite to Growing Franchise Brand
The recognition comes during the most significant expansion period in Blue Mint Thai’s history.
Blue Mint Thai Franchising currently has Letters of Intent representing 10 franchise locations in pre-development, including nine locations planned for the greater Austin metropolitan area and one location in Frisco, Texas.
Blue Mint Thai’s franchise model combines more than 18 years of restaurant history and three generations of authentic Thai family recipes with a streamlined quick service and fast casual operating platform designed for scalability.
The company continues to receive franchise and strategic interest from very-well known national operators, private equity and investors throughout Texas and other United States markets.
Arlington Flagship Moving Toward Fall 2026 Completion
Blue Mint Thai’s next major corporate location is currently under construction in the heart of the Arlington Entertainment District.
The Arlington flagship is expected to be completed in fall 2026 and is being developed as a cornerstone location for Blue Mint Thai’s next phase of growth. In addition to serving residents and visitors throughout Arlington’s rapidly growing entertainment corridor, the flagship is expected to function as an operational, training, franchise development, and brand showcase location.
A limited number of investment opportunities remain available in the Arlington location for qualified investors interested in participating in the project. Interested parties may contact Blue Mint Thai directly for additional information.
Veteran Leadership Driving the Next Chapter
Blue Mint Thai is led by CEO and Owner Mike Wilson, a retired 20-year United States Air Force veteran, former Security Forces Commander, retired law enforcement detective, entrepreneur, community leader, philanthropist, and Executive Pastor.
Wilson acquired Blue Mint Thai in 2023 and began leading the company’s transformation. His approach has centered on preserving the restaurant’s authentic Thai culinary foundation while introducing the operational systems, leadership structure, strategic partnerships, technology, and franchise infrastructure necessary to scale the organization.
Working alongside Wilson is Alisa Dodenhoff, Vice President of Business Operations, a United States Air Force Security Forces Master Sergeant whose leadership spans restaurant operations, organizational development, investor relations, marketing, partnerships, human resources, and community engagement.
Dodenhoff has played a significant role in Blue Mint Thai’s expansion, including helping develop strategic partnerships, to include becoming an Official Partner of the Texas Rangers, and strengthening the operational infrastructure supporting the company’s growing restaurant and franchise platform.
“Our awards are meaningful because they demonstrate that growth and operational discipline do not have to come at the expense of quality, culture, or service,” Dodenhoff said. “As we expand into new communities, our goal is to create restaurants that people are proud to have in their cities while developing leaders and team members who understand that serving and elevating others is at the center of everything we do.”
Military and Community Service Recognition
Blue Mint Thai and its leadership team were also recently recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, known as ESGR, for their support of military service members and commitment to veteran leadership.
The recent honors add another dimension to Blue Mint Thai’s growing list of community and organizational recognitions. The company plans to release a separate announcement in the coming weeks highlighting the ESGR awards, the individuals recognized, and the community leaders who participated in the recognition ceremony.
Military service and community involvement remain central to the Blue Mint Thai culture. The organization actively supports veterans, first responders, schools, nonprofit organizations, civic initiatives, and charitable programs throughout the communities it serves.
Authentic Recipes, Modern Growth
Founded in Texas in 2008, Blue Mint Thai’s culinary foundation comes from three generations of authentic Thai recipes originating from a traditional Thai family from Bangkok, Thailand.
Despite the rapid momentum, Wilson said the company’s priorities remain unchanged.
“The trophies, new restaurants, franchises, and partnerships are exciting, but those things are outcomes,” Wilson said. “Our purpose is still very simple. We want to take care of people, create opportunities, give back to our communities, and serve food that we are proud to put in front of our guests. If we continue doing those things well, we believe the growth will take care of itself.”
About Blue Mint Thai®
Founded in Texas in 2008, Blue Mint Thai & Asian Cuisine® is a faith based, veteran led restaurant brand built on more than 18 years of history, three generations of authentic and fresh Thai and Asian recipes, and a scalable quick service and fast casual operating model.
Blue Mint Thai has been voted #1 Asian Restaurant in South DFW for five consecutive years and was named the #1 Lunch Spot in South DFW in 2026. The company is expanding through corporate development and a selective franchise strategy focused on aligned operators, investors, and strategic partners.
Guided by the mission “To Serve and Elevate Others,” Blue Mint Thai remains committed to operational excellence, community involvement, philanthropy, veteran leadership, and disciplined long term growth.
To learn more about Blue Mint Thai, visit BlueMintRestaurant.com.
To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit BlueMintThaiFranchising.com.
For information regarding the limited remaining investment opportunity in the Arlington flagship location, contact Blue Mint Thai directly.
Media Contacts:
Alisa Dodenhoff
Vice President of Business Operations
alisa@bluemintthai.com
Mike Wilson
CEO and Owner
mike@bluemintthai.com
