Announcing the Launch of Genesis Program Company Ranch Hand
On behalf of the Genesis Program, I’m excited to announce the launch of our recent investment Ranch Hand, a startup seeking to provide affordable, healthy meal options to students in the UT Community.
The Problem
Upon leaving home, many students struggle to find tasty, healthy meal options. Eating healthy is time-consuming and expensive, and unhealthy food options are easily accessible. As a result, students rarely maintain a steady, healthy diet, and the Freshman Fifteen is a very real phenomenon impacting Longhorns across campus.
Ranch Hand seeks to alleviate this problem by providing affordable, nutritious meals on campus and in surrounding areas. The company fits into a larger consumer trend emphasizing health and wellness. While organic foods account for only 2% of the $500 billion US food industry, the market for these foods is also growing at over 22% per year. As awareness of and demand for locally sourced foods increases, prices for these healthy meal options have skyrocketed. Enter Ranch Hand, providing the same quality of taste and health — but at affordable prices and close to home.
The Founders
Ranch Hand was founded by two UT McCombs MBA students: Quentin Cantu and Brian Murphy. The two come from diverse backgrounds: Quentin’s background is in political consulting, while Brian came to UT after a career in marketing and branding. After speaking to students across campus, the pair realized the pressing need for healthy food options close to the university. To address this need, the two founded Ranch Hand. Quentin oversees the outfit’s operations, while Brian oversees sales and marketing. The two work together to produce their delicious meals, and plan to expand the enterprise beyond UT campus and into the greater Austin area.
Next Steps
Ranch Hand launched their minimum viable product, a campus delivery service, during the Spring 2017 semester. Their service and food quickly became known for its quality and reliability.
Fresh from the success of their delivery-based model, the team has moved to their next stage: serving students directly on campus. Ranch Hand spent the summer outfitting a food truck and will open up on campus over the next month. They have a multi-year contract with the University to serve from two locations: right outside of Gregory Gymnasium (Mon., 11am — 2:30pm) and next to the UT Catholic Center lot @ 2011 Whitis Ave. (Tue. — Sat., 11am — 2:30pm). Check them out at WeAreRanchHand.com to stay in the loop! In the long-term, Quentin and Brian hope to expand their food truck concept to the Greater Austin area and eventually establish a permanent brick-and-mortar location.
Why I Led this Deal by Michael Johns
It is easy for students to slip into bad eating habits during college while juggling the pressures of classes, organizational responsibilities, and social commitments. However, even as two members of McCombs’ intense graduate program, Brian and Quentin refused to let their schedules interfere with their ability to fuel their bodies with healthy, affordable meals. The passion both founders display for wanting to ensure every UT student has access to a healthy, wholesome meal on campus is invigorating. Even more impressive is Ranch Hand’s commitment to using locally sourced proteins and produce whenever possible, allowing each purchase to benefit not only UT students, but also their surrounding communities.
The Genesis Program is excited to help Ranch Hand launch their food truck on campus this coming fall, and we cannot wait to see UT students enjoying the vibrant and local flavors offered by Brian and Quentin. Grab a healthy, tasty bowl Mondays through Saturdays — before it runs out.
