Lynn Gordon, the entrepreneur who founded the groundbreaking French Meadow Bakery in 1985, is preparing to launch a chain of coffee shops that will share a similar commitment to organic, all-natural products.

Gordon has acquired the restaurant-franchising rights to Peoples Organic Coffee, a line of free-trade, organic coffee made by European Roasterie Inc. in Le Center. French Meadow has been selling the coffee in its restaurants since 2006.

Gordon plans to bring the coffee concept to street-level retail locations, airports, college campuses and corporate headquarters nationwide, starting with a company-owned store that will open in the Twin Cities in the next 90 to 120 days. Gordon, who also plans to personally own a second Twin Cities store, declined to comment on the local locations because negotiations are ongoing.

In addition to its core coffee offerings, Peoples Organic Coffee Franchise Co.’s shops will sell organic sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts, similar to those sold at French Meadow. Some locations also will sell beer and wine.