New Orleans-born coffee brand positioned to surpass last year’s milestone, attributing success to franchisees, community involvement and specialty coffee
New Orleans, LA (RestaurantNews.com) What started as a New Orleans coffeehouse founded in 1978, PJ’s Coffee witnessed significant growth and community impact as a beloved coffee franchise in 2023.
In 2023, PJ’s Coffee awarded 30 franchises, totaling 77 licenses. The brand now boasts 214 franchisees, with 49% operating multiple units or committing to developing several locations. With 28 new store openings across various states — Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, Iowa, Florida and New Jersey — in the past year, PJ’s Coffee achieved 100% growth over the course of five and a half years when it reached its 175th location.
For 2024, PJ’s is set to open over 40 locations and showcase an impressive trajectory of expansion to outshine 2023.
“While we pride ourselves in serving the freshest, premium coffee possible, our success is also due to the efforts of our franchisees who exemplify the spirit of PJ’s Coffee,” said VP of Franchise Development Ryan Stansbury. “They serve as community champions who go beyond the coffee cup, actively participating in local events and initiatives. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to excellence, community and their invaluable contributions.”
Several franchisees received accolades in Nashville at the 2023 Annual PJ’s Coffee Conference. Notable mentions include:
Brandy and George Craft (Bossier City, Louisiana): Celebrated trendsetters engaged with local schools, organizations and events, becoming pillars of their community.
The Parikhs and Patels (Huntsville and Madison, Alabama): Exemplary multi-unit franchisees actively participating in chambers of commerce and school associations while supporting local businesses and organizations.
Cherie White (Harvey, Louisiana): A community ambassador who initiated a community art project in her store that guests could participate in to foster a sense of belonging.
Donna Miller (Hammond and Ponchatoula, Louisiana): Multi-unit franchisee honored with a local “Annie Award” for outstanding community service.
Mike and Tyra Harris (Bowie and Silver Spring, Maryland): Outstanding franchisees contributing actively to events and causes in the Northeastern region, enhancing brand recognition.
Mark and Barbara Null (Northlake, Texas): Community-centric franchisees hosting events in support of veterans and local charities, including “A Night in our PJs at PJ’s,” turning their coffee shop into a hub of connection and goodwill.
Bobby and Kristy Mounts from Ruston, Louisiana, received the prestigious PJ’s Franchisee of the Year award for their excellence in franchise management, embodying passion, commitment, and a proactive approach. The Rookie Franchisee of the Year award went to John and Jennifer Whitehead from O’Fallon, Missouri, who continuously demonstrated unparalleled commitment and success.
PJ’s Coffee continued its commitment to veterans with the Seventh Annual Veteran License Giveaway. U.S. Navy veteran Rob Smith from Jackson, Mississippi, emerged as the winner for 2023. Smith, who boasts 11 years of experience as an operations manager for an aerospace and defense technology company, received a waived franchise fee and purchased three additional licenses. He plans to open his first location in the Maryland area.
With franchisees who authentically amplify the impact of a coffee shop by being deeply engaged in the local fabric, PJ’s Coffee anticipates more milestones, partnerships and the continued development of the brand as a beacon of quality coffee and community engagement in 2024.
About PJ’s Coffee
PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans was founded in 1978 by Phyllis Jordan, a pioneer in the coffee industry, and acquired by Ballard Brands in 2008. Under the direction of brothers Paul, Scott and Steve Ballard, PJ’s has grown to over 175 operating coffeehouses, including several internationally, with over 120 more in various stages of development. By showcasing its high-quality beans, superior roasting techniques and pure passion for the art of coffee-making, PJ’s has gained a loyal following in the $100 billion coffee industry and is on pace to hit 300 locations by the end of 2026. The brand serves a wide variety of hot, iced and frozen coffee beverages using small-batch roasted beans, a process designed to craft unique taste profiles only found at PJ’s. It’s also the only coffee franchise to offer a true taste of New Orleans, featuring fresh beignets, a fried French pastry generously sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar. Coffee is the second-most consumed beverage in the world, and PJ’s time-proven approach shows it will continue to be a major force in the industry for years to come. For more information on owning your own PJ’s Coffee franchise, visit PJsFranchise.com or follow PJ’s Coffee on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Contact:
Tiffany Martinez
Champion
817-919-6261
[email protected]
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Source : RestaurantNews