30/PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans
Year founded: 1978
units: 49 units
Signature product(s): Espresso Dolce and the Granita
Paul Ballard, who bought his first PJ’s franchise in 1994, now owns the coffee brand. He purchased it from Raving Brands this summer. The recent ownership shift is just one of the major milestones the New Orleans–based chain has experienced over the past five years.
In 2006, the concept’s name changed from PJ’s Coffee & Tea to PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans to reflect it roots rather than its offerings. A redesign introduced that same year reinforced the New Orleans theme.
Ballard is banking PJ’s growth on its coffee beans, roasted in-house. A “Proudly Brew” concept is in the works for high-end restaurants and universities, and PJ’s is exploring distribution channels for whole-bean coffee. Expansion plans target southern Gulf states.
30/Souper Salad
Year founded: 1978
units: 84
Signature product(s): Strawberry Salad and Apple Walnut Salad
It seems unlikely that in a city known for its barbecue and beer one of the country’s most well known salad chains would be born. But that’s what happened in 1978 when Souper Salad debuted in Houston and changed the way Texans looked at salads. Now the whole country is on the entrée-salad bandwagon.
Today Souper Salad is working on a new concept designed to enhance both product offerings and the customer experience. It’s set to debut later this year.
Expansion plans target the chain’s primary market—the Southwest. New restaurants will be a combination of company-owned stores and franchises which the company began offering this year. Within the next five years, the chain plans to open between 40 and 50 new restaurants.
25/Bruegger’s
Year founded: 1983
units: 280
Signature product(s): Plain Bagel and Herby Turkey Sandwich
With new ownership in 2003, Bruegger’s, known for its authentic kettle-boiled then baked bagels, expanded into bread offerings, introduced wraps, and aggressively promoted itself as a lunchtime destination. The strategy paid off. Look for Bruegger’s to open 25 to 30 units this year. New markets include Las Vegas and Boca Raton, Florida.
Even as Bruegger’s focuses on national growth, its leadership team is determined to retain the shops’ neighborhood atmospheres. To that end, each store is encouraged to become part of its community by supporting local causes and organizations through in-kind donations, food, and service projects.
25/Marble Slab Creamery
Year founded: 1983
units: 391
Signature product(s): Sweet Cream
Marble Slab Creamery is a bit of a misnomer. In 1986 the chain switched from using marble, which is porous and chips easily, to granite to make its signature ice cream creations. The concept, which Marble Slab pioneered, remains the same, however: Mix together customer-selected ingredients on a frozen slab.
NexCen Brands acquired Marble Slab in 2007 and intends to refresh the brand’s look every five years to keep things current. NexCen also plans to grow Marble Slab into new markets in the South, Northwest, Northeast, as well as internationally. Today there are stores in 39 states and 11 countries.