Franchise support is often talked about as a buzzword in the restaurant industry, but at Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, support takes on a very real, very tangible meaning. The brand has built one of the most comprehensive training and onboarding systems in the segment — a process that, according to Natalia Pacheco, Senior Director of Training and New Cafe Growth, is designed to set franchisees up for long-term success from day one.
From the moment a new franchisee signs on, Keke’s team begins preparing them for a successful launch. “Following leadership approval and the signing of a development agreement, we partner with franchisees about 12 weeks before opening their doors,” Pacheco said. “We conduct an introduction — this is who we are, and this is how we will partner with you to open your cafe.”
That partnership unfolds in a structured, bi-weekly cadence of meetings with every shared service department: IT, design, construction, marketing, and more. A new cafe coordinator oversees the process, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks, while a project manager handles much of the behind-the-scenes coordination.
“We make sure construction is going well, equipment delivery is on track, and franchisees understand what accounts they need to set up and what orders are coming in,” Pacheco said. “Everyone comes together to make it happen.”
As opening day nears, the cadence moves to weekly meetings focused on hiring and staff preparation. Franchisees are provided with a playbook and participate in a one-week “experience week” to get a real sense of operations. On-site training then follows: four days of robust, hands-on instruction covering both classroom learning and guest-facing execution, capped by a “friends and family” day to put their skills into practice.
“The training environment is fun but very comprehensive,” Pacheco said. “It allows franchisees and their teams to really comprehend the tasks at hand and how they’re going to serve our guests.”
The support doesn’t stop once the doors open. The Keke’s training team remains on-site through the opening weekend, conducting daily debriefs with managers, identifying top performers and areas of improvement, and offering recommendations.
“We’ve built a relationship with franchisees over those 12 weeks, so by the time we leave, they feel comfortable enough to pick up the phone and call us anytime,” Pacheco said. “We also schedule intentional feedback sessions to learn what they enjoyed and what we can improve. That feedback helps us refine our model.”
Within the first 90 days, a brand standards coach also visits each cafe to evaluate operations top to bottom, ensuring franchisees are maintaining Keke’s high standards.
As a fast-growing company, Keke’s recognizes that success depends on the strength of its people. The brand believes that great leadership begins with great training. Its best-in-class management training program is designed to equip new managers with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to deliver the exceptional Keke’s experience its guests have come to expect.
Over the course of an intensive two-week program, managers are fully immersed in what is called The Keke’s Way. This experience centers around the four pillars of the brand: Guest Experience, Quality of Food, Speed of Service, and Cleanliness. Each element plays a vital role in ensuring that every visit to Keke’s feels special, consistent, and memorable.
From the moment a guest walks into a cafe to the moment they finish their meal, Keke’s takes pride in every detail. The focus behind signature dishes, such as its three-egg omelets, the freshness of its hand-cut fruit on the signature Florida Waffle, and the warmth of service, sets the franchise apart in the breakfast segment. Its managers are trained to execute each dish with care and consistency, upholding standards day in and day out.
A typical day for a Keke’s manager goes far beyond operations. It’s about creating an exceptional guest experience, developing future talent, and leading by example. Through the training program, Keke’s empowers managers to embody the values that make it unique, ensuring that every cafe reflects its passion for hospitality, quality, and community.
At Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, training isn’t just about process; it’s about culture. It’s how it continues to grow while staying true to itself.
In 2022, Keke’s was acquired by Denny’s Corporation, bringing decades of operational expertise and resources without compromising the Keke’s identity. This backing elevates the support franchisees receive, strengthening the system’s ability to deliver results.
“Denny’s is a 70-year-old brand and they’ve done this plenty of times,” Pacheco said. “These departments are all from shared services, which makes us that much stronger in terms of the support we can provide. They are very invested in the growth of Keke’s and our franchisees. From construction to real estate to operations — they can provide that guidance.”
Keke’s has already carved out a place in the booming $15.6 billion breakfast and brunch segment with its daytime-only model, strong average unit volumes and high guest satisfaction. What makes the brand stand out even more is its steady focus on helping franchisees succeed.
At Keke’s, support is more than a promise — it’s a playbook, a team and a proven system that has created one of the best investments in franchising today.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://www.kekes.com/franchise.
Keke's Breakfast Cafe
SPONSORED
From pre-opening preparation to on-site launch guidance, Keke's Breakfast Cafe has built a robust training and new cafe opening process designed to equip franchisees for long-term success.
Franchise support is often talked about as a buzzword in the restaurant industry, but at Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, support takes on a very real, very tangible meaning. The brand has built one of the most comprehensive training and onboarding systems in the segment — a process that, according to Natalia Pacheco, Senior Director of Training and New Cafe Growth, is designed to set franchisees up for long-term success from day one.
From the moment a new franchisee signs on, Keke’s team begins preparing them for a successful launch. “Following leadership approval and the signing of a development agreement, we partner with franchisees about 12 weeks before opening their doors,” Pacheco said. “We conduct an introduction — this is who we are, and this is how we will partner with you to open your cafe.”
That partnership unfolds in a structured, bi-weekly cadence of meetings with every shared service department: IT, design, construction, marketing, and more. A new cafe coordinator oversees the process, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks, while a project manager handles much of the behind-the-scenes coordination.
“We make sure construction is going well, equipment delivery is on track, and franchisees understand what accounts they need to set up and what orders are coming in,” Pacheco said. “Everyone comes together to make it happen.”
As opening day nears, the cadence moves to weekly meetings focused on hiring and staff preparation. Franchisees are provided with a playbook and participate in a one-week “experience week” to get a real sense of operations. On-site training then follows: four days of robust, hands-on instruction covering both classroom learning and guest-facing execution, capped by a “friends and family” day to put their skills into practice.
“The training environment is fun but very comprehensive,” Pacheco said. “It allows franchisees and their teams to really comprehend the tasks at hand and how they’re going to serve our guests.”
The support doesn’t stop once the doors open. The Keke’s training team remains on-site through the opening weekend, conducting daily debriefs with managers, identifying top performers and areas of improvement, and offering recommendations.
“We’ve built a relationship with franchisees over those 12 weeks, so by the time we leave, they feel comfortable enough to pick up the phone and call us anytime,” Pacheco said. “We also schedule intentional feedback sessions to learn what they enjoyed and what we can improve. That feedback helps us refine our model.”
Within the first 90 days, a brand standards coach also visits each cafe to evaluate operations top to bottom, ensuring franchisees are maintaining Keke’s high standards.
As a fast-growing company, Keke’s recognizes that success depends on the strength of its people. The brand believes that great leadership begins with great training. Its best-in-class management training program is designed to equip new managers with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to deliver the exceptional Keke’s experience its guests have come to expect.
Over the course of an intensive two-week program, managers are fully immersed in what is called The Keke’s Way. This experience centers around the four pillars of the brand: Guest Experience, Quality of Food, Speed of Service, and Cleanliness. Each element plays a vital role in ensuring that every visit to Keke’s feels special, consistent, and memorable.
From the moment a guest walks into a cafe to the moment they finish their meal, Keke’s takes pride in every detail. The focus behind signature dishes, such as its three-egg omelets, the freshness of its hand-cut fruit on the signature Florida Waffle, and the warmth of service, sets the franchise apart in the breakfast segment. Its managers are trained to execute each dish with care and consistency, upholding standards day in and day out.
A typical day for a Keke’s manager goes far beyond operations. It’s about creating an exceptional guest experience, developing future talent, and leading by example. Through the training program, Keke’s empowers managers to embody the values that make it unique, ensuring that every cafe reflects its passion for hospitality, quality, and community.
At Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, training isn’t just about process; it’s about culture. It’s how it continues to grow while staying true to itself.
In 2022, Keke’s was acquired by Denny’s Corporation, bringing decades of operational expertise and resources without compromising the Keke’s identity. This backing elevates the support franchisees receive, strengthening the system’s ability to deliver results.
“Denny’s is a 70-year-old brand and they’ve done this plenty of times,” Pacheco said. “These departments are all from shared services, which makes us that much stronger in terms of the support we can provide. They are very invested in the growth of Keke’s and our franchisees. From construction to real estate to operations — they can provide that guidance.”
Keke’s has already carved out a place in the booming $15.6 billion breakfast and brunch segment with its daytime-only model, strong average unit volumes and high guest satisfaction. What makes the brand stand out even more is its steady focus on helping franchisees succeed.
At Keke’s, support is more than a promise — it’s a playbook, a team and a proven system that has created one of the best investments in franchising today.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://www.kekes.com/franchise.
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