Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Breakfast may be the most underappreciated daypart in the restaurant industry. But for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kekes.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lucas-jovita-interview-2731393" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Keke’s Breakfast Cafe</a>, it’s a competitive advantage. And&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasjovita/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lucas-jovita-interview-2731393" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lucas Jovita</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2722276#stories">Keke’s</a> senior director of finance, lies at the heart of turning that advantage into measurable growth.With a deep understanding of franchise finance, operational efficiency and cost management, Jovita is helping&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe">Keke’s</a> navigate everything from labor and food costs to site selection, construction optimization and scaling strategies. Under his leadership, the brand is balancing affordability with a high-quality guest experience, keeping costs low while helping franchisees maximize profitability.&nbsp;As&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/info">Keke’s</a> continues to refine its model and plan for expansion, Jovita is looking ahead to what could be a pivotal year for the brand and the franchisees who are part of its growth story.1851 Franchise sat down with Jovita to discuss the benefits of a limited-daypart model and what’s in store for 2026. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise:&nbsp;When we talk about the breakfast and brunch segment, it inherently has lower food costs. What are the key ingredients in the categories (eggs, dairy, bread, produce, meats)? Where do the advantages lie and how does that compare to full-service operations?Lucas Jovita: From an operations standpoint, the number of ingredients is pretty small. Our top 20 ingredients represent about 60% of everything we buy. So, we have a tight number of SKUs. There’s a lot of velocity with our top 20 items, which helps with waste.Last year wasn’t a great example because of the egg crisis. Eggs are a huge part of what we do (about 12% of everything we buy). But in a typical year, theoretical food costs for breakfast items range from 15% to 20%. Many of those items go through the egg station (about 30 to 40% of what we sell). They’re high-velocity items, easy to cook and have a 15 to 20% food cost. That makes it attractive from a food cost standpoint.That’s excluding the challenges we faced with the avian flu this year.1851:&nbsp;When targeting those food cost percentages for Keke’s, how does that compare with benchmarks in full-service restaurants or the fast-casual/QSR space?Jovita: Full-service depends on the concept. But it’s generally 25 to mid-30%. Our food cost is about five to 10 basis points lower than full-service concepts. Dinner tends to have a higher cost of goods as a percentage of sales and lunch has a little leverage. But breakfast is even better.1851:&nbsp;To what extent does having a limited daypart simplify operations? It obviously reduces waste. But are there hidden cost trade-offs like idle equipment or staffing flexibility?Jovita: There are fixed costs. But limited hours help. For example, if you’re driving $2 million in sales over six hours, really, your busy hours are nine to one. You’re driving most of your sales in that particular window. Labor costs are more efficient because you can schedule team members when it’s busy (as opposed to during slower periods, like in full-service restaurants).Now, with full-day operations, you have unproductive hours after lunch before dinner or happy hour. Whereas here, it’s turn-and-burn. When you’re busy, team members are in. When you’re not, you can cut them. That makes labor more efficient.Limited hours also allow us to have one or two managers per store, depending on volume. Full-day operations might require four or five managers to cover all shifts.1851:&nbsp;But, even in this segment, there are still things squeezing margins. What are the biggest factors and how are you coaching franchisees to mitigate those factors?Jovita: There are three main components: labor, food cost and rent. Labor is a big input cost. Food cost is also important. Rent is critical because the business only has limited hours to generate revenue. So, you don’t want to overextend on rent in a location that looks busy at night but is closed during your operating hours.I’ll give you an example. You wouldn’t want to be next to an NBA stadium because the games played in that stadium are at night. You’d pay high rent – but miss the foot traffic.&nbsp;Selecting the correct site is really key.1851:&nbsp;The last few years have obviously been turbulent economically. Inflation has affected everyone. How are you navigating that without frequent price hikes that could upset your core customers?Jovita: Even with inflation, our guest satisfaction scores and net sentiment are best in class. That gives us some pricing power. We’ve increased prices modestly (while not fully covering input costs). Supply chain efficiency and menu engineering are also a focus. But the ultimate goal is pricing. We’re hoping to price for two-thirds of inflation and find efficiencies to cover the rest. Not all those costs are passed on to guests.1851:&nbsp;In your capital structure and footprint – kitchen size, equipment, square footage – it’s similar to full-service or fast casual, right? How do you optimize fixed overhead to ensure franchisees are profitable?Jovita: Keke’s restaurants saw an impressive average AUV of $2,089,007 in 2024 for all franchised restaurants that reported through the iLumen Reporting Software, with the top half of franchise restaurants seeing net sales of $2,589,666, according to the brand’s most recent Franchise Disclosure Document. * This allows our franchisees to see a bigger return on investment. Brand standards and demand, particularly on weekends, help cover fixed costs.1851:&nbsp;And as you scale more franchise units, when do economies of scale kick in? Are there frictions in realizing efficiencies now?Jovita: Having been a part of a larger system like Denny’s gave us some leverage for contracts, purchasing and support. This allowed us to generate savings and economies of scale, which we maintain today. Technology transitions are helping as well. Construction costs are a focus. We aim to bring them down even more.When you hit a 1.5 to 2 sales-to-investment ratio, that’s the sweet spot. A payback period of three to four years allows any concept to grow quickly.1851:&nbsp;That three to four-year payback seems to be the magic number. Brands that can engineer that model tend to explode because institutional investors and multi-unit operators can see the ROI.Jovita: We’re always working hard to get there. Reducing construction costs is a big initiative and will drive growth.1851:&nbsp;The brands that can do it attract serious growth…Jovita: Next year is going to be massive for us. With the egg crisis behind us, we’re focusing on franchise growth, controlling costs and leveraging technology. The foundation is laid for robust comp sales and profitability.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe">https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe</a>About Keke's Breakfast CafeKeke's Breakfast Cafe is a Florida-born restaurant chain specializing in breakfast, brunch, and lunch favorites. Known for its freshly made meals, Keke's offers a wide range of options, including pancakes, waffles, omelets, and other classic dishes. With a commitment to high-quality ingredients and excellent customer service, Keke's Breakfast Cafe provides a welcoming and relaxed dining experience for customers of all ages. The cafe currently operates in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Nevada, Texas, Colorado and California, with other locations in multiple U.S. states slated in the near future. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kekes.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lucas-jovita-interview-2731393" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.kekes.com</a> and follow Keke's on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.* ( We had 25 franchise restaurants report full-year information through iLumen.)&nbsp;

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Senior Director on Food Costs, Efficiency & Franchise Growth

1851 Franchise

We dig into how Keke's low food cost model changes the math for franchisees - and how it stacks up to full-service, fast casual and QSR operations.

This brand page has been paid for by KEKE'S BREAKFAST CAFE. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Why Breakfast-Only Franchises Might Be the Secret Weapon of Restaurant Profitability

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Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Has Bold Franchise Growth Plans for 2026

Keke's Breakfast Cafe Expands into Sacramento with Three-Cafe Deal from Denny's Franchisees Neetu and Sanjeev Bali

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ORLANDO, Fla.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kekes.com/franchise">Keke’s Breakfast Cafe</a>, the rapidly growing breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant with more than 80 locations, is accelerating its Midwest franchise expansion with Ohio emerging as a key market for future growth. The company is actively seeking franchise partners with long-term plans to develop 25-30 locations across the state.&nbsp;“We believe&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/info">Keke’s</a> will thrive throughout the Midwest, and Ohio sits at the ‘crossroads of America,’” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardag-tachian-34831025">Ardag Tachian</a>, senior director of franchise development at Keke’s Breakfast Cafe.&nbsp;“There are several Ohio markets with strong population density, steady job growth and a favorable cost of living that leaves residents with some extra disposable income.”Keke's is targeting four markets: Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Columbus is attracting young professionals at a higher rate. Cleveland is experiencing a steady revival in dining and its neighborhoods. Cincinnati's growth across the river into Northern Kentucky is creating new retail areas. Dayton has lower real estate costs and a loyal customer base. These markets provide Keke's a clear path from entry-level locations to larger metro opportunities as development in Ohio moves toward the brand's goal of 25 to 30 locations.As Keke’s continues to grow, the brand is looking for franchise partners across Ohio who are strong business leaders, understand how to build and manage teams, and genuinely care about creating a great experience for both team members and guests.&nbsp;“While restaurant experience can certainly be helpful, it is not required,” Tachian said. “We are looking for passionate businesspeople who value hospitality, culture and building strong teams within their communities.”Keke’s ideal real estate opportunities include end cap, free-standing or outlot locations ranging from approximately 3,500 to 4,000 square feet. Patio space is preferred but not required, and the brand favors co-tenancy alongside daily-needs retailers such as higher-end grocery stores and fitness centers. Each Keke’s cafe is expected to employ approximately 35 team members, two managers per restaurant, and additional district leadership roles across each market.With continued franchise momentum and growing interest from prospective operators, Keke’s Breakfast Cafe sees Ohio as one of the brand’s strongest long-term development opportunities in the Midwest.&nbsp;To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe">https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe</a>.&nbsp;About Keke's Breakfast Cafe:Keke's Breakfast Cafe is a Florida-born restaurant chain specializing in breakfast, brunch and lunch favorites. Known for its freshly made meals, Keke's offers a wide range of options, including pancakes, waffles, omelets and other classic dishes. With a commitment to high-quality ingredients and excellent customer service, Keke's Breakfast Cafe provides a welcoming and relaxed dining experience for customers of all ages. The cafe currently operates in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Nevada, Texas, Colorado and California, with other locations in multiple U.S. states slated in the near future. For more information, please visit<a href="http://www.kekes.com/"> www.kekes.com</a> and follow Keke's on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

The breakfast franchise is continuing its Midwest growth push with a focus on Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Identifies Ohio as Prime Target Market With Plans for 25-Plus New Cafes Across the State

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At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kekes.com/franchise">Keke’s Breakfast Cafe</a>, marketing is all about people. Under the leadership of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaashleylaw">Jenna Law</a>, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, the brand has built a marketing engine designed to support nearly 100 locations while preserving the neighborhood feel that made&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/info">Keke’s</a> a fan favorite long before national expansion.“I’ve spent well over a decade in advertising and marketing at agencies as well as large public companies, including Darden Restaurants and Disney,” Law said. “But my love of restaurants goes back to my roots. My father was a corporate executive chef at several well-known casual dining concepts, so our kitchen at home was essentially another test kitchen–my brother and I were always immersed in culinary ideation and the hospitality industry.”She started working in restaurants as soon as she was old enough, from quick-service to fine dining in Chicago. When the opportunity arose to help build Keke’s marketing program from the ground up following its acquisition by Denny’s Corporation, it felt like a full-circle moment.“When the opportunity to join Denny’s to help build Keke’s Breakfast Cafe’s marketing program from scratch came along, it wasn’t one I could pass on,” Law said. “It was a chance to return to the restaurant industry and build a brand that I have enjoyed as a guest many times.”<h2>Building a Franchise Marketing Engine From the Ground Up</h2>When Law stepped into her role, there was little established infrastructure. Rather than seeing that as a hurdle, she viewed it as an opportunity.“From the owned side, building and fine-tuning our digital footprint is an ongoing effort, as there was very little established when this marketing team was founded just over two years ago,” Law said. “We are fully living the ‘building the plane while you fly it’ adage as we examine and enhance everything from our website to social presence to off-premise strategy.”As a franchise, that work is about balancing national consistency with local empowerment. “We design the brand centrally, but we ensure it can be activated locally,” Law said. “The corporate team owns positioning, voice, creative standards and national paid, earned and owned media, while franchisees get localized toolkits and resources that let them plug into their communities.”Every franchisee has access to a portal with pre-approved collateral, clear brand guardrails and agency partnerships when needed. But beyond templates and toolkits, Law emphasizes&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/lucas-jovita-interview-2731393">flexibility</a>.“We seek to provide as many clear guardrails, templates and tools as possible to empower them to be active in their neighborhood,” she said, “plus offer a process for requesting customized materials and support to bring their local initiatives and ideas to life.”<h2>A People-First Approach to Franchise Support</h2>Law is candid about the realities of franchise marketing. “Our relationships with our franchise owners bring both accountability and energy to everything we do," she said. "That partnership is genuinely one of our greatest strengths as a brand."At Keke’s, the guiding principle is simple. “Our most important guiding principle is&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchise-dave-schmidt-interview-2729445">‘People First.’</a> That isn’t a phrase just printed on a poster; it’s ingrained in our culture, and it extends to our franchisee relationships, as well,” Law said. “We don’t send a playbook over email and say, ‘good luck.’ We are invested in each cafe’s success, franchise or company-operated, like it’s our own business.”From day one, new franchisees receive&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/reasons-buy-kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchise-2729573">brand immersion training, new cafe opening playbooks, menu versioning support and technical setup assistance, including local listings and social profiles.</a>“Whether a franchisee needs a high level of support or already has a marketing infrastructure in place, we make ourselves available to meet them where they are,” Law said.<h2>Digital as the Growth Multiplier</h2>As an emerging brand with a modest budget, Keke’s relies heavily on digital precision. “Digital channels enable us to be precise, targeted and easily test as we grow into new markets and try new things,” Law said. “We fully manage optimizing our digital channels to drive sales and traffic at the corporate level to ensure a cohesive strategy, consistency and efficiency.”But for Law, the most powerful lever is insight. “Understand the guest deeply,” she said. “Get out in the field and talk to them; don’t just rely on databases and sales data. Know the guest, know their problems and tell them how your brand solves them. The best campaign in the world won’t move the needle if it doesn’t activate the right channels and resonate with your audience.”She also sees future untapped opportunity in employee-generated content. “Team member engagement, especially in social media, is incredibly powerful,” Law said. “Influencers and UGC are great, but let’s dig into EGC: employee-generated content. When team members feel personally engaged, the guests feel it, and local storytelling creates incredibly powerful connections with the community.”<h2>Protecting the Guest Experience Above All</h2>For all the strategy and storytelling, Law is unwavering on one point:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchise-2730103">marketing cannot outpace operations.</a>“No level of marketing in the world can fix poor guest service and operations,” she said. “It damages the entire brand, not just one location. Don’t invest a dollar into marketing until you can deliver a superior experience to every person driven in by those tactics.”That philosophy aligns with what first drew her to the brand. “It’s something I loved from day one at Keke’s, long before this formal marketing team existed, there was a commitment to excellence in operations and service,” Law said. “That’s how this concept organically grew to more than 50 locations before being acquired, and it’s a story I now get to craft into our messaging.”Through it all, Law remains grounded in the human element that makes franchise marketing uniquely rewarding.“It’s not only the corporate bottom line anymore, but it’s also helping individuals build their businesses and support their families,” she said. “Franchisees have this incredible entrepreneurial spirit that consistently pushes me to think outside the box, be flexible and it naturally generates a pipeline of new ideas from the field.”At Keke’s, national marketing leadership isn’t about controlling the narrative from the top down. It’s about building the systems, relationships and stories that allow every cafe to thrive locally, one guest, one neighborhood and one breakfast at a time.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe">https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe</a>.

Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Jenna Law shares how brand storytelling, digital strategy and franchisee support drive traffic and unit-level performance.

How Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Builds Local Demand Through National Marketing Leadership

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Neetu and Sanjeev Bali are no strangers to the early morning rush. With 25 years of experience as franchisees and nearly three decades within the&nbsp;<a href="https://dennysfranchising.com/">Denny’s</a> system, the duo built a career on the foundational elements of the great American diner. Now, the veteran operators are channeling that expertise into a new direction by signing a three-cafe development deal with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kekes.com/franchise">Keke’s Breakfast Cafe</a>. This move signals a significant expansion for the brand into the growing markets of Sacramento, Roseville and Rocklin, California.<h2>A Shift Toward Modern Breakfast Efficiency</h2>What appealed to the Balis about&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/info">Keke’s</a> was the change in pace. Their existing restaurants require constant oversight, but Keke’s is centered on breakfast and lunch, giving the day a more defined rhythm."We still have Denny’s. But we wanted to pursue a new venture," Neetu said. "It’s a shorter operating window because it’s not 24 hours. But it has strong sales."This shift in schedule represents a major evolution for the Balis. After years of managing the complexities of a 24-hour business, the 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. window offered by Keke’s provides a lifestyle benefit that’s rare in the restaurant industry. Neetu noted that the simplicity of the model was a primary draw, explaining that after the doors close in the early afternoon, "the rest of the day is yours."<h2>Simplicity and Quality in a Growing Market</h2>Beyond the schedule, Keke’s direct approach to the menu stood out to the Balis. Unlike the expansive menus found at traditional diners, Keke’s meals are freshly crafted to order. Menu items emphasize a focused selection of fresh ingredients and elevated American classics, and a clean restaurant layout. It’s about simplicity, and that simplicity allows franchisees to focus on the quality of the food and the speed of service.The Balis say their local experience will shape how they approach each new cafe. They’re looking at fast-growing residential areas and plan to lean on the same fundamentals that have served them well for years: a clean restaurant and strong guest service."We’re going to bring that 24-hour experience of taking care of the guests," Neetu said. "We’ll run a good, clean restaurant with good food, served fast and hot. All of it will make the customer come back."<h2>Building Success Through Team Member Loyalty</h2>The couple also attributes their long-term success to a philosophy of internal stability. In an industry often defined by high turnover, the Balis maintained a remarkably loyal staff, with some team members remaining on their team for 25 years. They believe that if they take care of their staff, those team members will naturally provide the personalized service that Keke’s requires.The breakfast and brunch segment remains in the midst of an evolution of sorts. Moving toward more specialized and modern concepts, the Balis see Keke’s as a perfect Northern California fit. After visiting existing locations in Florida and seeing the positive reception from guests firsthand, their confidence in the brand has only grown.For other entrepreneurs looking at the franchise space, Neetu emphasizes that success requires a mix of financial readiness and a genuine love for people. She believes the Keke's model is ideal for those who are willing to put in the effort during a concentrated window of time."You work hard, you’re done with your day and you go home," Neetu said. "The rest of the time is with your family."To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe">https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe</a>.About Keke's Breakfast CafeKeke's Breakfast Cafe is a Florida-born restaurant chain specializing in breakfast, brunch and lunch favorites. Known for its freshly made meals, Keke's offers a wide range of options, including pancakes, waffles, omelets and other classic dishes. With a commitment to high-quality ingredients and excellent customer service, Keke's Breakfast Cafe provides a welcoming and relaxed dining experience for customers of all ages. The cafe currently operates in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Nevada, Texas, Colorado and California, with other locations in multiple U.S. states slated in the near future. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kekes.com">www.kekes.com</a> and follow Keke's on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Neetu and Sanjeev Bali, longtime Denny's operators in Northern California, have signed a three-cafe deal to grow Keke's in Sacramento, Roseville and Rocklin.

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Why Breakfast-Only Franchises Might Be the Secret Weapon of Restaurant Profitability

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