Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Breakfast is booming in Raleigh-Durham, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kekes.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=raleigh-durham-franchise-expansion-2730510" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Keke’s Breakfast Cafe</a> is ready to join the table. The Florida-born concept, known for its unique twists on breakfast classics and focus on hospitality, has identified the Research Triangle as its ideal entry point into North Carolina.“There’s a growing population in Raleigh-Durham as well as an exceptional job market,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardag-tachian-34831025/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=raleigh-durham-franchise-expansion-2730510" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ardag Tachian</a>, senior director of franchise development for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/info">Keke’s</a>. “Within the Research Triangle, well over 300 companies employ over 60,000 people, many of them younger professionals with families.”For a brand like Keke’s, which thrives on a loyal customer base of families, professionals and students, the market offers a wealth of opportunity. Tachian notes that the area’s strong economy plays a big role in creating the right conditions for growth. “Raleigh-Durham’s strong economy and job growth allow for discretionary income to be spent on dining out,” he said.That spending power is backed by the presence of three major universities–Duke, the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University– that bring not only students but also long-term employment opportunities. The steady influx of residents tied to these institutions has helped shape Raleigh-Durham into one of the most dynamic metros in the Southeast.“The three major world-class universities make it a destination for future young professionals and provide long-term growth and expanding employment opportunities,” Tachian said.&nbsp;Beyond the universities and job growth, Tachian sees another factor driving demand: Raleigh-Durham’s emerging reputation as a foodie town. “Many young chefs are moving into the area and opening new restaurants,” he said. “With our fresh, eye-catching presentation and attention to detail, Keke’s Breakfast Cafe would fit right in and will be a very attractive destination.”<h3>Fitting Into the Breakfast Scene</h3>The breakfast and brunch category is competitive in Raleigh-Durham, but Keke’s sees its model as one that can stand out. While national brands are already entrenched in the region, Tachian believes Keke’s brings something different.“Because of our commitment to hospitality and quality of product, we do quite well going head-to-head with the national daytime dining restaurants," Tachian said. Keke’s has built its reputation on pairing quality food with a memorable guest experience. That formula has fueled the brand’s rise in Florida and in other markets, where it continues to grow by honoring local dining preferences while holding fast to the service and standards that define the concept. In Raleigh-Durham, diners will be able to find everything from traditional Southern breakfast plates to modern brunch dishes. It’s the kind of scene where Keke’s believes its menu and hospitality will fit right in.<h3>Local Owners at the Core</h3>As the brand prepares to grow in North Carolina, the focus is on identifying franchisees who understand the community and share the same commitment to quality and guest experience.“We’re very people-focused,” Tachian said. “Firstly, we want to attract franchisees who are people-centric, who want to build and develop their teams and be good Keke’s ambassadors to a new market. Certainly, having restaurant experience helps. However, it’s not mandatory. We like business-savvy individuals who want to get involved in a franchise opportunity that allows them to scale and to create a thriving business for themselves.”Corporate franchise support will play a crucial role in helping new franchisees get established in the market. From real estate to training, Keke’s emphasizes hands-on guidance throughout the process.“Right from the get-go, we work hand-in-hand with our franchisees in identifying the right location,” Tachian said. “Our experienced team will work closely with local real estate professionals and the franchisee to identify the correct location. Our project management team helps oversee the construction process, making sure the cafe is built properly, on time and to specification. And of course, we have a best-in-class training program that ensures the franchisee and their team are well prepared not only to have a successful opening but to grow their business with exceptional customer service.”<h3>Beyond Raleigh–Durham</h3>While Raleigh-Durham is the entry point, the brand has its eye on broader growth across North Carolina. “Certainly, Charlotte would be a market that we would be interested in. Perhaps Asheville would be a market that we would look at down the road,” Tachian said. “But our research indicates that Raleigh-Durham would be the best entry point to the state of North Carolina.”That strategy is bolstered by recent expansion into South Carolina, which helps connect Keke’s Florida base with new markets farther north. “We recently entered into a development agreement for multiple cafes to be built in South Carolina,” Tachian said. “So we’re bridging the gap between Florida and North Carolina. Very soon, there will be several cafes throughout the state of South Carolina. We’re working our way up north through the Carolinas.”<h3>A Natural Next Step</h3>With momentum building across the Southeast, Keke’s sees Raleigh-Durham as both a growth market and a proving ground for its next chapter. The combination of population growth, a diverse dining scene and a culture that embraces brunch makes the region a natural fit.“We think Raleigh-Durham is a great match for what we do,” Tachian said. “It’s a community that values quality food and hospitality, and that’s exactly what Keke’s delivers.”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>.

Keke's Breakfast Cafe Franchise - Target Market Raleigh/Durham - 1851 Franchise

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Franchise in Raleigh-Durham

1851 Franchise

Strong population growth, a vibrant dining scene and a passion for breakfast make North Carolina’s Research Triangle a natural fit for Keke’s Breakfast Cafe’s next phase of expansion.

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

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Expands into Raleigh-Durham’s Triangle

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Following its strongest growth year to date,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kekes.com/franchise">Keke’s Breakfast Cafe</a> is positioning itself for another milestone year in 2026.“There are quite a few milestones,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-ahrendt/">Jon Ahrendt,</a> senior director of franchise relations. “But I would say the biggest one is that we reached our greatest growth milestone. We doubled our previous highest year’s growth target. We opened 19 cafes last year.”Ahrendt said the growth starts with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/info">Keke’s</a> knowing exactly who it is as a brand. That clarity has made it easier to stay focused on the right kind of growth.“Our whole purpose is growth for existing franchisees,” he said. “Helping them grow their individual businesses and growing into new markets and touching new guests. Our overall target is to share as many fresh starts every day to every guest.”<h2>A Concept Built for Longevity</h2>While interest in franchising continues to grow, Ahrendt said several fundamentals consistently draw candidates to the Keke’s system.“People are looking for stability. They’re looking for a great brand that has great support and the ability to properly support a community that they’re really passionate about,” he said.One of Keke’s biggest differentiators is its breakfast-only model. Cafes operate from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., offering a lifestyle-friendly schedule that resonates with franchisees, managers and team members alike.The brand is also seeing increasing interest from professionals in technology-related fields who are evaluating long-term career security in the age of artificial intelligence.“I think they see the advent of AI starting to come in and they’re looking for places to work and put effort where it’s safe from AI being able to take it over,” Ahrendt said. “We will certainly have AI intertwined, but I think it’ll take quite some time before humans want a robot to take their order and serve them. It’s going to feel impersonal and cold.”Instead, Ahrendt likened Keke’s to a modern-day gathering place.“We’re a place to go get that warm breakfast to get your day started,” he said. “The essence of wanting to be around other people is something that humans are based on.”<h2>Fans First, Franchisees Second</h2>Ahrendt noted that many new franchise partners start as loyal guests. The emotional connection they have often turns into a desire to bring the brand home, with 50% to 60% of existing franchisees being fans before investing.&nbsp;“They came in and enjoyed us,” he said. “They might have been on vacation in Orlando, going to Disney World or Universal and they stopped by Keke’s because they saw us on Yelp or heard about us.”<h2>Technology That Reduces Stress and Improves Profitability</h2>Over the past year, Keke’s has made meaningful investments in technology to streamline operations and support unit-level economics. One major initiative is a systemwide rollout of a new POS platform and kitchen display system.“That tool has really helped us with efficiency and really enhanced the experience for all of our team members,” Ahrendt said. “It’s almost a calming force in the kitchen.”Before the change, kitchens were filled with hanging tickets, constant callouts and rising stress levels, but today the workflow is simpler and clearer, with team members knowing exactly where to jump in and support. The new system also allows servers to take orders tableside, sending them directly to the kitchen.”<h2>Catering, Loyalty and Brand Awareness Take Center Stage</h2>Looking ahead to 2026, Ahrendt said Keke’s has two major areas of focus: catering and guest engagement.“We have a good program today, but we’re looking to make it excellent in 2026,” he said. “Everything from what type of ladles we’re using, how we deliver it, who delivers it, how it’s set up once it gets there, all the way to the technology that’s used.”For much of its first 17 years, Keke’s operated without a formal marketing function, but today the brand is taking a more consistent approach to getting its name out through channels like social media, mailers and in-cafe promotions.The brand is also preparing to launch its first loyalty program. It will integrate with the new POS system, creating stronger data connections and more cohesive guest experiences.<h2>Nationwide Expansion Ahead</h2>Keke’s footprint has expanded rapidly in a short period of time. It went from being in just one state at the end of 2024 to now being in seven. The brand’s presence in those seven states will continue to grow in 2026, alongside targeted expansion across the country.“We’ve got interest in the Chicago market, the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast,” he said. “We’re already on the West Coast. We’re already in Las Vegas. Arizona is another opportunity. The Midwest — really everywhere.”Ahrendt believes the brand’s menu and positioning translate well anywhere. “It’s an elevated all-American classic breakfast that just plays well in every market,” he said.<h2>A Message to Prospective Franchise Partners</h2>As Keke’s enters 2026, Ahrendt says the brand is operating with confidence and clarity.“We’ve really solidified who we are. We have a strong brand, an incredible team,” he said. “If you take the next steps to come and get the FDD and set up a discovery day, you won’t be disappointed. I think you’ll be blown away by what we put on the plate, how we do it, and the attention to detail.”Everything the brand does is driven by purpose, and Keke’s is a strong fit for franchise partners who value that kind of intentional approach.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;

After a record-setting year of expansion, Keke’s Breakfast Cafe is entering 2026 focused on smarter growth, stronger franchisee support and technology-driven operations.

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

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Breakfast may be the most underappreciated daypart in the restaurant industry. But for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kekes.com/franchise">Keke’s Breakfast Cafe</a>, it’s a competitive advantage. And&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasjovita/">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">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;

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