Breakfast is booming in Raleigh-Durham, and Keke’s Breakfast Cafe 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 Ardag Tachian, senior director of franchise development for Keke’s. “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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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 https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe.
Keke's Breakfast Cafe
SPONSORED
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.
Breakfast is booming in Raleigh-Durham, and Keke’s Breakfast Cafe 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 Ardag Tachian, senior director of franchise development for Keke’s. “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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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 https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe.
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