Franchising

Cornbread rolling out franchising opportunities

Cornbread Co-Founder Adenah Bayoh wants to offer a franchise opportunity to "everyone, especially to give the change for minorities and women to run a restaurant they will be proud of."

October 27, 2022

Cornbread Farm to Soul, a fast casual restaurant focusing on savory soul food and family friendly experiences, has launched a franchise opportunity. The three-unit chain based in New York and New Jersey hopes to expand through the East Coast focusing on New Jersey and the New York City area.

Cornbread specializes in soul food creations, including baked mac and cheese, collard greens, yams, chicken, cornbread, catfish, cabbage and peach cobbler.

"Cornbread prides itself on building excellent teams that help serve the community," Co-Founder Adenah Bayou said in a company press release. "We work to connect with communities and learn what they need. Whether through donating meals or partnering with local organizations, Cornbread wants to show the world that we truly encourage positive change."

Bayoh, who is also an IHOP franchisee, and Elzadie Smith, who has a background in culinary arts, developed the brand with Smith's grandmother as their inspiration. She was a farmer and restaurant owner in the South, who passed down her recipes and skills to Smith. Bayoh, a first-generation immigrant, escaped the civil war in her native country of Liberia at age 13. When she first arrived in the U.S., she dreamed of becoming one of the most successful entrepreneurs in her new home. Bayoh worked hard to become the owner of eight restaurants, which include four IHOP franchises in northern New Jersey. She opened her first IHOP at the age of 27, making her one of the youngest franchisees in the country at that time.

As Bayo and Smith set out to open their own fast casual restaurant, they set their hearts on soul food. They also share a passion for second chances and a sense of community, which they display by providing employment and advancement opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals and other types of marginalized populations.

"I want to bring a franchise opportunity to everyone, especially to give the change for minorities and women to run a restaurant they will be proud of," Bayoh said. "We are dedicated to helping future franchisees feel the love customers give us every day as we prepare our chicken, fish and amazing turkey wings from our heart and soul,"