News

PJ's Coffee awards free franchise license to former Marine

June 20, 2019

PJ's Coffee of New Orleans chose Marine Corps veteran Bobby Mounts as the winner of its annual Veteran Franchise License Giveaway. 

Since announcing last year that it would award a veteran with a free franchise license, PJ's Coffee received numerous applications from veterans around the U.S. From those nominations, PJ's Coffee chose the top applicants to go through a comprehensive interview process before selecting Mounts as the winner. 

"I have always wanted to pursue entrepreneurship and I couldn't be more thrilled and humbled to do so through PJ's Coffee," Mounts,39, said in the release. "I am incredibly fortunate to have been awarded this opportunity and I am committed to paying it forward to other men and women who serve our communities and country."

Mounts served in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2008 as an infantry rifleman and eventually became a sergeant. During his service, he was deployed in Iraq in 2004. After serving, he was a police officer for the Monroe Police Department for nine years and has been working for the West Monroe Police Department for the last four years. 

"Policeman, firemen and military personnel are all truly inspiring individuals who devote their lives to serving others, and I look forward to welcoming them in my doors," Mounts said about the unit that is set to open early next year in Ruston, Louisiana. "This community has been my home for nearly two decades and I'm excited to bring the PJ's Coffee to the neighborhood."

Founded in 1978 by Phyllis Jordan, PJ's Coffee of New Orleans was acquired by Ballard Brands in 2008.