Operations

PJ's Coffee percolating with expansion plans

Photo: PJ's

January 17, 2025

Grounded in its New Orleans-born roots, PJ's Coffee is brewing up expansion plans after adding 185,000 loyalty customers in 2024. It also saw a 4% increase in overall transactions, a 6% increase in average ticket size and a 2% increase in sales systemwide compared to 2023, according to a company press release.

Showcasing the popularity of PJ's signature New Orleans-inspired offerings, beignets remained the top-selling item. Catering sales saw a dramatic 214% increase, driven by the launch of PJ's national catering program. Third-party delivery sales contributed to a 38% increase in systemwide sales, with growth averaging 2% month over month.

"This year will be pivotal for PJ's as we continue to prioritize the profitability of our franchisees through strategic initiatives like menu optimization and enhanced marketing efforts," PJ's Coffee Director of Franchise Performance Danielle Roppolo said in the release. "By reassessing and value engineering our menu, we aim to optimize margins while ensuring our unique New Orleans-inspired items continue to drive growth."

Launching enhanced apps

PJ's Coffee is elevating its loyalty program to integrate third-party delivery orders directly into the loyalty system and will deploy call-in service technology to boost catering sales. The brand will also continue to streamline its expansion efforts with the introduction of a Modular Building Concept, and it will debut a menu board design to showcase the flavors and recipes unique to The Big Easy.

Phyllis Jordan founded PJ's Coffee of New Orleans in 1978. In 2008, the company was purchased by New Orleans natives and brothers Paul, Steven and Scott Ballard and has over 190 stores.