Building on the momentum of increased sales, leading coffee chain continues innovative plans to elevate customer experience and expansion
New Orleans, LA (RestaurantNews.com) Grounded in its New Orleans-born and brewed roots, PJ’s Coffee experienced a year of monumental growth in 2024 with systemwide increases in transactions, new store openings and notable recognitions. With a strong foundation established, the brand is brewing up an even stronger year ahead.
In 2024, PJ’s Coffee added approximately 185,000 new loyalty customers, saw a 4% increase in overall transactions, a 6% increase in average ticket size and a 2% increase in sales systemwide compared to 2023. 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. Meanwhile, third-party delivery sales contributed to a 38% increase in systemwide sales, with growth averaging 2% month over month.
The year also brought numerous accolades, including recognition in the Franchise Times Top 400, Entrepreneur 500 and Franchise Dictionary Magazine’s Top 100 Game Changers. PJ’s Coffee expanded into its 14th state, opening its first Connecticut location in late November, marking a significant milestone in its regional growth strategy. In the Northeast, the brand strengthened its presence in this key market by opening six new locations, including five in Maryland.
“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,” said PJ’s Coffee Director of Franchise Performance Danielle Roppolo. “By reassessing and value engineering our menu, we aim to optimize margins while ensuring our unique New Orleans-inspired items continue to drive growth.”
Looking ahead, PJ’s Coffee is elevating the customer experience with the launch of a cutting-edge app and loyalty program in partnership with Paytronix. The app will integrate third-party delivery orders directly into the loyalty system, creating a seamless guest experience and driving app ad