Entrepreneurs remain bullish on mix of all-day food and coffee menus and fun, friendly vibe to fuel continued brand expansion in markets across the U.S.
A strong economy and more lending opportunities got many entrepreneurs off the sidelines in 2018. And of that group, many opted to become Just Love Coffee franchise owners, thanks to a business model that’s affordable, easy to implement and offers a fast path to profitability.
“We have seen interest from across the United States and are opening up Just Love Coffee franchise locations in several states, with more on the way,” says D.J. Smith, Marketing Director. “The past year has proven to be a very strong one for our brand’s growth, and based on the conversations we’re having, 2019 will be even better.”
Food & coffee offerings create all-day traffic
A major reason would-be small business owners are eager to explore the Just Love Coffee franchise opportunity is its unique menu. Most coffee shops are just that — coffee-only venues. Just Love has layered a fun, quirky menu of easily prepared items that are great for meals and snacks throughout the day. That creates consumer interest, more business and a steady stream of clientele.
“Just Love Coffee franchises don’t have the peaks and valleys that coffee shops or restaurants have during the day,” Smith explains. “Food items and coffee drinks are made to order, so there’s no risk of spoilage. And because customers aren’t coming only at certain times, there’s no scheduling headaches around the fear that there will be too many, or not enough, staff on hand.”
Small footprint and setup provide location flexibility
Another bonus a Just Love Coffee franchise offers potential owners is the ability to place the business in many locations. Because the menu is largely created on waffle irons, there’s no need for a large kitchen. And Just Love’s design team excels at adapting spaces of all shapes and sizes in busy commercial centers to be open, engaging and workable franchise locations.
“Just Love Coffee is a brand that doesn’t fit in a box, and we mean that literally and figuratively,” Smith says. “Our approach to coffee, food and overall atmosphere is playful and inviting. And we feel the same way about our physical sites — if the space is right for Just Love, we work hard to create the most amazing location possible.”
After the launch of two successful locations in Nashville and Brentwood, Tennessee, one of the hottest areas in the nation, Just Love Coffee is primed for expansion in 2019. Led by an executive team with proven experience in growing franchise systems, Just Love Coffee is an ideal investment for new and experienced entrepreneurs who want to get in on the ground floor of the most exciting business opportunity in the $12 billion U.S. coffee shop industry.
Complementary offerings allow for all-day income that avoids the usual rushes and slow periods associated with food- or beverage-only providers
Owning and operating a Just Love Coffee franchise is a fun and exciting adventure, and thanks to an all-day menu of both food and coffee, it’s one that provides a steady income stream. That’s very different from other food-only or coffee-only brands, and it makes it possible for franchise owners to achieve profitability faster.
“Just Love was founded on the idea of providing great coffee in a fun, relaxing environment,” says D.J. Smith, Marketing Director. “We have created a model that does so and keeps people in the shop and engaged throughout the day. Our food menu was designed along those same lines and has had the same outcome — continuous consumer engagement during operating hours versus peaks and valleys of business.”
Menus offer cross-selling opportunities
Because a Just Love Coffee franchise can offer both food and coffee, it can generate two kinds of business: customers who are looking for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, and those who are in the mood for a coffee drink and also may want a snack.
“Offering a full menu with food and beverage options means that every guest is an upsell opportunity,” adds Smith. “Someone coming in for a latte might be intrigued by the Quinoa Black Bean salad or decide to splurge on a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Waffle. By offering both, Just Love creates a one-stop space for great food and coffee.”
Unique food menu easy to implement
Even better, each Just Love Coffee franchise is designed to quickly and easily implement both menus. Rather than having a full kitchen, Just Love uses waffle irons to create most menu items. That means a smaller footprint and a process that’s easy to train staff on, as well as a unique look and feel that consumers enjoy.
“Just Love Coffee franchise customers love our food — not just to eat, but also to talk about on social media,” Smith says. “We have lots of Womelette photos on Instagram and other sites, with more being added all the time. It’s another way that food and coffee work together to give Just Love Coffee a really strong community profile.”
After the launch of two successful locations in Nashville and Brentwood, Tennessee, one of the hottest areas in the nation, Just Love Coffee is primed for expansion in 2019. Led by an executive team with proven experience in growing franchise systems, Just Love Coffee is an ideal investment for new and experienced entrepreneurs who want to get in on the ground floor of the most exciting business opportunity in the $12 billion U.S. coffee shop industry.
Community partnerships and activities serve as viable and visible ways for franchise owners to showcase Just Love products as well as the story behind the brand
Singing is thirsty work, so when Gospel Music Association planners were organizing the 2017 Dove Awards they knew they’d want beverages backstage. The Just Love Coffee Roasters team was only too happy to make that happen, and after rave reviews was asked to come back for the 2018 event.
“It’s been a great experience serving Love to so many music artists and music industry executives,” says D.J. Smith, Marketing Director. “They reached out to us originally as sponsors, and that wasn’t something that we traditionally do, but we did say that we’d be interested in providing coffee and they loved the idea. That’s how it all got started.”
Coffee stations drew high praise from performers
In 2017, the plan was to create a different backstage experience by placing a mobile espresso cart in the green room for artists, their management and record label executives. That was a big hit, and as award planners worked on a larger green room to accommodate more people, they asked for Just Love’s input. Based on that feedback, a second green room and additional Just Love presence was added for 2018.
“It was just a tremendous experience, and they fell in love with what we did,” Smith says. “We worked with them to make it even better this year by replacing sofas and chairs with pub tables so that people can stand up and have a place to put their coffee. We did two green rooms and a press room this time, so we were in three places during the event.”
Community engagement helps raise brand profile
Certainly not every Just Love Coffee franchise location will have the opportunity to partner with such a high-profile event, but there are plenty of opportunities for community engagement, Smith added.
“That was a great experience for us, and also a lot of fun,” Smith says. “They loved Just Love, both for our great coffee and also learning our story. Working with different organizations, wherever a franchise is, is a terrific way to tell our story outside the physical café, and to show how eager we are to engage with and be a part of the communities we serve.”
After the launch of two successful locations in Nashville and Brentwood, Tennessee, one of the hottest cities in the nation, Just Love Coffee is primed for expansion in 2019. Led by an executive team with proven experience in growing franchise systems, Just Love Coffee & Eatery is an ideal investment for both new and experienced entrepreneurs who want to get in on the ground floor of the most exciting business opportunity in the $12 billion U.S. coffee shop industry.
Nashville Business Journal taps Rob Webb for its annual roster of company leaders noted for their businesses, ethical employment practices, products and more
The Nashville Business Journal has released its 2018 Most Admired CEOs and Their Companies award winners, and Just Love Coffee CEO and founder Rob Webb is on the list.
The awards were given following a process that began with nominations, grouped those people and companies into categories, and then moved through a closed voting process that created the final list.
Brand vision impresses judging panel
While the judging panel had a lot of companies to review, it’s likely that Just Love stood out for its high-quality beverage and food offerings, as well as the story of how it came to be.
“Just Love Coffee has a remarkable history in that it was created not just as a great place to get coffee, but also a warm, welcoming place to eat and hang out with friends,” says D.J. Smith, Marketing Director. “It’s a combination of great products and a business model that is very compelling, and it’s obvious the judges were impressed with Rob’s vision, and what Just Love has been able to do since Just Love began.”
Awards and accolades likely to continue
The concept, products and vision of Just Love that the Nashville Business Journal found appealing are likely going to draw attention from other quarters as well. Just Love Coffee franchise owners also are getting noticed in tier communities, and more awards and honors such as this one doubtless will follow.
“Just Love Coffee franchise owners share Rob’s vision of a business that can do good while it is doing well, and that’s very compelling for people who are evaluating businesses that are making a difference,” Smith says. “Everyone at Just Love will say that they’re not doing this to pick up trophies, but it does show that this is a business that can help franchise owners achieve financial independence while also making a huge difference for their friends and neighbors.”
After the launch of two successful locations in Nashville and Brentwood, Tennessee, one of the hottest cities in the nation, Just Love Coffee is primed for expansion in 2018. Led by an executive team with proven experience in growing franchise systems, Just Love Coffee & Eatery is an ideal investment for both new and experienced entrepreneurs who want to get in on the ground floor of the most exciting business opportunity in the $12 billion U.S. coffee shop industry.
Outstanding coffee and food, great ambiance and strong mission of community support combine to create interest among forward-thinking entrepreneurs
Just Love Coffee Cafe is on track to award at least a dozen new coffee cafe franchises in 2018, positioning the growing brand at the forefront of the $12 billion U.S. coffee-shop industry.
The Nashville-based brand has seen strong local growth since debuting in 2009 as an online coffee service shop to help raise funds for families seeking to adopt children. Thanks to a business model that’s accessible to experienced and new franchise owners alike, Just Love is seeing strong interest across the United States, says President Alan Thompson.
All geographic areas open to franchise development
“Just Love has already exceeded its growth goal for 2018, and more potential franchise owners are in the pipeline,” Thompson says. “From its humble beginnings as a nonprofit, Just Love has become a powerhouse franchise opportunity and is creating excitement in very diverse markets that range from urban cores to suburban areas. That shows the viability and promise of the concept to succeed in every kind of population setting.”
New locations soon will open in Michigan, Texas and Georgia, while Tennessee growth is occurring in Knoxville as well as through infill expansion in Just Love’s home territory in and around the booming metro-Nashville market.
Brand poised to excel in a competitive sector
Many factors explain the explosive growth in Just Love Coffee Cafe franchise locations. The rise of major chains has created a coffee culture in the United States while also getting consumers used to paying higher prices for specialty blends. At the same time, the limited food menu of many national chains created an opening for a model that would not only offer outstanding coffee, but also provide a full breakfast and lunch menu available all day long.
Just Love has grabbed that opening and run with it. A fun, quirky menu, with many items made on waffle irons, is easy to execute and gives franchise owners close to a 50-50 mix on food vs. beverage sales, creating higher revenue and a resulting larger profit margin. Another financial plus is the attractive initial-investment price point, which starts at just over $200,000 — the same or even lower than coffee-oriented brands that don’t offer food.
After the launch of two successful locations in Nashville and Brentwood, Tennessee, one of the hottest cities in the nation, Just Love Coffee is primed for expansion in 2018. Led by an executive team with proven experience in growing franchise systems, Just Love Coffee & Eatery is an ideal investment for both new and experienced entrepreneurs who want to get in on the ground floor of the most exciting business opportunity in the $12 billion U.S. coffee shop industry.
Outstanding coffee is one of many differentiators for Just Love, which is why franchise owners are building business even in the most competitive markets
The United States, its urban areas in particular, doesn’t lack for coffee shops. Even so, some are far better than others, and that’s because they have found ways to stand out and meet consumer demand in attention-getting, positive ways. Every Just Love Coffee Cafe franchise falls into that category, because at Just Love the coffee is the linchpin of a business that offers so much more.
“Just Love was created because our founders love great coffee, and also because they believed that a business can do more than offer great products; it can be a true community asset,” says Alan Thompson, President. “Just Love Coffee Cafe franchise owners show how that’s possible every day.”
First, there’s the coffee
Just Love’s award-winning roasters have created multiple high-end specialty blends for Just Love and have done so without being fussy or elitist. Many retailers, including Whole Foods, have noticed these clean, bright flavors and now carry Just Love-branded products on their shelves. Coffee-driven millennials and other enthusiasts have gravitated to them as well, allowing Just Love franchise owners to enjoy additional income through a thriving bean-retail business.
“Because we work with growers around the world to obtain organic, fair-trade beans, we further Just Love’s mission of creating a loving culture,” Thompson says. “Just Love proves that you can have the highest quality coffee without the pretentiousness — treat every customer with dignity and respect, and they’ll enjoy every visit.”
Ambiance also a key differentiator
Also setting Just Love apart is its vibe, which founder Rob Webb wanted to be family friendly and casual, in line with his original concept of a business geared toward helping people create and grow families. The result is a cafe that allows families and friends to meet up and unwind rather than rush in, order from a harried barista and be hustled back out. Whether it’s a casual business meeting or date night, Just Love has created a relaxed, inviting space similar to European style coffee shops.
Food offerings also create buzz and interest
Certainly not last is Just Love’s diverse food offerings, available all day long. A fun, quirky menu, with many items made on waffle irons, is easy to execute and gives franchise owners close to a 50-50 mix on food vs. beverage sales, creating higher revenue and a resulting larger profit margin.
After the launch of two successful locations in Nashville and Brentwood, Tennessee, one of the hottest cities in the nation, Just Love Coffee is primed for expansion in 2018. Led by an executive team with proven experience in growing franchise systems, Just Love Coffee & Eatery is an ideal investment for both new and experienced entrepreneurs who want to get in on the ground floor of the most exciting business opportunity in the $12 billion U.S. coffee shop industry.
Coffee stations drew high praise from performers
