PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans Signs 7-Unit License Agreement in Lexington
PJ’s Coffee partners with Estepp Energy for 7-unit expansion in Central Kentucky convenience stores.
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PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans has signed a 7-unit license agreement with Estepp Energy to expand its brand in Central Kentucky convenience stores. Estepp Energy operates over 13 stores in the area and aims to enhance beverage options with PJ’s high-quality coffee concepts. This partnership showcases a flexible format, including full cafés and in-store counters.
Why It Matters
This expansion may increase PJ’s Coffee's visibility in Central Kentucky, potentially affecting territory availability for other brands in the region.
PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans has signed a significant 7-unit license agreement with Steve Estepp, founder of Estepp Energy and Coffee Dudes LLC, to expand its presence in Central Kentucky, specifically throughout convenience stores. Estepp, with over 50 years of experience in the convenience store industry, operates more than 13 stores in the region. His partnership with PJ’s Coffee is motivated by a desire to enhance food and beverage options at his stores amid evolving consumer preferences toward higher-quality offerings.
The new PJ's Coffee locations will be designed as full cafés with drive-thrus, in-store counters, and end-cap spots, all featuring the brand's New Orleans-inspired beverages while ensuring a high-quality guest experience. Estepp emphasized the importance of operational excellence and customer service, stating, "Over the years, we’ve always looked for ways to make our stores better and provide our guests with stronger food and beverage options."
Ryan Stansbury, Executive Vice President of Franchise Development for PJ’s Coffee, expressed confidence in the collaboration, citing the Estepp team's operational expertise in convenience retail as key to successfully introducing PJ’s Coffee to the Kentucky market. The company's experience with convenience store operators has yielded strong outcomes across the country, suggesting a robust potential for success in this new venture.
