Houston Business Journal - New Orleans coffee chain brewing up new Houston locations

Apr 19th, 2017

PJ's Coffee of New Orleans

A New Orleans-based coffeehouse is cooking up a new batch of Houston locations.

About $3.6 million is expected to be invested as PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans expands by around nine locations in Houston, a spokeswoman told the Houston Business Journal. The coffee company already has three spots in the Bayou City.

PJ’s signed a deal with franchisee Mike Price on the six-year expansion. Although PJ's has locations around the world, the company's only Texas brick-and-mortar locations are in Houston.

“We are thrilled to expand PJ’s Coffee throughout Houston with the company’s first multi-unit franchise agreement,” Price said in a press release. “Many people in our area and our future target markets are familiar with PJ's Coffee — either from their travels to Louisiana, or from experience as a New Orleans local now living in Texas.”

The new locations are expected to open in Conroe, Cypress, Magnolia, Tomball, The Woodlands and Kingwood/Humble, according to the release. Investment costs per unit range from around $184,400 to $527,000.PJ’s Houston locations are at 2222 W. Loop South at the Royal Sonesta, 504 Medical Center Blvd. at the Conroe Regional Medical Center and 2155 Durham Drive in the Heights, which had a delayed opening in 2015.

The coffeehouses serve items such as hot and iced coffee, tea and pastries.PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans was founded in 1978 by Phyllis Jordan, per the release. The company was purchased by New Orleans natives and brothers, Paul, Steven and Scott Ballard in 2008.

The coffee chain has multiple locations in seven states and two in Vietnam. PJ's expects to reach 100 locations this year, per the release.