--- title: "Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Sets Bold Growth Plans for 2026" url: https://burnaze.com/article/82ed071d-fdb6-4f69-883e-9c1096301e72 source: "1851 Franchise" original_url: https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/kekes-breakfast-cafe-has-bold-franchise-growth-plans-for-2026-2731631 category: "Bakery & breakfast" industry: "Restaurants" segment: "Bakery & breakfast" published: 2026-03-09T20:15:34.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T16:38:15.726Z image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/1773088494_2731631.png --- # Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Sets Bold Growth Plans for 2026 **TL;DR:** Keke's Breakfast Cafe targets growth in 2026 after doubling expansion last year, with plans to focus on catering and guest engagement. The brand has made meaningful investments in technology to streamline operations and support unit-level economics. *originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2026-03-09. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/kekes-breakfast-cafe-has-bold-franchise-growth-plans-for-2026-2731631).* ## Key facts - Keke's Breakfast Cafe doubled its previous highest year's growth target - 50% to 60% of existing franchisees were fans before investing - The brand is investing in technology to streamline operations ## Story Following its strongest growth year to date, Keke’s Breakfast Cafe is positioning itself for another milestone year in 2026. “There are quite a few milestones,” said Jon Ahrendt, senior director of franchise relations. “But I would say the biggest one is that we reached our greatest growth milestone. We doubled our previous highest year’s growth target. We opened 19 cafes last year.” Ahrendt said the growth starts with Keke’s knowing exactly who it is as a brand. That clarity has made it easier to stay focused on the right kind of growth. ## Brand growth strategy “Our whole purpose is growth for existing franchisees,” he said. “Helping them grow their individual businesses and growing into new markets and touching new guests. Our overall target is to share as many fresh starts every day to every guest.” While interest in franchising continues to grow, Ahrendt said several fundamentals consistently draw candidates to the Keke’s system. “People are looking for stability. They’re looking for a great brand that has great support and the ability to properly support a community that they’re really passionate about,” he said. One of Keke’s biggest differentiators is its breakfast-only model. Cafes operate from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., offering a lifestyle-friendly schedule that resonates with franchisees, managers and team members alike. The brand is also seeing increasing interest from professionals in technology-related fields who are evaluating long-term career security in the age of artificial intelligence. “I think they see the advent of AI starting to come in and they’re looking for places to work and put effort where it’s safe from AI being able to take it over,” Ahrendt said. “We will certainly have AI intertwined, but I think it’ll take quite some time before humans want a robot to take their order and serve them. It’s going to feel impersonal and cold.” Instead, Ahrendt likened Keke’s to a modern-day gathering place. “We’re a place to go get that warm breakfast to get your day started,” he said. “The essence of wanting to be around other people is something that humans are based on.” Ahrendt noted that many new franchise partners start as loyal guests. The emotional connection they have often turns into a desire to bring the brand home, with 50% to 60% of existing franchisees being fans before investing. “They came in and enjoyed us,” he said. “They might have been on vacation in Orlando, going to Disney World or Universal and they stopped by Keke’s because they saw us on Yelp or heard about us.” ## Technology investments Over the past year, Keke’s has made meaningful investments in technology to streamline operations and support unit-level economics. One major initiative is a systemwide rollout of a new POS platform and kitchen display system. “That tool has really helped us with efficiency and really enhanced the experience for all of our team members,” Ahrendt said. “It’s almost a calming force in the kitchen.” Before the change, kitchens were filled with hanging tickets, constant callouts and rising stress levels, but today the workflow is simpler and clearer, with team members knowing exactly where to jump in and support. The new system also allows servers to take orders tableside, sending them directly to the kitchen.” ## Future plans and expansion Looking ahead to 2026, Ahrendt said Keke’s has two major areas of focus: catering and guest engagement. “We have a good program today, but we’re looking to make it excellent in 2026,” he said. “Everything from what type of ladles we’re using, how we deliver it, who delivers it, how it’s set up once it gets there, all the way to the technology that’s used.” For much of its first 17 years, Keke’s operated without a formal marketing function, but today the brand is taking a more consistent approach to getting its name out through channels like social media, mailers and in-cafe promotions. The brand is also preparing to launch its first loyalty program. It will integrate with the new POS system, creating stronger data connections and more cohesive guest experiences. Keke’s footprint has expanded rapidly in a short period of time. It went from being in just one state at the end of 2024 to now being in seven. The brand’s presence in those seven states will continue to grow in 2026, alongside targeted expansion across the country. “We’ve got interest in the Chicago market, the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast,” he said. “We’re already on the West Coast. We’re already in Las Vegas. Arizona is another opportunity. The Midwest — really everywhere.” Ahrendt believes the brand’s menu and positioning translate well anywhere. “It’s an elevated all-American classic breakfast that just plays well in every market,” he said. As Keke’s enters 2026, Ahrendt says the brand is operating with confidence and clarity. “We’ve really solidified who we are. We have a strong brand, an incredible team,” he said. “If you take the next steps to come and get the FDD and set up a discovery day, you won’t be disappointed. I think you’ll be blown away by what we put on the plate, how we do it, and the attention to detail.” Everything the brand does is driven by purpose, and Keke’s is a strong fit for franchise partners who value that kind of intentional approach. ## Entities - 1851 Franchise (publication) - unit expansion (topic) - QSR (sector) - franchise growth (topic) - growth strategy (topic) - Keke's Breakfast Cafe (company) - brand positioning (topic) - technology investments (topic) - Jon Ahrendt (person) --- Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/kekes-breakfast-cafe-has-bold-franchise-growth-plans-for-2026-2731631). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/82ed071d-fdb6-4f69-883e-9c1096301e72).