Famous Toastery's Innovative Approach to Breakfast Inspires Entrepreneur to Pursue Multi-Unit Franchise Ownership

For Jim Buchanan, franchising was always a future possibility. After working as a financial manager for years and founding his own software company, entrepreneurship was something that he was interested in pursuing. But it wasn’t until he came across Famous Toastery that he decided to get serious about moving forward with his plans to invest in a franchise.

Buchanan first experienced Famous Toastery’s superior food and customer service for himself at the brand’s location in Cary, North Carolina. With a line of eager customers waiting outside the restaurant’s doors every single day, he knew Famous Toastery must be serving up something special. That inkling was confirmed as soon as Buchanan took his first bite, which then inspired him to reach out to the brand’s corporate team.

“Everything about Famous Toastery is unique, from its ‘every server is your server’ mentality to its commitment to serving fresh, quality food. The more I learned about the brand, the more I realized this was something I wanted to do,” said Buchanan. “There’s also a lot of room for growth in the breakfast industry. Famous Toastery is bringing a level of innovation to the segment that’s been missing for a while.”

Those innovative efforts are evident in every part of Famous Toastery’s model, starting with its menu. The brand separates itself from national breakfast chains by only serving the best products with an unparalleled level of customer service. It has tapped into something truly different that continues to attract business owners like Buchanan, fueling Famous Toastery’s rapid growth.

Buchanan also decided to buy into the brand because he saw the opportunity to build a business with his family. His three children will all play a part in the franchise, including his son who has been the general manager of a full-service restaurant for nearly a decade.

“We’re thrilled that Jim is making Famous Toastery a family business. Our business model makes it easy for local owners to find the perfect work-life balance—since we focus specifically on breakfast, brunch and lunch, franchisees are free to spend time with their families every single night,” said Robert Maynard, Famous Toastery’s founder and CEO.

Buchanan’s first Famous Toastery location, which will be located in West Cary, is expected to open its doors in late October. He’s also already pursuing multi-unit expansion—he recently signed a lease to open another franchise in Garner. That unit will likely be up and running in the spring of 2017.

“Signing on to open my own restaurants has really given me the opportunity to build something incredible not just for me, but also for my family, the local Cary and Garner communities and the Famous Toastery brand as a whole,” said Buchanan. “By combining my business experience with the skills and talent that my kids bring to the table, we can continue driving the better breakfast segment forward.”