First-time business owner Brittany Willis is diving into the world of franchising amid a global pandemic. In early March, while many were panicking about what would happen next, Willis was signing the deal to open her very own PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans.
Willis is a long-time patron of iconic New Orleans coffee brand, PJ’s Coffee, having been raised in New Orleans. When she was deciding what her very first business endeavor would be, the choice was simple. Being a coffee aficionado and aware of the brands southern roots, hospitality, and overall success, she knew PJ’s Coffee was perfect for her.
“Whenever I go home to New Orleans, PJ’s is one of my first stops, and I got to thinking about how I really wish we had something like PJ’s back in the North Dallas area,” said Willis. “It was me looking at it as an unmet need and the fact that this is such a great brand. It was a no brainer once I used my experience as a coffee patron to assess all the potential opportunities.”
However, not only is Willis facing the tasks of a first-time franchisee during a global pandemic, she is also introducing the brand into a newer market. This will be one of the very first PJ’s Coffee in the Dallas–Fort Worth community.
“I consider myself to be a straight shooter, and I found the transparency from the PJ’s team so refreshing,” said Brittany. “They aren’t just looking to boost their numbers; they’re looking to find candidates that want to join their family – they care about the culture and the success of their individual franchisees.”