Second Location for Famous Toastery Coming to West Cary
Story originally appeared on FoodCary.
Cary, NC – Famous Toastery has been enjoying its location at Colonnades Way in Cary for a while now. And evidently, residents have been enjoying it too because the breakfast restaurant is opening a second location in West Cary.
Famous Toastery, which is currently changing its name from Toast Café
Booming Business in Cary
Famous Toastery, formerly known as Toast Café, is opening its new Cary location in the Weston Corners mall. Franchise owner, Jim Buchanan, said he is both excited and anxious to get started. The plan is for the new store to open in October but he has to wait on some other issues with construction.
“There are some road improvements to install lights and that has to be finished before they let anyone in to do any other work so we need to wait on that,” Buchanan said.
Founder and CEO of Famous Toastery, Robert Maynard, said the success of the Cary store has been “absolutely insane and fantastic.”
“We’re coming in hard in that market. In the next few years, we’ll probably have 10-15 stores in the Triangle area,” Maynard said. “We’re on to something and we don’t take it for granted. We’ve worked hard for that.”
Maynard also said there are locations spreading to D.C., Philadelphia, Texas, New York, Florida and California.
In a 2015 study, CNBC listed Famous Toastery as one of the top restaurant franchises to watch in 2016.
As Famous Toastery opens in Weston Corners, both Buchanan and Maynard said it will need to have some kind of community outreach to connect with residents. And whenever a new location opens, Maynard said the store raises money for a local charity.
“It’s usually something close to the franchisee,” Maynard said.
Importance of Family
At the new Famous Toastery in Weston Corners, Buchanan said he plans to turn the spot into a family business, bringing on his three children to manage the store, marketing and other affairs.
“I’ve been in corporate for many years – as CFO and COO – so I’ve been involved in business for my entire career. My oldest son has managed restaurants for eight to nine years, my daughter has a background in marketing and my younger son has worked in tech,” Buchanan said. “Between all of us, we have a lot of bases covered, especially when it comes to restaurants.”
For the past 10 years, Buchanan said having a family business has been somewhat of a goal for him.
“I want my kids to know what it’s like to have a business, to know the risks and rewards and to have good principles,” he said.
Buchanan also said his oldest son, who would be general manager, has his own family and working at a breakfast restaurant such as Famous Toastery is a good match.
“With breakfast, you can balance work and family,” he said.
Most Important Meal of the Day
The early end to the work day is what Buchanan said appealed to him about Famous Toastery and Maynard said it is one of the nice things about working in breakfast.
“You can go home by 3:30-4 PM and still make a good living,” Maynard said. “It’s one of the upsides to working in this business.”
Despite this benefit, Buchanan said there are not many breakfast options around.
“I think breakfast is an underserved market. There’s lots of innovation in dinner but there hasn’t been as much thought in breakfast,” Buchanan said. “But that’s changing.”
Maynard said this means Famous Toastery does not have a lot of competition and said they catch a wide market.
“Everyone eats breakfast. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are,” he said. “Not everyone eats pizza or burgers every day.”
But Maynard said things are starting to change as more breakfast restaurants are coming out but he said it has not hurt them. Maynard said people underestimate the work that needs to go into operating a breakfast spot and said Famous Toastery has put in the effort to stand out in that regard.
“It helps to have a passion for service,” he said. “It’s not just a business. It’s our baby and it comes out in the way we serve.”
The new Famous Toastery opens in Weston Corners mall in October. If you do not want to wait, there is still the location on 201 Colonnades Way.
The Famous Toastery, formerly known as Toast Café, location on Colonnades Way.
Story and photos by Michael Papich.
Never been there, but Toast Cafe is a much better name than Famous Toastery!
Not my experience at all, Steve. We have been there about 6 times and it was really good each time. Service was good, food came out fast and it was delicious. One of our favorite places to eat in Cary!
Kinda surprised…went there a while ago and was not impressed. Lazy, slow, service; plain food, and all more expensive than I’d expect. Brunch at Lucky 32, just around the corner, is about the same price and breakfast sandwiches at NYBD, also just across the street is much better quality food. They are trying to compete with Briggs and not doing a great job.