Sophia Mitchell
Keke's Breakfast Cafe is a popular breakfast spot with an inclusive vibe and a welcoming atmosphere. The cafe was founded by brothers Kevin and Keith Mahen in 2006 in Orlando, Florida. The name Keke's is a combination of the first syllables of the brothers' names. The cafe has since expanded to 52 locations across Florida and was acquired by Denny's in 2022 for $82.5 million. With its commitment to quality, diverse dining options, and community involvement, Keke's has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. So, is Keke's Breakfast Cafe black-owned?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founders | Brothers Kevin and Keith Mahen |
| Year founded | 2006 |
| Original name | Florida Waffle Shop |
| Renamed | 2010 |
| Number of locations in 2022 | 52 |
| Number of franchised locations in 2022 | 44 |
| Current owner | Denny's |
| Year Denny's bought Keke's | 2022 |
| Purchase amount | $82.5 million |
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What You'll Learn
Keke's Breakfast Cafe is minority-owned
Keke's Breakfast Cafe is a minority-owned business founded by brothers Kevin and Keith Mahen in 2006. The name "Keke's" is a combination of the first syllables of the brothers' names. The Mahen brothers started the business in Orlando, Florida, and it has since expanded to 52 locations across the state by 2022. The cafe has a unique identity and a goal to offer welcoming dining experiences to locals and visitors alike.
The brothers were inspired by the Northeast diners of their childhood in Central Pennsylvania and wanted to bring that experience to Florida. They wanted to create a chic and upscale version of the classic diner, serving typical menu items like waffles, pancakes, and omelets but with a more refined presentation. The cafe uses China plates and silverware, and the tables have granite tops with ceramic-tiled floors, creating a nicer atmosphere than what one might find at a typical Northeast diner.
The Mahen brothers also prioritized using only the freshest ingredients and preparing them to order for each guest. They did not want to use microwaves, opting instead for hand-cracked eggs, fresh fruit cut to order, and real butter and whipped cream. This commitment to quality and freshness, along with their focus on cleanliness and friendly service, has earned them a loyal following.
In 2022, Denny's bought Keke's Breakfast Cafe for $82.5 million, recognizing the brand's consistency in food and service as a unique opportunity in the restaurant space. Despite the change in ownership, Denny's has promised to preserve the cafe's special charm while making operations more efficient and exploring new opportunities. Keke's continues to be a key player in the community, actively participating in local events and working with schools, non-profits, and businesses.
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Founders Kevin and Keith Mahen are brothers
Kevin and Keith combined the first syllables of their names to come up with the name "Keke's" for their breakfast cafe. They founded Keke's Breakfast Cafe in 2006, and their first location was in Orlando, Florida. The cafe was originally called the Florida Waffle Shop, but in 2010, the name was changed to Keke's Breakfast Cafe to reflect the cafe's true identity and its goal of offering welcoming dining experiences.
The brothers wanted to create a chic diner experience, with real glass and granite, China plates, and silverware. They wanted to serve quality food with fresh, made-to-order products in a nice atmosphere. They also wanted to maintain the fast and friendly service that they valued in their favourite diners.
The Mahen brothers' concept was a success, and by 2022, just 14 years after founding the chain, there were 52 Keke's locations across Florida. The rapid expansion of the chain can be attributed to their successful franchise model. The brothers found that franchising was an efficient way to grow their business, as it allowed them to expand into multiple markets without having to invest in new locations or recruit employees.
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The cafe was inspired by Northeast diners
Keke's Breakfast Cafe was founded by brothers Kevin and Keith Mahen in 2006. The pair, who had spent their childhood in Central Pennsylvania, were inspired by the greasy comfort food served all year round in the diners there. They loved everything about those diners, from the smell wafting out of the kitchen to the sound of utensils. They even enjoyed the worn-looking furniture and plasticware.
However, when the Mahen brothers opened their own diner, they wanted it to be more chic than the diners of their youth. They used real glass and granite, China plates, and actual silverware. They also installed granite tabletops and ceramic-tiled floors. As Kevin Mahen told Forbes, "We're not a sausage biscuit, gravy, and grits kind of place. We want to take the quality food, fresh made-to-order products and dress it up a little bit and give it a nicer atmosphere than what you might find at a Northeast diner."
The brothers wanted to create a unique breakfast spot inspired by Northeast diners, but with a more upscale feel. They took the typical diner menu items like waffles, pancakes, and omelets, and elevated them by serving them on China plates with silverware. The Mahen brothers started with just one location in Orlando, Florida, called the Florida Waffle Shop. In 2010, they renamed it Keke's Breakfast Cafe to reflect the cafe's true identity and its goal of offering a welcoming dining experience.
By 2022, just two years after its founding, Keke's had expanded to 52 locations across Florida, all company-owned. The rapid growth was fueled by strong demand from customers, leading the Mahen brothers to sell franchises to keep up with the demand. As of 2022, 44 out of the 52 locations are franchised. The success of Keke's can be attributed to its commitment to using only the freshest ingredients, preparing dishes to order, and providing warm welcomes, fast and friendly service, and a clean environment for its guests.
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Denny's bought the brand for $82.5 million
Keke's Breakfast Cafe, a popular breakfast spot in Florida, was acquired by Denny's for $82.5 million in 2022. The acquisition added 52 units to Denny's portfolio, all located in Florida, the home base of Keke's.
Denny's was attracted to Keke's because of its strong brand identity and potential for expansion. Keke's, founded by the Mahen brothers in 2006, had grown to 52 locations across Florida by 2022, all while maintaining a unique and welcoming atmosphere. The Mahen brothers, Kevin and Keith, started Keke's with the goal of offering a chic and upscale version of the traditional American cafe, serving fresh, quality food with abundant portions and friendly service. Their commitment to quality and community engagement earned Keke's a loyal following.
Denny's CEO, Kelli Valade, recognised the potential of the Keke's brand, stating that the acquisition would provide expansion opportunities. The acquisition of Keke's by Denny's is a strategic move to capitalise on the fast-growing A.M. Eatery segment. By acquiring Keke's, Denny's gains a complementary restaurant concept with strong unit economics and growth potential.
Following the acquisition, Denny's has emphasised its commitment to preserving the unique charm of Keke's while improving operational efficiency. Keke's will operate independently, maintaining its own leadership, strategies, products, marketing, and development initiatives. Denny's plans to utilise its franchise-focused business model to expand Keke's across multiple states, aiming to become the leading A.M. eatery franchisor.
The acquisition of Keke's Breakfast Cafe by Denny's for $82.5 million demonstrates the recognition of Keke's successful brand and the potential for growth and expansion beyond its original Florida locations.
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Keke's has 52 locations, most of which are franchised
Keke's Breakfast Cafe is a popular breakfast spot with an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. The cafe was founded by brothers Kevin and Keith Mahen in 2006 in Orlando, Florida. The brothers were inspired by the diners of their childhood in Central Pennsylvania and wanted to create a unique breakfast spot with a focus on fresh, quality ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere.
The name "Keke's" is a combination of the brothers' names, Kevin and Keith, forming a word that sounds like a chuckle. The cafe started as a single location called the Florida Waffle Shop but soon expanded to additional locations and changed its name to Keke's Breakfast Cafe in 2010.
By 2022, Keke's had grown to 52 locations across Florida, with most of its locations being franchised. The Mahen brothers chose to expand through franchising to maintain the quality of their growing business. This strategy allowed them to exponentially grow in multiple markets without investing their own money in new locations or recruiting employees. As a result, the number of franchised locations increased from 40 out of 43 in 2019 to 44 out of 52 in 2022.
Keke's Breakfast Cafe has become a favourite among locals and visitors alike, known for its comfortable seating, chic decor, and scratch-made menu. The cafe actively participates in local events and works with local organizations, contributing to its popularity and creating a sense of community. The success of Keke's can be attributed to its delicious food, warm hospitality, and smart business moves, making it a beloved fixture in Florida's dining scene.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Keke's Breakfast Cafe is not black-owned. It was founded by two brothers, Kevin and Keith Mahen, in 2006. In 2022, Denny's bought the brand for $82.5 million.
The Mahen brothers, Kevin and Keith, are the original founders of Keke's Breakfast Cafe. They combined the first syllables of their names to come up with the cafe's name. They started the business with the goal of creating a unique breakfast spot inspired by Northeast diners.
In 2022, Denny's Corp. completed its acquisition of Keke's Breakfast Cafe. The acquisition was led by David Schmidt, who now serves as the president of the brand. The new ownership aims to keep the cafe's charm while making it more efficient and consistent across all locations.
