A coffee and beignet concept inspired by New Orleans is preparing to make its Central Ohio debut, with a new location planned for 7381 State Route 3 in Westerville.
Beignets & Brew is currently under construction and is targeting an opening toward the end of September, according to Kundan R, the co- franchise owner developing the Westerville location, and Adam Alfonso, one of the brand’s founders, who spoke with WhatNow Columbus.
Kundan will operate the Westerville location with a business partner. A separate franchisee is developing another Beignets & Brew location in Hilliard, which is expected to follow the Westerville opening by approximately five to six weeks.
For Kundan, the decision to join Beignets & Brew came after discovering the concept while visiting Destin, Florida. After trying the menu, he said the combination of fresh-made beignets, speciality coffee and refreshers stood out from other franchise opportunities.
“We like the concept so much that we want to bring this flavor to Ohio,” Kundan said.
Kundan has lived in the Columbus area since 2008 and has approximately 20 years of experience in the IT industry. Although he has experience operating other businesses, Beignets & Brew will be his first food-industry franchise.
Kundan said he explored several restaurant and coffee concepts before selecting Beignets & Brew, with the brand’s made-to-order beignets being one of the biggest draws.
Unlike doughnuts or pastries prepared earlier in the day, Beignets & Brew’s beignets are made fresh to order.
“They are freshly made to order,” Kundan said. “So that stands out to other franchisees that do donuts or any other food.”
The concept’s roots are closely tied to New Orleans food culture. Alfonso said the founders grew up around the New Orleans area, where beignets were associated with family gatherings, celebrations and spending time together.
“For everybody who’s not familiar with beignets, of course, it’s a French doughnut,” Alfonso said. “It’s a square-cut doughnut topped with powdered sugar.”
While the traditional pastry remains central to the brand, Beignets & Brew adds its own variations. The menu includes beignets such as cinnamon sugar, Cinna Swirl, which is topped with cinnamon-roll icing, and Nutella.
Alfonso said the company also regularly introduces limited-time offerings, with new beignet and coffee combinations typically launched every six to eight weeks.
Current and past flavours have included strawberry cheesecake, s’mores and beignets filled with Chantilly cream.
The brand also pairs its beignets with speciality coffee and other beverages. Breakfast sandwiches are also available, and the company plans to continue developing its menu as it grows.
For the Westerville location, Kundan said the restaurant will offer the brand’s full menu, including beignets, breakfast items, coffee and refreshers.
“We will host the entire menu here in the restaurant,” Kundan said.
Seasonal offerings will also be introduced throughout the year, including items tied to seasons and holidays such as spring, fall and Halloween. Kundan said the team may eventually work with the corporate team to develop flavours specifically suited to the Columbus market.
The Westerville restaurant is being designed as a place where customers can stay rather than simply pick up a drink or pastry. The location is expected to have seating for approximately 40 people.
“We are building this location to just not come and take the coffee,” Kundan said. “People can come, sit, and enjoy the coffee and hot beignets.”
Alfonso said that emphasis on the customer experience is central to the Beignets & Brew brand.
The company wants its restaurants to provide an environment where customers can spend time with family and friends, rather than simply grab food and leave.
“We want to make sure that the experience is full and well-rounded, from the feel and the look to the experience and the taste of the product,” Alfonso said.
The company also encourages its franchisees to become involved in their local communities, including supporting schools, charities and other organisations.
“We like to make sure that the locations are locally owned and operated so that the franchisees are very involved with their business,” Alfonso said.
The Westerville community was also an important factor in selecting the location. Kundan said Westerville stood out because of its demographics, proximity to the mall and surrounding commercial activity.
Construction is currently underway, with interior work still in progress. Kundan said several weeks of construction remain, with the goal of opening by the end of September.
Alfonso also confirmed that Westerville is expected to be the first of the two Central Ohio locations to open.
“The Westerville location is going to open first,” Alfonso said. “We’re tentatively going through construction right now, and I believe that timeline is going to look at the later end of September as far as an opening goes.”
The Hilliard location is expected to follow approximately five or six weeks later.
A grand-opening event is also planned for Westerville, with Beignets & Brew’s corporate team expected to assist with the celebration. Special promotions are expected during the opening week, with details to be announced closer to the opening.
The Ohio expansion is part of a broader growth strategy for Beignets & Brew. Alfonso said the company has grown quickly since launching in Destin in 2023, reaching approximately 25 locations.
He attributed the growth partly to the experience of the company’s leadership team, which includes partners with backgrounds in franchising, including members of the group that previously founded Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
“They know how to build the infrastructure and make sure that we can support our franchisees and make sure that we have successful franchisees and successful locations to grow,” Alfonso said.
The company sees Ohio as an important market for continued expansion. Alfonso said the brand was attracted to the state after finding franchisees who fit its mission and vision.
“We believe the Ohio market is going to be a great market, and we’re going to continue to grow very rapidly in that market as well,” Alfonso said.
Kundan also sees room for additional growth across Ohio. He said the team is already exploring potential future locations, including Dublin and other communities.
“We could love to expand this to multiple locations throughout Ohio,” Kundan said.
For Kundan, the decision to bring Beignets & Brew to Columbus is also personal. After first trying the concept in Florida, he said the experience quickly became a favourite for his family.
“I fell in love with this concept when I tasted it for the first time, same with my family,” Kundan said. “So we went back the next day and the next day.”
As the Westerville location prepares to open, both Kundan and the Beignets & Brew corporate team see the Ohio expansion as an opportunity to introduce the brand’s take on beignets and coffee to a new market.
WhatNow Columbus will provide additional updates as Beignets & Brew moves closer to opening at 7381 State Route 3 in Westerville.
