Ones to Watch
WILMINGTON, N.C.-- (QSR MAGAZINE) -- October 01, 2002 -- Watch out Starbucks. In Wilmington, North Carolina, three thousand miles across the country, another coffee empire is brewing. Like you, Port City Java (pcj) has made its name serving organic, gourmet coffee in intimate, trendy settings. Like you, Port City has kiosks and cafés inside high-end grocery retailers. Like you, Port City has international locations two of them, in fact. But youre a coffee shop chain. And, with its menu of breakfast sandwiches, salads, paninis, and 100 percent fruit smoothies, Port City is more.
Seven years ago, Port City Java was a local Carolina coast secret. Other than the vacationers who flocked to the area each summer, not many outside the region had ever sipped a cup of Port City's Italian Roast or tried one of the chain's fresh juice blends. Butthanks to Wilmington's once thriving film industry and the influx of tourists it broughtword eventually got out and potential franchisees came calling. Now 20 to 30 stores are expected to open along the Eastern seaboard within the next three years; 50 more by 2010. Already, Port City has units operating as far away as Reykjavik, Iceland and Greenwich, Rhode Island.
By the end of the 2002, 90 Harris Teeter grocery stores throughout the Southeast will offer Port City's blends. The shop's beans are available wholesale. A branded coffee program is also in place. And, a business services division puts Port City's coffee in breakrooms and boardroom. Pretty ambitious stuff. But, lucky for you, Starbucks, the management team behind Port City is committed to its small-town rootsfor now. " We dont ever want to be so big that we lose sight of what got us here, " Port Citys COO, Steve Schnitzler, was quoted as saying in the company newsletter, The PC Java Journal. But Id keep an eye on Port City anyway.
About the Port City Java® Brand
Port City Java® is located in Wilmington, NC. The Company opened its first café in March 1995, in Wilmington, NC. The Company began Roasting in October 1995 and Franchising in September 2003. Port City Java® has created a specific identity by creating an " all day approach " to sales, through its café environment. For additional information regarding Port City Java®, please email us.
