7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee of Fayetteville has agreed to a 100-store development deal with private investment firm WJ Partners of Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The announcement comes about a week after Flynn Group LP of San Francisco, the world’s largest franchise operator, announced a separate deal to develop 160 locations.
The deals aim to accelerate 7 Brew’s already rapid growth. Founded in 2017, the chain recently marked the opening of its 500th location. It now operates in 35 states.
Financial terms for the latest development deal were not disclosed.
WJ Partners said in a news release that it plans to open new 7 Brew locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The firm has created Piedmont Beverage Co. as a franchisee group to develop and operate the locations.
“The drive-thru beverage category is exploding and we believe 7 Brew is uniquely position to capitalize on this growing popularity,” Piedmont Beverage Co. CEO Mark Robinson said in the release.
As part of the deal, WJ Partners acquired two existing 7 Brew locations in Greenville, South Carolina, that opened in 2022.
7 Brew’s drive-thru only model, with a smaller footprint and modular build, offers franchise operators a fast and efficient approach to entering new markets. In addition to coffee, the chain offers energy drinks, smoothies, shakes and teas.
“We’re very excited to have WJ Partners helping us drive growth in the Southeastern U.S.,” 7 Brew CEO John Davidson said. “We truly look forward to the new partnership.”
7 Brew’s profit soared to $18.4 million in 2024, up from $1.6 million in 2023 and a loss of $2.6 million in 2022, industry publication QSR magazine reported. Revenue in 2024 was said to be $43.5 million, up from $15.4 million the previous year.
WJ Partners, founded in 2008, said it focuses on building lower middle-market companies in the consumer, industrial and business services sectors. Its portfolio companies include Pure Barre and Eggs Up Grill.
Sign up for Daily E-news
