From Athlete to Entrepreneur: The Birth of Toastique
In her college years, Brianna Keefe found herself juggling academics and the demands of being a collegiate cheerleader. This busy lifestyle drove her to seek out healthy yet appetizing food options that aligned with her need for convenience. Displeased with the sparse offerings available for active individuals, she set out to develop a restaurant concept that prioritized nutritional value without compromising flavor or time.
“I often found myself in situations where I was making poor dietary choices because cooking at home or dining out simply didn’t fit into my hectic schedule,” Keefe explains. “I envisioned creating a business not only as an avenue for employment but also as a place I would enjoy going to every day. After moving to Washington, D.C., I sensed an increasing demand for such options.”
A Vision Rooted in Freshness
As the founder and CEO of Toastique, Keefe derived inspiration from the sheer vibrancy of fresh fruits and vegetables displayed in their natural form. This appreciation laid the groundwork for Toastique’s diverse menu featuring gourmet toast creations, nourishing bowls, cold-pressed juices, energizing smoothies, wellness shots, and coffee beverages enriched with collagen.
“Creating visually appealing dishes enhances both taste and presentation,” states Keefe. “At Toastique, we believe in offering food that is just as delightful to look at as it is to eat. Watching customers enjoy their meals being prepared adds an element of excitement — both for them and our team.”
Building a Brand on Quality and Speed
Toastique’s flagship establishment occupies a cozy 1,000-square-foot area right in downtown D.C., where all culinary creations are made on-site due to limited kitchen resources. Prioritizing quality ingredients along with swift service was essential for catering effectively to her clientele comprised largely of professionals on-the-go and curious visitors. Remarkably, within its inaugural year alone, Toastique raked in over $1 million in sales.
“When designing our first menu collection, our goal was inclusivity — catering across various tastes and dietary needs,” says Keefe. “As we continue expanding our offerings seasonally or introducing monthly specials based on customer feedback from different locations nationwide has become key.”
Expanding Horizons: Healthier Cocktails
A recent addition is Toastique’s cocktail selection which maintains its commitment towards health-conscious choices but merges into the libation realm without relying on artificial additives or excessive sugars—targeting primarily brunch-goers who prefer lighter options.
“Our patrons resonate strongly with healthier drink alternatives which enhance our overall brunch experience,” notes Keefe. “This reveals potential opportunities like happy hour promotions later when foot traffic decreases; finding nutritious cocktails elsewhere proves challenging!”
A Nationwide Expansion Story
Through ambitious franchising efforts spanning 14 states—including new locations launched recently in Atlanta and California’s Bay Area—Keefe expresses particular enthusiasm about expanding further along the West Coast.
“Toastique embodies what could be considered quintessentially West Coast flair; thus broadening California presence excites us immensely—we’ve secured three successful locations there already,” she shares confidently.” Our unique toast style appeals greatly among demographic groups drawn towards wholesome eating habits.”
Community Connections at Heart
Amid this growth phase centered around different markets lies another vital component: deriving relationships within local communities by collaborating alongside dynamic entrepreneurs while participating actively through events like farmers’ markets or pop-ups co-hosted alongside fitness entities.
“Involving ourselves within each locality reinforces brand visibility while demystifying healthy eating choices empowering residents amidst accessibility challenges we hope provide solutions against less authentic brands flooding similar spaces.” argues Keefe passionately adding transparency plays pivotal roles sourcing trustworthy franchise partners dedicated networking outreach endeavors necessary build lasting bonds cross-community lines applicable wherever you find us!
Keefe reflects proudly upon transforming from athlete into flourishing restaurateur positioning her company consistently amongst Forbes’ coveted 30 Under 30 directory celebrating trailblazers across industries harnessing passion relentlessly pursued improves everyday lives people she serves .
“We’ve cultivated an incredible team committed seeing wellness woven effortlessly through human experiences surrounding us daily helping customers uplift complete mornings respectively tackle forthcoming rigors successfully ahead.” affirms Brianna ultimately wanting establish reputation known how integral shared nourishment defines daily rhythms orchestrating attempts serve entire health journeys undertaken by visiting guests alike—a reliable haven indeed!