Erik's DeliCafé Franchise Overview

About Erik's DeliCafé

Erik Johnson opened the first Erik's DeliCafe in Scott's Valley in 1973 and has been expanding to new locations and introducing new menu items ever since. The company's 31 DeliCafes can be found throughout Northern California. Erik's marks its 40th Anniversary with the grand opening of three new stores and a sweepstakes that will award one lucky winner with 40 Years of Sandwiches with Character.

Franchise History

Family Affair After receiving a Bachelors of Science degree in Business and Marketing from the University of Oregon in 1968, Erik Johnson, born in Oakland and raised on the Monterey Peninsula, moved to San Francisco and began working as a cost accountant. In February, 1969, Johnson went on a six month backpacking trip that took him across Europe and North Africa. Upon his return, Johnson worked as a security officer, a cook and food server at a small burger and shake restaurant and as an accountant. In January, 1971, Johnson relocated to Santa Cruz and ventured into real estate. As it became clear that he was not suited to be a realtor, Johnson began to have ambitions of opening his own business. In September, 1973, after making unsuccessful bids on a health food store, ice cream shop and doughnut shop, Johnson purchased a 600 square foot location in Scotts Valley for $429. Borrowing the amount from his father, Johnson signed a note to cover equipment costs and took over the lease of the former Tartan Bakery. Lacking experience in the restaurant industry, Johnson quickly enlisted the help of his family. Ray Johnson, Erik's Father, created homemade soups, his mother, Dolores, and his sister, Laurel, made deli salads and baked goods while his brother, Chris, an attorney, handled the lease negotiations. Judy, Johnson's wife-to-be, worked behind the counter and helped with personnel, hiring, training and catering. Even Johnson's brother-in-law, Rick, chipped in with his carpentry skills. In the following year the neighboring TV store closed and Johnson was able to expand Erik's Deli to 1800 square feet.

Growth and a Bright and Growing Future With the expansion of the first Erik's in Scotts Valley, Erik was then ready to take the next step, opening a second location in Capitola in June of 1976. After the success of the second Erik's, a third Erik's quickly followed with Erik's DeliCafe of Aptos opening in October of 1977. The very next year, Erik's expansion in Santa Cruz County continued with Erik's DeliCafe of Santa Cruz opening in June of 1978. After opening four Erik's in Santa Cruz County, Erik and Erik's DeliCafe took the next step, opening a location outside of the County. Erik's DeliCafe of Los Gatos opened in March of 1981. The 1980s was a period of growth for Erik's with locations opening throughout San Jose, Santa Clara and San Mateo County. The 1990s saw further expansion for Erik's including the opening of Erik's first "general store." Erik's DeliCafe of Santa Cruz - Soquel Drive opened in November of 1994 and was the first Erik's to be designed as a "General Store." However, although there was no barnwood, Erik's father Ray Johnson still provided the decor that remains at the location today. Over the past couple of years, Erik's has undergone further expansion, with the opening of Erik's DeliCafe of San Jose - Downtown, Erik's DeliCafe of Monterey, the remodel of Erik's DeliCafe of Capitola the opening of Erik's DeliCafe of Morgan Hill - Cochrane Road, the remodel of Erik's DeliCafe of Los Gatos, and the openings of Erik's DeliCafe of Carmel - the Barnyard, Erik's DeliCafe of Mountain View Charleston Road and Erik's DeliCafe of San Jose - the Plant. These new DeliCafe's have been described as a fusion of the antique Erik's atmosphere with a modern design and open floor plan.

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