PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans Signs 7-Unit License Agreement in Lexington

June 09, 2026 // Franchising.com // LEXINGTON, Ky. – PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans announced today that it has signed a 7-unit license agreement with Steve Estepp, founder of Estepp Energy and Coffee Dudes LLC, to expand the New Orleans-born coffee brand throughout convenience stores in Central Kentucky.

A locally owned and family-operated business, Estepp Energy has a long history in Kentucky’s convenience store industry, with more than 50 years of experience focusing on operational excellence and customer service. Estepp learned the business working alongside his father, who began operating convenience stores in the Lexington area in 1975. The group operates more than 13 convenience stores across Central Kentucky and has collaborated with other brands.

“Over the years, we’ve always looked for ways to make our stores better and provide our guests with stronger food and beverage options,” said Estepp. “The beverage category has changed tremendously over the last decade, and we saw an opportunity to launch a higher-quality, distinctive coffee concept in our stores. PJ’s Coffee stood out to us because the product is excellent and the brand has a strong reputation throughout the Southeast—plus, the flexible format truly made it a seamless fit with our stores.”

Alongside the group’s operating partner, Brendon Farrar, the stores will feature a combination of full cafés with drive-thrus, end-cap locations and in-store counters, showcasing the coffee concept’s New Orleans-inspired beverages while maintaining the guest experience found in PJ’s Coffee cafés.

“Steve, Brendon and the entire Estepp Energy team have years of operational excellence under their belts,” said Ryan Stansbury, CFE, Executive Vice President of Franchise Development for PJ’s Coffee. “Their deep understanding of convenience retail and hospitality, combined with PJ’s flexible format and premium coffee experience, makes them an ideal partner to introduce the PJ’s Coffee brand to more guests throughout Central Kentucky. We’ve seen strong results with our convenience store and travel center operators across the country, and the Estepp team is well positioned to build on that success.”

PJ’s Coffee operates in multiple markets across the U.S., including the Eastern Seaboard, Midwest and Gulf Coast regions. Ideal franchisees have strong business acumen and leadership skills, as well as a passion for delivering an exceptional coffee shop experience.

SOURCE PJ’s Coffee

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