Ballard Brands, LLC

About Us

Ballard Brands is a privately held hospitality and food service company formed by brothers Paul, Steven, and Scott Ballard. After achieving success as franchisees for Smoothie King and PJ's Coffee in Louisiana, Georgia, and North Carolina, the three brothers reunited back in Louisiana to expand their footprint as PJ's franchisees and open the first WOW Cafe (now WOW American Eats) in 2001. In addition to restaurant operations, management, and franchising, the Company has a large catering and special events business and a coffee and tea business. These four primary lines of business are managed from their headquarters in Mandeville, Louisiana just north of New Orleans as well as offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The brothers started out as franchisees and grew that experience and knowledge into becoming franchisors. The Franchising Division includes WOW American Eats, PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans, Board House Serious Sandwiches, and Buena Onda. These brands are present in 35 states as well as Vietnam and Kuwait. Today there are over 40 WOW American Eats franchised locations and over 165 PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans franchised locations.

The Restaurant Division is comprised of restaurants the brothers own and operate and totals 23 restaurants in 3 states. This Division expanded in July 2018 with the acquisition of the Jose Garces Restaurant Group. Today the restaurant portfolio comprises a variety of brands including PJ's Coffee, WOW American Eats, Amada, Tinto, Village Whiskey, Olde Bar, Volver, JG Domestic, Garces Trading Company, GT Co., and Buena Onda.