A Salina-based coffee shop with locations across central Kansas is expanding, and Topeka is in its sights.
Mokas Coffee and Eatery has four locations in Kansas and three more in development. More are coming soon with additional franchising efforts.
"We signed our first franchisee after just launching franchising recently," said Jason Ingermanson, CEO and founder of JRI Hospitality, Moka's parent company.
When could Topeka get a Mokas Coffee and Eatery?
Ingermanson said the company itself is working on three new locations in Kansas in Wichita and Hays. With this franchising agreement, expansion to the eastern part of Kansas is coming soon as well.
Christian Coleman was given territorial rights to locations, including the Kansas City metro, Lawrence and Topeka.
The first of these franchises will likely come to Olathe.
"(That) site is under contract and under development review with the City of Olathe," Ingermanson said.
He said if all goes according to plan, Coleman expects it to open by late spring or early summer 2026.
"(Coleman's) also looking at getting a second development underway at the same time, so things are really starting to ramp up quickly," Ingermanson said.
According to Ingermanson, Coleman is actively looking at sites in other locations, and Topeka and Lawrence may get shops within the next couple of years as well.
What's the future of the Mokas brand in the central U.S.?
Outside of Kansas, the Mokas is looking to grow, but at a pace that makes sense for the brand.
"We're trying to start in the center of the United States and work our way out in tight groupings," he said. "We want to maximize brand recognition, but also maximize the support that we can give to those franchisees so they have the best chance for success."
As of now, JRI is focusing on states surrounding Kansas and a few others adjoining those, including Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
"At the at the end of the day, our mission at JRI Hospitality is to help our team members succeed, help our community succeed and help future business folks have the opportunity to succeed," he said. "We see that the offering of franchising Mokas helps us do all of those things."
Like it has done in Salina, JRI also wants to support the communities that its brands go into, and he said Mokas will be no different.
"We want the folks of that community to feel like the owner who operates this, they live right here in this town," he said. "They help give back to the community and they support our sports teams through their donations and fundraising and sponsorships and things of that nature. That's how we want to grow it, because that's who we are at JRI Hospitality."
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Central Kansas coffee shop is expanding. When Topeka might get a Mokas
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