Meet our Founders and Operations lead
The Founding Family
Co-Founder + Operating Partner
Chris Francis
Chris is one of our strategic leaders in the franchise. He is a behind the scenes driver on growing the brand. He is eager to help guide new owners through the buildout process, operational setup, site evaluation, and growth after launch. He lends his construction expertise and hands-on experience scaling our two founding café locations to help franchisees avoid common pitfalls. The goal being a smooth launch and build out.
Chris helped build and expand the coffee shop concept from a small 600 sq ft seasonal space in Vermilion, Ohio, into a larger 1,600 sq ft flagship unit. The second location in a bigger metropolitan area, Amherst OH. He oversaw leasing decisions, layout planning, construction, drive-thru implementation, and operational optimization.
Chris has had a construction business for the past 28 years, where he developed the practical build-out knowledge. He acquired project management skills that directly inform his approach to franchise development. His background in hands-on problem-solving and systems thinking shaped the foundation for the brand’s efficient, scalable model. He has built out many restaurant concepts.
Chris went back to college late in life to finish what was started earlier in life. Graduating with an undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University in 2021. Then finishing up a graduate degree in business in 2024 from Bowling Green.
Chris continues to give back through the shops. He and the shops give to local organizations many times throughout the year. He has a big soft spot for Animal Rescue shelters and loves dogs. He does like cats too, but dogs rule in his eyes.
Chris is a proud grandparent. His hobbies include boating on Lake Erie, occasional trips in an old RV, dining out, hiking and is a private pilot. He loves being in the air when time permits.
When asked what is one he thinks he makes sure happens around the cafes the answer would probably be
“Keep the places clean, especially the floors.”
Co-Founder + Operating Partner
Sherry Francis
Sherry guides owners through the brand’s culture, customer experience standards, and story-driven approach to community engagement. She supports franchisees in creating warm, welcoming environments that reflect the brand’s original vision.
Her involvement in the early development of the brand included shaping the initial concept with Chris and Brennan, helping plan their future coffee shop. She has a big influencing in shaping the feel and atmosphere of the first Vermilion location. Her goal today is to ensure the brand maintains a personal, community-centered identity as it grows. She is excited to help franchise owners bring Brewed Awakening Cafes to their local community. When she is in the shop she welcome their customers through the doors every day.
Sherry is our “varsity level” lead resident graphic artist whose work can be seem on the menu boards and signage at the Vermilion store.
Sherry is proud grandparent, she loves to travel and has a soft spot for dogs
When asked what one thinks is she makes sures happens around the cafes, the answer probably is
“Make sure what you send out is consistent.”
OPERATIONS LEAD & CO-FOUNDER
Brennan Francis
Brennan serves as our operations leader, helping franchisees master day-to-day efficiency, workflow systems, and operational consistency. He will guide all new franchise owners in implementing the proven practices that fueled the growth of our founding locations in Amherst and Vermilion, Ohio.
Brennan served as the operations driver for both founding locations, spending every day on-site refining systems and optimizing the guest experience. He developed the operational ‘recipe’ that made the cafés run more efficiently. He positioned the business for scalable expansion through the franchise model with respect to operations.
Brennan loves being in the café each day and brings enthusiasm that fuels the brand’s culture. He agreed with Chris and Sherry on the opportunity for franchising. He is ready to help train and on-board new owners.
Brennan is a proud father, and along with fiancé Danae, they are learning how exciting it is to raise their very young son Myles. Brennan is a huge Corvette fan (and owner), and loves to turn wrenches when he has some free time.
ONE THING BRENNAN MAKES SURE HAPPENS AROUND THE CAFÉS
“Do not change my darn recipes and double check the order
before sending it out.”
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Our Philosophy
We aim to offer quality, value and a unique experience all the things our guests deserve. We want our local owners to…
- Deliver what their community wants
- Employ people they can be proud of every day
- Seek to enrich their communities by giving back
- Enjoy working and thriving in their café
- Be proud to grow the brand and grow with it
- Core Values
- Focus on doing one thing really well
- Work hard, hunker down when times get tough and push through
- Deliver more than expected create "wow factor"
- Consistency in what we do
- Be entrepreneurial embrace adaptability, resourcefulness, calculated risk, and a proactive drive to create value and deliver consistency
- Transparency
- Instill a team spirit and family environment
- Deliver a great experience
- Have fun and be nice
- Take care of your team and promote from within without your team, each store's success is impossible
- Mission
- To serve the finest crafted drinks and offer fresh food not fast food all while having fun in a family atmosphere.
- Vision
- Brewed Awakening Cafes to be your only stop where you will always find the highest quality in food, drink and hospitality.
HISTORY & GROWTH
From a shared dream to a growing franchise.
Our co-founders Chris, Sherry and Brennan had long dreamed of opening a coffee shop together. This shared vision sparked the creation of their first location in Vermilion, Ohio and this passion continues to drive the brand forward. The opening and success of the second store in a larger metropolitan area fueled the idea of sharing what is so special at Brewed Awakening Cafes that they decided to franchise.
our humble beginning 2018
2018
Launch of the brand and opening of the first café location in Vermilion, OH.
2018
In just 6 months, moved to larger retail space and expanded the planned footprint.
2019
Visited by local news channel New Day Cleveland show.
2022
Our second visit from New Day Cleveland show.
2024
Appeared on a show aired in Columbus, Ohio — giving us 2 minutes of fame about the Vermilion café.
2024
Celebrated the opening of our 2nd location in Amherst, OH.
Amherst store 2024
2025
Kicked off franchising initiative to grow in 2026 and beyond.
2026
Franchise ownership opportunities first became available.
We are prioritizing development in OH, PA, WV, TN. We will be adding IN, KY, MI in the near future, check back on this website for updates or email us at franchise@bacafes.com. We are open to interest from any green state but prioritizing regional growth.