Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, the unique bakery café and bagel shop with four locations in Connecticut, has a new store owner brewing up big plans for the Plaza at Buckland Hills Manchester location.
Ajay Mathew
The Manchester café is now owned and operated by Ajay Mathew, a native of Hartford, CT who currently resides in South Windsor with his wife and two daughters. Mathew holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from University of Connecticut in Storrs and an MBA from Post University in Waterbury. He had a 20-year career in the automobile insurance industry, most recently as a Unit Manager at Travelers Insurance in Hartford, CT. However, coffee has always been a passion of Mathew’s and it was time to follow his dream of opening a coffee shop.
Mathew was interested in buying an established business and spent about two years researching various franchise opportunities looking for just the right fit. He was impressed with Between Rounds’ high-quality bagels and their overall franchise concept when he met with Between Rounds franchisors Jerry and Joseph Puiia.
True to the franchise’s standard fare, the Manchester café will continue to feature Between Rounds signature baked-on-site bagels and baked goods, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. Mathew will expand the menu with specialty brews and create a coffeehouse ambiance in Manchester.
In addition to the fresh ground and brewed gourmet coffee that patrons know and love, Mathew is expanding upon Between Rounds’ coffee offerings and adding new menu items such as Cold Brews as well as new brew methods. A new state-of-the-art espresso machine has already been installed to provide high quality results in half the time. Cold Foam is now offered, which is similar to whipped cream and goes very well with Cold Brews. Other new offerings include Pour Overs as well as six varieties of flavored coffee. On-site bean roasting may even be a possibility at some point in the future.
According to Mathew, “To me, comfort is amazing coffee and delicious bagels. I’m very passionate about coffee and exploring new brew methods and it’s exciting to have an opportunity to do so in the Manchester café.”
“Ajay is a very good fit for Between Rounds. We’re enthusiastic about his vision for the Manchester location which will serve as a launchpad for all of Between Rounds’ new coffee brews. The café itself has also been transformed to have more of a coffeehouse atmosphere complete with comfortable leather couches and custom artwork,” said franchisor Jerry Puiia.
The family-owned Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café has been in business for more than three decades and is the brainchild of brothers Jerry and Joseph Puiia, who are Staten Island, NY natives. The Puiia hallmark is manufacturing and selling their own bagels, which sets them apart from other cafés. In addition to the Manchester location, Between Rounds has corporate headquarters in South Windsor, as well as a location in Vernon Circle Shopping Center, and the independently owned Tolland store adjacent to a Citgo Express Gas Station.
“Our franchise opportunities are very appealing to motivated individuals like Ajay who are looking to make the transition from corporate management to business ownership,” explained Puiia. “Between Rounds offers brand recognition, proven operations and plenty of training and support which is a recipe that ensures success.”
Between Rounds’ Manchester location is 1540A Pleasant Valley Road in the Plaza at Buckland Hills. For more information, call the Café (860) 644-9025 or visit betweenroundsbagels.com.
The Café is open Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Saturday 6:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Franchise Opportunities
For those who are looking to be their own boss and take charge of their career, Between Rounds’ offers several different franchise opportunities, from a traditional store opportunity to Kiosk Gas Station and Convenience Market program to an Area Developer Program.
Franchisor Jerry Puiia explained, “A Between Rounds franchise offers the appeal of a locally-owned, community gathering place; renowned bagels and coffee and other signature fare; as well as excellent unit financial performance and wholesale distribution opportunities.”
About Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café
Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-onsite bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffees and a unique line of giftware. Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience.
Between Rounds locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland, CT. Franchise opportunities are available. Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT. For more information about their unique franchise offerings, contact (860) 291-0323 or visit https://betweenroundsbagels.com
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