The basics:

• Perkins Griddle & Go plans 10 fast-casual locations in Mercer County
• New concept offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and grab-and-go options
• Franchise deal signed with local husband-wife team Guiseppe and Nicole Lahara
• First Mercer County opening planned for late 2025

Perkins Griddle & Go, a new fast-casual brand from Perkins American Food Co., is coming to Central Jersey.

After signing a development deal with local husband-wife team Guiseppe and Nicole Lahara, the express concept will launch 10 locations in Mercer County, according to Perkins.

Billed as an “elevated café experience” designed to serve “delicious, high-quality meals at unbeatable prices,” the eatery’s dine-in and grab-and-go options will include breakfast, lunch, dinner and baked goods. Along with some of Perkins’ signature dishes, the menu will offer a new category of breakfast sandwiches as well as lighter fare.

The Laharas expect to open their first outpost later in 2025 within the greater Ewing area, Perkins said.

Prior to Perkins, Guiseppe Lahara spent 24 years as a building superintendent with Empire State Realty Trust, a New York City-based commercial real estate agency. He retired in 2018 to focus on raising his family, Perkins said. Meanwhile, Nicole Lahara’s background includes 24 years with cosmetics giant Estee Lauder, where she held various consumer-focused positions, according to the chain.

Guiseppe Lahara said he and his wife “want to leave a legacy” for their four kids. “We want our children to grow into this [Perkins] family and join our family business when they’re older and take it over for themselves,” he added.

Coming soon

Nicole Lahara shared, “We’ve wanted to be part of the Perkins brand for a long time. We go to the restaurants often as a family — after soccer games or church, for breakfast, on a Saturday night if we don’t feel like cooking. I know there will be something for everyone in my family. Hopefully, when our kids finish college, they can join us in this business and make it theirs.”

The Laharas are the second team of franchisees in New Jersey that Perkins has partnered with to introduce the new concept locally.

The first of 10 locations in Monmouth County developed by Colts Neck mother-son duo Lisa Dalton and Anthony Degrande will open later this year at RiverWalk Center. The new waterfront business center is part of the Fort Monmouth redevelopment project in Oceanport.

The mixed-use complex’s biggest neighbor is the new Netflix Studios.

Commenting on the upcoming launch of their flagship site, Degrande said, “We are thrilled to be part of this innovative concept for Perkins and be in the forefront of this major evolution for the brand. We can’t wait to welcome guests to this state-of-the-art experience and grow the concept in our home state.”

Dalton added, “As a lifelong resident of this community, I am so excited to see what Netflix brings and to be part of the revitalization of our beloved Fort Monmouth with the new Perkins Griddle & Go concept. We look forward to bringing the comfort food that everybody knows and loves from Perkins but in a quick service model.”

After starting out in 1958 as a pancake house, Perkins grew to 300 diner-style restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. However, with consumers becoming increasingly cost conscious, casual dining brands face intensified competition.

Creating a standout

In hopes of setting itself apart from the likes of Denny’s, Cracker Barrel and IHOP, Perkins embarked on a revamp. Griddle & Go’s introduction last fall was part of that larger rebranding effort that included a name change from Perkins Restaurant & Bakery to Perkins American Food Co., restaurant redesigns and menu changes.

Since unveiling Griddle & Go, Ascent Hospitality Management-owned Perkins says it has already signed commitments for at least 20 units. The first location opened in late 2024 in Ontario, Canada.

Because locations are designed to be between 1,500 square feet and 2,500 square feet, Perkins believes the concept could work well in various settings, such as airports, casinos, hospitals, hotels, travel plazas, universities and convenience stores.

Ascent Chief Development Officer Peter Ortiz said, “Our expansion in New Jersey marks an important chapter for Perkins Griddle & Go … We look forward to introducing new guests to the evolving Perkins brand and bringing our rich heritage, innovative offerings, and commitment to excellence to more guests across the state.”

Within New Jersey, Perkins has four traditional restaurants: Colonia, East Brunswick, East Windsor and Hazlet.

In recent years, the chain has shuttered several in-state locations, including Toms River, Lacey, Forked River, Woodbridge, Freehold and Neptune.