Kahwa Coffee has quietly slipped into Palm Harbor’s caffeine lineup with a new franchise on U.S. 19, planting a local roaster on one of the busiest stretches of the highway. Run by Palm Harbor residents Chris and Pita Deneault, the shop brings Kahwa’s house-roasted beans and grab-and-go menu to the neighborhood. For commuters and regulars, it is one more nearby stop for breakfast, pastries and takeaway coffee.
According to St. Pete Catalyst, the café opened in June at 32700 U.S. Hwy. 19 N after Chris Deneault signed the lease in June 2024. The outlet reports that Chris and Pita were among Kahwa’s first franchise partners and that the build-out hit delays tied to inspections and to recovery work after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Deneault, who previously worked for Chick-fil-A, told the Catalyst his Palm Harbor roots were a major factor in choosing this location.
Local Roots, Regional Reach
Founded in St. Petersburg in 2006 by Raphael and Sarah Perrier, Kahwa has grown into one of Florida’s largest independent roasters, according to the Kahwa Coffee Roasting Company. The company says it operates more than a dozen cafés and supplies coffee to hundreds of hotels, grocery stores and restaurants across the region. Kahwa’s news page also highlighted a recent opening in Osprey that the company described as its 15th location as the brand steps up retail growth.
Where It Sits and What to Expect
The Palm Harbor shop occupies a freestanding retail building on U.S. 19 with a pre-existing drive-thru and strong visibility, according to a commercial listing for 32700 U.S. Hwy. 19. Crexi notes heavy traffic counts and nearby tenants such as Chick-fil-A and Fitness 360, making the site a natural fit for a quick-serve café. Local coverage had already put the spot on the radar, and Business Debut previously previewed the location and anticipated an earlier opening before preparations stretched into this summer.
Franchise Push
Kahwa introduced franchising in September 2022, and co-founder Raphael Perrier told St. Pete Catalyst that selling franchise agreements has been the easy part while “opening them and making them right” is the tougher job. Perrier said five franchise locations have opened so far and that roughly 15 more are in the pipeline as the company works to balance wholesale contracts with retail expansion. For franchisees like the Deneaults, the local connection and service experience are central to drawing in repeat customers.
For Palm Harbor residents, the new Kahwa may simply be another reliable cup along a crowded corridor. The Deneaults say they plan to lean on their local ties and service background to build a regular following while Kahwa continues to grow across Tampa Bay.
