A New Orleans-style beignet chain is planning to open its second Jonesboro location in a shared building with the city's Potbelly Sandwich Works on East Highland Drive. Beignets & Brew is planning the café.
The new shop is set to occupy space at 1853 E. Highland Drive, sharing the building with the McPhersons' Jonesboro Potbelly location. A WhatNow report noted that the owners hoped to open in April or May 2026.
This will mark the second Beignets & Brew location owned and operated by franchisees Cody and Kristen McPherson, who already run the Jonesboro Potbelly inside the same building. The couple's other business interests are not detailed in the available reports.
A Building With a Long Food-Service History
The 3,068-square-foot standalone building at 1853 E. Highland Drive spent nearly two decades hosting a dual Baskin-Robbins and Steak Escape franchise, according to a listing on LoopNet. The site functions as an outparcel to the Bernard Court Shopping Center, sitting near Hobby Lobby and a high-grossing Walmart Supercenter, and the same listing notes the location sees more than 30,400 vehicles pass by each day.
The McPhersons operate their Potbelly location inside that same building. By adding Beignets & Brew to the same footprint with its own separate entrance, the franchisees are reusing a high-traffic property rather than seeking out an entirely new site.
What's on the Menu
Beignets & Brew is known for traditional and specialty beignets alongside specialty coffees, with dipping sauces rounding out the offerings. The brand also offers a broad beverage menu, positioning it as a grab-and-go option for commuters and shoppers along the busy East Highland Drive corridor.
A Fast-Growing Franchise Across the South
Beignets & Brew was founded in Destin, Florida, in May 2023 by Chris and Shannon Kramolis. The company has since expanded nationally.
The chain made its Arkansas debut in September 2025, when Area Representative Chris Kramolis and business partners Jason and Chris Alley opened the state's first location at 1510 Rebsamen Park Road in Little Rock. The chain now operates across Arkansas.
The chain has also pursued expansion beyond Arkansas.
Hoodline previously reported that Beignets & Brew picked its first Ohio cafes in Hilliard and Westerville, part of the same nationwide expansion strategy now bringing a second location to Jonesboro.
Why Jonesboro Keeps Attracting National Chains
The planned café would add another option for Jonesboro customers.
