J. Christopher’s

J. Christopher's is a breakfast and lunch restaurant brand headquartered in Georgia that has built a loyal following since its founding in 1997 by Christopher Brogdon and Jay Yarbrough. The concept centers on classic American breakfast and lunch fare served in a welcoming, family-oriented setting, with seasonal specials that keep the menu fresh and engaging for regular customers.

As of November 2025, the company operates 23 locations across Georgia and Tennessee, having grown steadily from its roots in the Atlanta metro area. What distinguishes J. Christopher's in the market is its commitment to company-owned operations only, with no franchising model. This ownership structure has allowed the brand to maintain tight control over quality, consistency, and the neighborhood character that defines each location.

Over the past five years, J. Christopher's has pursued deliberate expansion into both suburban and urban infill markets, with a particular emphasis on high-traffic retail corridors. The brand targets end-cap and freestanding sites in areas with strong daytime populations, recognizing that breakfast and lunch concepts thrive where office workers, shoppers, and families converge during morning and midday hours. Current growth priorities include Atlanta and Savannah in Georgia, as well as Chattanooga and Nashville in Tennessee and Charlotte in North Carolina. Active site searches and a pipeline of new openings planned through 2026 signal continued momentum in these markets.

For landlords and developers, J. Christopher's represents an established operator with proven execution, a stable customer base, and a format that performs across varied retail environments. The brand's moderate footprint, flexible site requirements, and focus on daytime dayparts make it a traffic-driving tenant well suited to shopping centers and mixed-use developments seeking credible, long-term operators.