TooJay’s Original Gourmet Deli

TooJay’s Original Gourmet Deli is a Florida-based restaurant group that blends a New York–style deli, a full-service neighborhood restaurant, and an in-house bakery into one concept. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with takeout and catering, with menus anchored in classic deli sandwiches, Jewish deli specialties, and broad comfort-food offerings that work for families, office gatherings, and everyday neighborhood dining. [2]

The brand began in the early 1980s with a single deli in Palm Beach County, part of a wave of New York–influenced delicatessens that followed the growth of South Florida’s retiree and seasonal resident population. Over the next several decades, TooJay’s expanded across central and south Florida, growing from one shop into a multi-unit regional chain and becoming a familiar name in grocery-anchored and community centers where customers could count on generous portions, bakery cases, and a menu that fit multiple dayparts. [2]

Public information indicates that TooJay’s went through a restructuring period during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a Chapter 11 filing in 2020, and later emerged with a smaller but still meaningful store base under the same brand. That experience has shaped a more conservative and performance-focused approach, with management concentrating on solid trade areas, healthy unit economics, and locations that can support both dine-in and off-premise sales throughout the day. [2][3]

As of December 2025, TooJay’s operates as a stable, regionally focused Florida chain, with units concentrated in Palm Beach County, the Orlando area, the Treasure Coast, and other major population centers across the state, rather than pursuing a national footprint. The current posture is oriented toward operating existing restaurants well and adding new units selectively, rather than rapid new-market expansion, which can be appealing to landlords looking for tenants that value long-term performance over aggressive, high-risk rollouts. [3]

Over roughly the last five years, TooJay’s has shifted from a growth story centered on steady new-unit openings to one defined by disciplined operations and careful, targeted expansion in core Florida markets. The concept still leans on inline and endcap locations in neighborhood and community centers, where its mix of dine-in, bakery, takeout, and catering can drive repeat visits from both residents and daytime workers. [2][3]