Cape Coral resident Bob Brennan said his career took an unexpected turn when he went from selling cars to selling what he calls “happiness in a cup” through Aroma Joe’s coffee franchises, including one now under construction in Port Charlotte.
After what he described as a brief retirement from the auto dealership business, Brennan said he was looking for a new venture that would be enjoyable and family oriented. He partnered with fellow entrepreneur Aaron Wiswell, and together they brought their families on board to help operate about 14 Aroma Joe’s locations across New England and Florida.
Their first Aroma Joe’s opened in Maine, followed by additional locations throughout Maine and New Hampshire. While Brennan divides his time between Maine and Cape Coral, he is a Florida resident and said he considers Southwest Florida “paradise.”
When Brennan realized Aroma Joe’s had no presence in Southwest Florida, he decided to change that. His first local location at 4320 Del Prado Blvd. S. in Cape Coral is scheduled to open in January.
Additional locations are already in progress. Fort Myers-based Stevens Construction began work on Brennan’s Aroma Joe’s at 16400 Franklin Ave. in Port Charlotte. Dan Adams, executive vice president and partner at Stevens Construction, said the building will total 1,598 square feet and include indoor and outdoor seating, an order counter, food preparation area, restrooms and a drive-thru.
Construction also is set to begin in January on Brennan’s third Florida Aroma Joe’s, which will be located at 18961 Del Tura Plaza Lane in North Fort Myers. Both the Port Charlotte and North Fort Myers locations are expected to open in summer 2026.
Bob Brennan, a Cape Coral resident and Aroma Joe’s franchisee, poses with one of the brand’s signature drinks. Brennan is expanding the coffee chain into Southwest Florida with multiple locations underway.
Bob Brennan
Aroma Joe’s is known for its handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, flavor infusions, signature AJ’s RUSH energy drinks and all-day food menu.
The brand will enter a competitive market in Charlotte County, where several coffee shops opened in 2025. Brennan said he is not concerned about the competition, noting that what distinguishes Aroma Joe’s is its emphasis on friendly, customer-focused service.
At his New England locations, Brennan said many customers are regulars who make Aroma Joe’s part of their daily routine. He likened the atmosphere to a familiar neighborhood gathering place, with the exception that alcohol is not served. Instead, the focus is on hot and cold coffee drinks, energy beverages and food.
Brennan said he plans to be a hands-on owner and is typically present at the window and on the floor during opening days at his franchises. He said that approach helps set the tone for customer service and workplace culture.
The Cape Coral location is currently hiring, and Brennan said he wants to create an upbeat and engaging work environment for employees. He said positions at his Aroma Joe’s locations are intended to be fun and rewarding.
The Stevens Construction team working on Brennan’s Aroma Joe’s projects includes Hunter Stevens as project manager; Ken Redman, superintendent for the Port Charlotte location; Matt Adalpe, superintendent for the North Fort Myers location; and Krista Grandinetti, project administrator. PDS Architecture is serving as the architect of record, and Avalon Engineering is the civil engineer on the projects.