The Toasted Yolk Cafe is scrambling the breakfast-lunch restaurant scene in south Lee County.
The Houston-based restaurant chain is set to open Dec. 16 on U.S. 41 across from Coconut Point Mall in Estero, a few hundred yards south of First Watch.
Franchisees Brandon Jones and Drew Sachau received approval Nov. 18 from the Estero Planning, Zoning and Design Board to serve alcohol at outdoor tables during operating hours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jones and Sachau grew up in the restaurant business. Jones began cooking in his parents’ restaurant at 14. The two met a couple of years ago in Indiana, where Sachau still lives. Jones moved to Cape Coral in 2021.
The Toasted Yolk Café will open Dec. 16 at 22941 Lyden Drive in Estero. The restaurant occupies the former Zoe’s Kitchen space just off U.S. 41.
Estero government
The Toasted Yolk isn’t their first restaurant. Jones has owned mostly franchises. They wanted to build a restaurant business in Southwest Florida and found The Toasted Yolk to be one of the fastest-growing breakfast concepts, Jones said. The chain has 54 locations, Sachau said. The Estero opening will mark the eighth in Florida.
Jones said the casual dining segment is oversaturated. “Although there’s several breakfast and brunch opportunities, it’s not a saturated market.”
The restaurant aims to differentiate itself with a bar-focused approach. It will feature a full bar with cocktails, mimosas and Bloody Marys. The Toasted Yolk specializes in Eggs Benedict and will offer a variety of sweet options in the waffle and pancake category, along with its own doughnuts.
The Toasted Yolk Cafe will feature a full bar with cocktails, including Bloody Marys, mimosas and other breakfast-focused drinks. Franchisees said the bar-forward concept helps set the brand apart.
The Toasted Yolk Cafe
The duo considered several sites before choosing the former Zoe’s Kitchen space next to Chipotle.
“It just felt good here,” Jones said. “The size of the space looks good and feels good.”
Estero’s population growth and nearby development also factored into the decision. Construction has begun at Woodfield Estero, a mixed-use project with nearly 600 apartments and townhomes within walking distance.
Jones declined to say how much they’ve invested in the project but noted that renovating an existing building costs about one-third of new construction. The restaurant will seat about 85 guests inside and 40 outside.
House-made doughnuts are among the signature sweet options at The Toasted Yolk Cafe. The Estero location will offer a full breakfast and brunch menu.
The Toasted Yolk Cafe
They plan to hire 35 to 40 employees. Staff training runs Dec. 9-12, followed by a soft opening on Dec. 13-14 with all proceeds benefiting Interfaith Charities of South Lee and St. Matthew’s House. Employees will have Dec. 15 off before the official opening the next day.
If the concept succeeds, they expect more growth in the region.
“We believe in this concept, and we think we can do up to eight units in the Southwest Florida market between Naples and Cape Coral,” Jones said.