Lemon Cheesecake Pancakes at Breakfast Republic. Photo courtesy of Rise & Shine Hospitality Group.
Breakfast Republic, the popular Southern California breakfast and brunch concept from Rise & Shine Hospitality Group, is looking to Texas for expansion, including the Houston area. Founder Johan Engman said that the company is actively evaluating potential Houston locations, although no leases have been finalized.
“We’ve been evaluating opportunities in several of Houston’s strongest restaurant markets, including Montrose, Uptown/Galleria, Memorial City, and the Washington/Rice Military area,” Engman said. “Those neighborhoods all have the demographics, energy and dining culture that fit our brand well.”
A small bar area at a Breakfast Republic in Southern California. Photo courtesy of Rise & Shine Hospitality Management Group.
Founded in San Diego, Breakfast Republic is known for playful takes on breakfast and brunch alongside familiar classics. Popular dishes include Oreo Pancakes, Shrimp & Grits, Breakfast Jambalaya, Shrimp & Crab Cake Benedict and the Flight of Pancakes. Bloody Marys, mimosas and other brunch cocktails are also a significant part of the concept — and Engman believes Houston could prove an especially strong market.
“Houston has one of the best food scenes in the country, and people there clearly appreciate restaurants that do things well,” Engman said. “It’s also an incredibly diverse and fast-growing city with a strong brunch culture.”
An assortment of dishes and drinks at a Breakfast Republic. Photo courtesy of Rise & Shine Hospitality Management Group.
Breakfast Republic’s Houston restaurants could also look a little different from their Southern California counterparts, where the temperate climate accommodates patio seating year-round. For Houston, the company is seeking larger spaces with more indoor seating to counter the very hot summers and sometimes unexpectedly volatile winters.
The menu and irreverent personality, however, are expected to remain intact. Engman says Breakfast Republic’s philosophy is straightforward: breakfast should be fun, whether guests want traditional eggs and bacon, something more adventurous or brunch cocktails with friends.
No opening dates have been announced, and specific Houston-area locations are still to be determined.
Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.
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