File photo / Tim Greenway
Aroma Joe’s CEO Loren Goodridge
April 27, 2022
Aroma Joe's continues expansion with new Scarborough location
Courtesy / Aroma Joe's
Aroma Joe's has continued its expansion drive with a new location in Scarborough, shown here.
South Portland-based coffee shop chain Aroma Joe's is continuing its expansion with a new location in Scarborough owned and operated by CEO Loren Goodridge and two longtime franchisees, Mark Carey and Maryna Shuliakouskaya.
The 860 square-foot drive-thru and walk-up location features coffee and espresso drinks, flavor infusions, signature AJ’s Rush Energy Drinks and a food menu. The new Scarborough spot, located at 25 Saco St., was built by Great Falls Construction, of Gorham.
“I came alone to America from Eastern Europe in 2007 and did not speak English,” Shuliakouskaya said. "I was lucky to be introduced to Aroma Joe’s and Loren Goodridge, which helped support my American dream. I am proud to be one of the first franchisees and excited to continue building the brand in the Scarborough community.”
The Scarborough coffee shop is among several new locations opening this year in Maine. They give Aroma Joe's a total of 84 locations across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
The company is currently planning development and opening new stores along the East Coast from Maine to Florida.
“What makes Aroma Joe’s so unique is we put just as much emphasis on the quality of our products as we do on the quality of the experience,” Goodridge said. “We are passionate about providing customers with a handcrafted and delicious beverage served with positivity. We are excited for our first location in Scarborough, Maine."
Goodridge, a Navy veteran and entrepreneur, got into franchising via a Subway franchise he opened in 2012 under the same roof as an Aroma Joe's coffee shop. There he befriended the owners, who had a dozen locations at the that time. Goodridge became Aroma Joe's first franchisee in 2013, adding locations along the way and ascending to CEO in 2018.
Earlier this year, he told Mainebiz that since going the franchise route, Aroma Joe's has had "zero locations fail."
The expansion comes on the heels of 82.2% sales growth at Aroma Joe's between 2018 and 2020 and as the business model takes off in Maine and nationwide.
The company has outgrown its headquarters and last year announced plans to build a new base on three acres of land in a Portland office park, which Aroma Joe's was purchasing for $595,000.
In total, Maine is home to 272 franchise brands and 1,433 units, from eateries to retail stores and other businesses owned by 864 franchisees, according to information compiled for Mainebiz by FRANdata, a market research company near Washington, D.C.
Dunkin', Subway and McDonald's lead a FRANdata ranking of Maine's top franchise brands based on number of units, with Aroma Joe's at No. 8.
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