7 Brew drops into Zanesville: Coffee franchise to open next month, create 50 jobs

ZANESVILLE — Operation Coffee Drop was executed in impressive fashion.

Zanesville's newest coffee establishment, 7 Brew, was literally lifted and dropped on its foundation by Strongsville-based J.L. Moore Construction via crane at its location Wednesday afternoon. on the corner of Maple Avenue and Military Road.

Owner Rick Nader, from suburban Cleveland, was there to take in the festivities. It's the second 7 Brew store he has opened in Ohio, joining one on Lincoln Avenue in Massillon. Another will open soon at 1367 N. Memorial Drive in Lancaster, adjacent from the Kroger and Coconis Furniture.

The Zanesville operation will hire 50 employees, he said. Nader, whose company has opened 280 Taco Bell franchises nationwide, will own all 60 of the 7 Brews being built in Ohio. He began the venture in January.

Seeking diversification, his company researched 100 different brands before settling on the fast-paced coffee establishment with 33 flavors and more than 20,000 drink combinations. All coffees can be customized, from extra espresso to different milk alternatives.

They also feature their own energy drinks, eight smoothies, seven teas, cream-infused sparkling waters and a variety of milkshakes.

The Fayetteville, Arkansas-based company is known for its fast service and upbeat environment. The location in Zanesville is among the highest traffic volume in the city, a fact not lost on its new owner, adding that the city has been very welcoming.

That isn't always the case, he said.

"We were lucky to get it," Nader said. "It's a small lot so it's hard to get a business to fit in it. We were able to make an offer because you can't put a McDonald's here, can't put a CVS here. We got a good deal on the lot."

The steel structure was built in the mid-south, Nader said, and shipped to Zanesville at a cost upwards of $70,000. That was still more than $200,000 cheaper than the cost of building a brick-and-mortar on site, however.

It sits adjacent to the newly erected Wendy's and east of the former Park National Bank branch that closed and was eventually razed. The area isn't short on coffee competition — Tim Horton's has a location within walking distance and Starbucks has two locations within a mile.

He said 7 Brew often targets similar locations as its competition.

"Imagine a double drive-thru and a kick-out lane," Nader said. "When you come on the lot, we'll take your order with a tablet, we'll run the coffee out to you and you can leave. You don't even have to wait for the window. We have two people outside working cash machines and two others with tablets taking orders."

That type of convenience, and the fact the business focuses solely on beverages, gives them an edge on the competition, Nader said.

"I wasn't even going to do this," Nader said. "I was going to stay on the Taco Bell side and retire in a few years. I went down to Arkansas and the average of an employee is 20, 22 years of age. They're making 20 bucks an hour because they're getting tips, and they're playing their own music. You can't even tell who the stand manager is because everyone is in a 7 Brew shirt, but in comfortable clothes, and everyone is just having a good time."

It's also a profitable operation — the preexisting locations of 7 Brew had average revenues of $2.4 million and margins of 19.7% in 2021, according to franchisedeck.com.

Nader expects Zanesville to exceed that. He visited several 7 Brew stores and visited with five franchisees before making the decision to invest.

"We think this will be on the top end, closer to ($3 million)," Nader said. "This is going to be a really good location."

Hiring will begin on Monday, he said, and upwards of 200 have already applied. The opening will take place in September once the building is finished, property is paved and landscaped and new employees trained. They will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Signage was moved to the premises on Wednesday.

"We've already gotten four times the amount of applications here than we have in Massillon," Nader said. "It's a chance to work in a relaxed environment and not work in a QSR."

sblackbu@gannett.com; Twitter: @SamBlackburnTR

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: 7 Brew is coming: The coffee chain will create 50 jobs in Zanesville