Mokas Coffee signs 9-unit deal for Kansas City area

Mokas Coffee & Eatery has signed a development agreement for nine new locations in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The deal covers six units in Missouri and three in Kansas. The two new franchisees, Brice Turner and Jeff Bennett, aim to open their first shops next year.

Jason Ingermanson, head of JRI Hospitality, owns the coffee brand. He is better known for operating more than 150 Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers locations nationwide. Ingermanson started Mokas in 2005 and began franchising in 2024. The brand currently operates five company stores and one franchised location.

Turner is a U.S. Army veteran with eight years of active duty service. He owns an aerospace inspection company, a car dealership, and a business that repurposes expired aerospace carbon fibers. Bennett spent nearly 15 years in real estate construction and land development. He previously invested in Great Clips and Re/Max franchises before stepping back to focus on ministry work.

Bennett said he drove past Mokas locations frequently before deciding to invest. He cited the brand's attention to operational detail as a key factor. "I popped in and started seriously considering it, and when I looked at the attention to detail with the operations, I just really fell in love with it," Bennett said.

Turner became aware of the brand through family members and his long-standing relationship with Ingermanson in the Kansas business community. He praised the planning behind the coffee chain's systems. "At Mokas, their processes didn't come by accident. It's happened with a lot of forethought and planning, and we appreciate that about Jason's team," Turner said.

Ingermanson said the company delayed franchising Mokas to focus on growing its Freddy's operation for much of JRI Hospitality's 15-year history. The coffee brand will now prioritize regional growth in Kansas. This approach allows the company to support franchisees while maintaining quality and consistency.

Two additional corporate stores are scheduled to open in 2027. Ingermanson noted that more than 40 prospective franchisees are interested in joining the brand. The company plans to sign only one or two new operators in the next year. Each deal may include up to 10 locations.

Ingermanson emphasized that the company values execution speed over rapid expansion. He stated that the brand already has the support infrastructure in place to help new owners succeed. This includes dedicated departments that assist with restaurant operations.