Innovative Franchisee Helps Between Rounds Boost Manchester Tradition

MANCHESTER, CT — The north central Connecticut bagel and coffee shop chain Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Cafe now has four locations, including a new store owner with big plans for the Plaza at Buckland Hills in Manchester.

The Manchester cafe, around for nearly a decade, is now owned and operated by Ajay Mathew, a native of Hartford, who currently resides in South Windsor with his wife and two daughters. Mathew holds a bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Post University and had a 20-year career in the automobile insurance industry, most recently as a unit manager at The Travelers.

Coffee, however, has always been a passion of Mathew's and he said it was time to follow his dream of opening a coffee shop.

Mathew said he was interested in buying an "established business" and spent about two years researching various franchise opportunities in an effort to find "just the right fit." He said he was impressed with Between Rounds’ "high-quality bagels" and its "overall franchise concept" when he met with franchisors Jerry and Joseph Puiia.

The Puiias said that, "true to the franchise's standard fare," the Manchester location will continue to feature Between Rounds signature baked-on-site bagels and baked goods, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. Mathew said he will expand the menu with specialty brews and create a coffeehouse ambiance in Manchester.

In addition to the fresh ground and brewed gourmet coffee already on the menu, Mathew will be expanding the coffee offerings and adding new menu items like cold brews and "new brew methods."

A new state-of-the-art espresso machine has already been installed. Cold foam is now offered, which is similar to whipped cream and goes very well with cold brews. Other new offerings include Pour Overs as well as six varieties of flavored coffee. On-site bean roasting may even be a possibility at some point in the future, Mathew said.

"To me, comfort is amazing coffee and delicious bagels. I'm very passionate about coffee and exploring new brew methods and it’s exciting to have an opportunity to do so in the Manchester cafe," Mathew said.

"Ajay is a very good fit for Between Rounds. We're enthusiastic about his vision for the Manchester location which will serve as a launchpad for all of Between Rounds’ new coffee brews. The café itself has also been transformed to have more of a coffeehouse atmosphere complete with comfortable leather couches and custom artwork,” Jerry Puiia said.

The family owned Between Rounds chain has been in business for more than three decades and is the brainchild of brothers Jerry and Joseph Puiia, who are Staten Island, NY natives. The Puiia hallmark is manufacturing and selling their own bagels.

In addition to the Manchester location, Between Rounds has corporate headquarters in South Windsor, as well as a location at 243 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon, and in Tolland adjacent to a Citgo Express Gas Station at 206 Merrow Road.

"Our franchise opportunities are very appealing to motivated individuals like Ajay, who are looking to make the transition from corporate management to business ownership," Jerry Puiia said. "Between Rounds offers brand recognition, proven operations and plenty of training and support which is a recipe that ensures success."

The Manchester location is 1540A Pleasant Valley Road in the Plaza at Buckland Hills is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.