From Regulars to Franchisees: The Flying Biscuit Café Expands North of Charlotte

The Flying Biscuit Café, the iconic Southern-inspired, all-day breakfast brand, is set to expand its footprint in the Tar Heel State. A new franchise agreement has been signed to bring the beloved eatery to Huntersville, North Carolina, marking a strategic move into the bustling Lake Norman region. This expansion is spearheaded by a local ownership group with deep ties to both the brand and the community.

The Partnership: A Family-Driven Venture

The agreement for the new Huntersville location was signed by David Mumby and Jimmy Mumby. For this duo, the journey to becoming franchise owners began in the dining room of the Park Road Shopping Center location in Charlotte, where they were long-time, devoted regulars.

The management team brings a diverse and potent mix of professional skills to the table. David Mumby, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a robust background in finance. His partner, Jimmy Mumby—a graduate of Davidson College—brings extensive expertise in project management, real estate, and facilities development.

Crucially, the team is rounding out their corporate acumen with deep-seated culinary experience. Denise Mumby, David’s mother, will oversee day-to-day operations. Her resume boasts over two decades of experience in the food and hospitality sector, including 12 years of specialized management within a fast-food breakfast concept. This blend of financial discipline, project management expertise, and frontline operational experience positions the group to navigate the complexities of launching a high-traffic breakfast brand.

Site Selection and Strategic Vision

While the specific address and grand opening date remain under wraps—pending the finalization of a lease—the partners have expressed a clear vision for the brand’s presence in Huntersville. Situated approximately 15 miles north of Charlotte, the Lake Norman area serves as a magnet for families, young professionals, and a demographic that prioritizes communal dining experiences.

“We chose Flying Biscuit because we believe it’s the best in its class, and we’ve always loved the food, personality, and welcoming atmosphere of the brand,” said David Mumby. “We’re excited to combine our love of breakfast and brunch with our professional experience to bring a place to Huntersville and the greater Lake Norman community where people can enjoy great food and drinks, gather with family and friends, and feel at home.”

The long-term ambitions for the Mumbys extend far beyond this initial unit. The current agreement covers a single café, but the partners have set a roadmap to own and operate between three and five locations in the greater Charlotte area within the next five years. They have also signaled potential interest in introducing the Flying Biscuit brand to the Asheville market, further cementing their commitment to North Carolina’s growth.

Corporate Perspective: Growth Through Loyalty

The decision to award the franchise to the Mumbys was met with strong support from the corporate office. Andrew Scherzer, partner and director of franchise development for Flying Biscuit Franchising, noted that the brand frequently finds its best operators among its most loyal customers.

“Some of our best operators walk in as regulars first, and David and Jimmy have been sitting in our Park Road dining room for years,” Scherzer stated. “They know what a Saturday morning rush actually looks like from the guest side, and they’re pairing that with finance and construction discipline and a family member who has run breakfast kitchens. The Carolinas have been a steady growth market for us, and Huntersville gives us room to keep building north of Charlotte.”

A Wave of Nationwide Expansion

The Huntersville deal is not an isolated event; it is part of a broader, aggressive expansion strategy for The Flying Biscuit Café. The brand has been experiencing a significant surge in momentum, characterized by new unit openings and strategic development agreements across several states.

Recent Openings and Operational Milestones

• Knoxville, Tennessee: Chris Compton has been a pivotal driver of the brand’s Tennessee expansion. He successfully opened a location at 327 W. Summit Hill Drive in downtown Knoxville in September. This follows the launch of his first Tennessee location in Turkey Creek earlier in May 2025.
• Orlando, Florida: The brand is nearing a milestone in Central Florida, as franchisees John and Gisela Terranova finalize construction on their café near Celebration, off U.S. 192. This represents the brand’s entry into that specific market.

Upcoming Development Projects

The brand’s pipeline is robust, with several key developments slated for 2026 and 2027:

• St. Louis, Missouri: Marking a significant geographic leap outside of its traditional Southern footprint, partners Latrell Hayes, Kennon “Kip” Barber, and Randy Barnes have secured a lease in the St. Louis metro area, with an anticipated opening in late 2026.
• North Raleigh, North Carolina: Tahir Rafiq and Zinnia Tahir are preparing for the launch of their fourth Flying Biscuit location in North Raleigh, targeting an early 2027 opening.

Furthermore, the last two months have seen a flurry of activity, including:

• Palm Beach County, Florida: Matt Thomas has signed a multi-unit agreement for two locations.
• Nashville, Tennessee: Shreya Patel has secured the brand’s first franchise rights for the Nashville market.
• Tri-Cities, Tennessee: A father-daughter team, Larry and Courtney Bell, have signed for the first café in the Tri-Cities region.
• McDonough, Georgia: Keisha Carter has finalized a franchise agreement and lease for a new site in the Atlanta metro area.

The Implications for the Quick-Service Industry

The Flying Biscuit Café’s ability to attract both seasoned restaurant veterans and high-level professionals from other industries is a testament to the resilience of the all-day breakfast segment. In an economic climate characterized by shifting consumer behaviors, the “breakfast-all-day” model offers a unique value proposition: it captures the morning commuter, the brunch-seeking socialite, and the families looking for a mid-day meal.

The brand’s expansion strategy—which focuses on “owner-operator” models—appears to be mitigating the risks associated with rapid scaling. By ensuring that franchisees have a deep, personal connection to the brand, the company maintains quality control and cultural consistency even as it moves into new territories like Missouri and the Tri-Cities.

For a town like Huntersville, the arrival of a recognized, successful brand acts as a bellwether for economic development. As the Charlotte suburbs continue to densify, the demand for high-quality, mid-tier dining options that can handle high volume is expected to rise. The Mumbys’ background in finance and project management suggests they are well-prepared to navigate the logistics of site selection and construction in this high-growth corridor.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

The Flying Biscuit Café is currently in an active recruitment phase, awarding territories to qualified operators in select markets. As the brand continues to scale, its emphasis on community-based ownership—exemplified by the Mumby family’s transition from Park Road regulars to Huntersville franchisees—remains a cornerstone of its corporate philosophy.

With the Huntersville project in the early stages of site acquisition and development, the local community can expect further updates regarding the specific location and opening timeline. For the brand, the project serves as another link in a growing chain that stretches from Florida to Missouri, proving that a consistent, high-quality breakfast experience remains a powerful driver of modern retail success.

For those interested in exploring franchise opportunities, the company maintains a dedicated portal at flyingbiscuitfranchising.com or via their franchise sales line at 678-726-1884. As the company continues to break ground in new states, the focus will undoubtedly remain on maintaining the "welcoming atmosphere" that turned David and Jimmy Mumby from customers into the next generation of Flying Biscuit leaders.