Chocolate Chip Happiness On A Stick

It's Acadiana: Out to Lunch

When you hear the word "franchise" you probably think golden arches or a pepperoni pizza. But franchises can be as creative and personal as any small business.

Today we’re diving into two different ways of running a business. On one side, you’ve got a franchisee — a business owner who taps into an established brand and system. On the other, a self-starter — someone who builds a business from scratch, learning and growing every step of the way.

Christiaan's lunch guests today represent both paths, and both are thriving here in Lafayette.

Joe Thomas is the owner of a local Frios Gourmet Pops, a franchise specializing in “happiness on a stick.” Before Frios, Joe worked for a manufacturing company. He got laid off in 2023. While on the job hunt, he explored striking out on his own. Maybe as a restaurateur or a landscaper. He landed on the idea of running a franchise, discovering Frios with a Google search. He was sold and launched his own franchise in 2023.

Spreading happiness on a stick involves Joe operating a van, pushcart and mini cooler to sell Frios gourmet pops at local events and festivals. He sells about 1,700 pops a month.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Joe came to Lafayette for school, earning degrees in electrical engineering and automotive technology. Outside of work, he’s an active member of the community — volunteering at his church, running with shelter dogs at Animal Aid, and tutoring kids in math and science.

For many small business owners, the dream might be to start a franchise. Others might find themselves building one just to chase runaway demand. Caroline Merryman fell into baking cookies during the pandemic. She delivered them to friends and soon found herself taking orders on Instagram. Six months later, she opened a storefront for Caroline’s Cookies.

When people started lining up around the block to buy her cookies, Caroline decided to drop out of school and focus on her business full time.

Today, Caroline’s Cookies has become a legitimate business success: Caroline operates three locations: two in Baton Rouge and her OG shop in Lafayette. Despite the growth, Caroline still puts a personal touch on the business. Each week, she picks a random Lafayette business and shows up with a batch of warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies. It’s a great way to spread kindness, and her brand.

Out to Lunch Acadiana was recorded live over lunch at Tsunami Sushi in downtown Lafayette. You can find photos from this show by Astor Morgan at itsacadiana.com.

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