Brunch has become weekend ritual for many Black millennials in Houston, and restaurants are either opening or revamping their menus to take advantage of the trend. Dubbed “Black brunch,” the hallmarks include flashy attire, Black artwork and music, making the experience and the environment just as important as—if not more than—the meal. The trend, which has proved durable during even the worst of the pandemic, is spreading in other brunch hotbeds such as Atlanta and Washington. Folks like Baines and Parsons enjoy dressing up for the occasion: a highlighter-green skirt, plush earrings and a clutch with a peacock-wing pattern were some of their accouterments.
Black brunch is especially about the music, sometimes curated by live DJs, with hits by artists ranging from Babyface and Beyonce on the R&B side to Megan Thee Stallion and Moneybagg Yo on the rap side. Sunday has emerged as the flagship brunch day in Houston. Known as “Sunday Funday,” it typically involves diners like Baines and Parsons visiting multiple establishments for the chicken and waffles, endless mimosas and, most importantly, good vibes.
For venues, focusing on Black brunch has proven, so far, to be a money maker, especially on weekends. At Chapman & Kirby, a busy Sunday will bring in 1,500 customers and up to $100,000 in revenue, according to Rob Wright, who’s Black and a partner in the business.
At Taste Bar + Kitchen, which opened in 2019 and serves brunch every day of the week, annual sales were $6 million in 2020 and $8.5 million in 2021, according to owner and chef Don Bowie. The restaurant is located in a century-old former residence, and Bowie said he has plans to open two other locations to help reduce weekend wait times that can sometimes reach two or three hours.
In this video we speak with Marcus Davis of The Breakfast Klub and Chris Williams, cofounder of Lucille’s, to discuss their foray into brunch as a part of their overall business plan.
0:00 What Is Black Brunch & Where Did It Originate?
1:39 Introducing Marcus Davis, The Breakfast Klub
2:31 Davis On Identifying A Market Need
3:33 Building The Breakfast Klub And Pioneering Brunch 20 Years Ago
5:09 Davis’ Influence In The Restaurant Industry
6:58 Introducing Chris Williams, Lucille’s
8:17 What Makes Brunch Enticing To Restaurant Owners? Hint: Costs
9:12 Why Expanding Brunch To Fridays Is Good Business
10:06 Battling Segregation In The Restaurant Industry
11:40 The Power Of The Black Dollar
Read the full story on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredcouncil/2022/08/07/black-millennials-transform-brunch-from-staid-buffets-to-fashionable-insta-worthy-day-parties/?sh=6b7ffb6e30a1
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