Café Patachou Founder Martha Hoover announces strategic investment, expansion

Won’t Stop Hospitality Inc. has received a strategic investment from leading restaurant-specific private equity firm Hargett Hunter that will expand breakfast and lunch concept Café Patachou both within Indiana and to surrounding states. Martha Hoover opened her first Café Patachou in 1989 and has grown the nationally recognized Indianapolis brand to seven locations, with an eighth slated for Fall 2024 within the Fishers’ Nickel Plate District. 

“I feel fortunate to partner with a premier equity group respected for their successful approach to growth,” says Hoover. “The Hargett Hunter team is known for their emphasis on maintaining quality of product and place, and their willingness to lean into Won’t Stop Hospitality’s norm-busting organizational values is an anomaly in the equity-infused restaurant world.” Hoover continues, “I see this as a once in a career opportunity for a company I’ve passionately devoted half of my life to and I am excited for the opportunities it will bring the Café Patachou concept and its people”.

While terms of the deal are private, Won’t Stop Hospitality’s Founder, Martha Hoover, and members of the leadership team remain involved, stewarding Café Patachou into a new phase of growth. Michelle Andersen will be joining the company as CEO to lead strategic expansion efforts while upholding the company's values and culture. Andersen’s background includes positions leading teams in operations, business development, and market expansion throughout her 21 years at Starbucks Coffee. She was the first female CEO of the Boise Co-op, the 12th largest US co-op with over 60,000 members, as well as the CEO of Bamboo Sushi, the world's first sustainable- certified sushi restaurant group.

“No immediate changes are planned for the existing Indianapolis locations,” states a representative from Hargett Hunter.  “Why ruin what has worked so successfully for the last 35 years? We trust the existing leadership team under Hoover in partnership with Michelle Andersen to properly steward the company forward.” 

For interview inquiries, more information or to tell us why your city needs a Cafe Patachou, please contact maddy@wontstopinc.com.