{"data":{"type":"company_profile","id":157323,"entity_id":"wefunder:company:157323","attributes":{"canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee","generated_at":"2026-06-19T16:59:29Z","updated_at":"2026-06-19T05:01:16Z","entity_ids":{"company":"wefunder:company:157323","slug":"wefunder:company_slug:citizens.coffee"},"profile_visibility":{"owner_published":true,"public_search_results":true,"site_search_listed":true,"privacy_mode":"promote","invite_only":false},"provenance":{"source":"wefunder_public_company_profile","as_of":"2026-06-19T16:59:29Z","claims":{"total_amount_raised":{"source":"FrontCompanySummary#amount_raised","last_verified_at":"2026-06-19T05:01:16Z","as_of":"2026-06-19T16:59:29Z","confidence":"high"},"total_investors":{"source":"FrontCompanySummary#number_of_investors","last_verified_at":"2026-06-19T05:01:16Z","as_of":"2026-06-19T16:59:29Z","confidence":"high"},"active_raise_states":{"source":"Fundraise.visible(nil, nil)","last_verified_at":"2025-11-20T12:07:48Z","as_of":"2026-06-19T16:59:29Z","confidence":"high"},"latest_fundraise_state":{"source":"Fundraise.visible(nil, nil).order(funding_started_at)","last_verified_at":"2025-11-20T12:07:48Z","as_of":"2026-06-19T16:59:29Z","confidence":"medium"}}},"company":{"id":157323,"entity_id":"wefunder:company:157323","slug":"citizens.coffee","name":"Citizens Coffee  ","tagline":"Aussie All-Day Café Brand Winning the U.S Market","story":"Our StoryBorn in Australia, the global leaders in specialty cafe concept, inspired by wellness-forward lifestyle, specialty coffee, and embracing technology and innovation. Citizen’s management team has proven experience from Australia's leading brands in scaling the concept.Industry Leading ‘Store Level’ Profitability of 20%The breakfast restaurant industry is an extremely profitable sector due to its high customer demand, cost-effective ingredients, and quick service model. Breakfast items like eggs, pancakes, and coffee have low food costs but can be sold at attractive price points, leading to strong profit margins.Additionally, breakfast service typically involves faster table turnover, allowing for more customers to be served in a shorter time frame. This combination of low overhead costs and high volume sales makes breakfast restaurants a lucrative opportunity in the food and beverage industry.Our TractionCitizens successfully completed an oversubscribed $1.2M crowd raise on Republic in 2021, which saw notable angels such as Randi Zuckerberg (Facebook, Zuckerberg Media, Hugg) and Sean Davis (MLS Captain) join Citizens as advisors.We've spent eight years perfecting our model, refining our chef-driven breakfast menus, specialty roasted coffee, and craft cocktails. This dedication has led to a beloved all-day café experience, evidenced by thousands of 5-star reviews.Why Breakfast? Why Now?Breakfast is the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. restaurant industry, and we're uniquely positioned to capitalize on this trend. Our business model boasts industry-leading 'store level' profitability of 18%. This is driven by:High Customer Demand: Everyone loves a great breakfast!Cost-Effective Ingredients: Breakfast staples like eggs, pancakes, and coffee offer low food costs with attractive price points, leading to strong profit margins.Quick Service Model: Faster table turnover means more happy customers served in less time.Proven Traction \u0026amp; Explosive GrowthOur journey of scale has already begun, with current locations thriving in New York, Houston, Austin and many more markets on the way!2024 Revenue: Over $4.9M+ and growing rapidly year-over-year -- on track to hit $12M in 2025Per-Store Sales: Averaging above industry giants like StarbucksEfficient Expansion: Significantly lower build-out costs than competitors like Starbucks or Shake Shack, enabling faster, more efficient growth.Houston Success: Our first store outside NYC, opened in 2024, is hitting an annual run rate of over $2 million, demonstrating incredible market acceptance.Kingscrowd InterviewCitizens Coffee: Scaling an Australian-Style Café Brand Across Texas \u0026amp; BeyondAustin Expansionhttps://austin.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/citizens-of-austin-opening/Best Breakfast in Houstonhttps://houston.eater.com/maps/best-breakfast-restaurants-houstonBeyond our cafes, our CPG channel is successfully distributing coffee pods, beans, and K-Cups into grocery stores, homes, and offices, further diversifying our revenue streams.Pathway to Citizens At Scale: Our Ambitious FutureFollowing the amazing response in Houston, we are now focused on deepening our foothold in Texas with planned launches in the Austin and Dallas markets, alongside expanding our presence in New York.Our goal is to grow profitably, using free cash flow and strategic capital injections to fuel our expansion. We project to have 40 stores across the country, producing $100 million in revenue by 2029 across our restaurants, retail, and wholesale channels.Following in the footsteps of IPO brands:Citizens has a goal to grow its business profitably, use free cash flow as well as strategic capital injections to fuel our growth over the next 4 years. At this point, the company is projecting to have 40 stores across the country, producing $ 100 million in revenue by 2029 across our restaurants, retail and wholesale channels. Upon completing our projected growth pipeline, we hope to follow public brands who have successfully executed an IPO.Forward-looking projections are not guaranteed.Join Our Journey: Why Invest in Citizens?In 2021, Citizens successfully completed an oversubscribed $1.2M crowd raise on Republic, attracting notable advisors like Randi Zuckerberg (Facebook, Zuckerberg Media, Hugg) and Sean Davis (MLS Captain). This demonstrates strong investor confidence in our vision.In 2024, Citizens started a crowdfunding campaign (on StartEngine), raising $1.5M and now are expanding access to that round on Wefunder based on popular demand from our community.We've poured our lives into building this company, not just as restaurant operators, but as individuals committed to seeing Citizens become one of the top breakfast brands in the country. We are incredibly excited about the future and invite you to be a part of this journey with us.Building with Purpose: Our Local Legends ProgramAt Citizens, we believe in growing our brand alongside the communities we serve. That's why we've launched our 'Local Legends' program. Through this initiative, we've partnered with over 260 local non-profits, community programs, and grassroots organizations, sharing a portion of each site's revenue. To date, we have directed over $40,000 donations from Citizens and our customers towards these Local Legends.This not only deepens our community engagement but also helps grow the Citizens community in and outside our brand, creating a positive impact where it matters most.Invest in Citizens today and help us bring the best of Australian café culture to America!","location":"New York, NY","website":"https://invest-in-citizens.com/in-store","total_amount_raised":806096,"total_investors":275,"is_funded":true,"is_active":true,"quality_score":5,"related_urls":["https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee","https://invest-in-citizens.com/in-store"]},"media":{"share_image_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company/header_media_photo/157323/xxl_blob.jpg","logo_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company/logo/157323/large_blob.png","header_media_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company/header_media_photo/157323/standard_blob.jpg","cover_photo_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company/header_media_photo/157323/standard_blob.jpg"},"links":{"company_url":"https://invest-in-citizens.com/in-store","linkedin_url":"https://linkedin.com/company/citizens-cafe-holdings","instagram_url":"https://instagram.com/citizens.of"},"highlights":[{"id":62736,"name":"notable_angel","url":"notableangel","presentable_name":"Notable Angel","description":"Raised $25k or more from a notable angel investor","image_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/2021/profile-highlights-check.svg"},{"id":75585,"name":"1m_plus_revenue","url":"1mplusrevenue","presentable_name":"$1M+ Revenue","description":"Earned over the last 12 months","image_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/2021/profile-highlights-up-arrow.svg"}],"quick_facts":[{"index":1,"claim_id":"claim-fact-1","value":"Citizens’ Revenue Has More Than Doubled: Up From $4.9M to $12M in One Year"},{"index":2,"claim_id":"claim-fact-2","value":"Backed by KingsCrowd Venture Fund and Influential Investors Including Randi Zuckerberg"},{"index":3,"claim_id":"claim-fact-3","value":"Citizens Stores Average Annual Sales of $3M+, 55% Higher Than Starbucks’ Average"},{"index":4,"claim_id":"claim-fact-4","value":"Nationally Recognized Brand: Featured in Forbes, Vogue, and Rated #1 Brunch Spot in Texas by Eater"},{"index":5,"claim_id":"claim-fact-5","value":"Expansion Pipeline to 40 Locations With a Clear Path to $100M+ Revenue"}],"team":[{"id":4296141,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:4296141","user_entity_id":"wefunder:user:4342370","role":"founder","name":"Justin Giuffrida","title":"Co-founder \u0026 CEO","bio":"Justin has been featured in Forbes, Gothamist and Vogue on the success \u0026amp; growth of Citizens. 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The response from the investor community has been strong, with each new participant reinforcing both the brand and the path forward.As we move into the final stretch, we b...","published_at":"2026-03-27T23:33:28Z","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","url":"/feed/289710","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/289710"},{"id":271451,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:271451","type":"FeedItem::Update","visibility":"public","title":"Local Legends: Celebrating the Partners Powering Our Communities","preview":"At Citizens Coffee, growth has never been just about square footage or store counts, it’s about the relationships that make each neighborhood feel like home.This month, we’re proud to spotlight one of our Local Legends: a community organization whose work reflects the same values that guide Citizens, consistency, care, and long-term commitment to place. Plant It Forward (PIF) Empowers refugees to develop sustainable urban farming businesses that produce fresh, healthy food for our community. ...","published_at":"2026-03-06T00:28:28Z","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","url":"/feed/271451","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/271451"},{"id":246222,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:246222","type":"FeedItem::Update","visibility":"public","title":"Where Citizens Began, and Where We’re Headed","preview":"As the calendar turns to 2026, we find ourselves looking both forward and back.Citizens began quietly, not with a grand plan to scale, but with a simple conviction shared by two founders: that community deserves a place to gather that feels intentional, welcoming, and built to last. What started as a single café was an experiment in hospitality, asking whether thoughtful food, consistent execution, and genuine connection could still matter in a fast-moving world.In the early days, every detai...","published_at":"2026-01-20T22:13:53Z","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","url":"/feed/246222","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/246222"},{"id":244585,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:244585","type":"FeedItem::Update","visibility":"public","title":"Citizens x DoorDash: Built for the Next Phase","preview":"Today we’re sharing an operational milestone that quietly reshapes how Citizens meets its guests, wherever they are.We’re deploying our first direct partner integration with DoorDash, a step that moves us beyond basic marketplace presence into a more intentional, first-party relationship. This integration allows Citizens to meet demand with greater precision as we grow, pairing our in-store experience with a seamless takeaway channel that reflects how people actually dine today.As we prepare ...","published_at":"2026-01-16T16:59:53Z","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","url":"/feed/244585","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/244585"},{"id":243015,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:243015","type":"FeedItem::Update","visibility":"public","title":"A New Revenue Milestone","preview":"We wanted to share a meaningful milestone with our investor community.Last week, Citizens crossed $250,000 in revenue in a single week.To put that in perspective:just a few short years ago, that number represented our entire monthly run rate.Today, across just four locations, we’re operating at an industry-premium level of performance, validating both our model and the markets we’ve chosen to grow in. At our current pace, we’re approaching a $13M annualized run rate—before accounting for new ...","published_at":"2026-01-13T18:05:50Z","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","url":"/feed/243015","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/243015"},{"id":225282,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:225282","type":"FeedItem::Spotlight","visibility":"public","preview":"Australia invented the flat white — and the world fell in love with it. The flat white originated in Australia (and New Zealand, depending who you ask) in the 1980s, long before it hit American menus. It’s now one of the most exported café drinks globally.","published_at":"2025-11-26T17:40:32Z","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","url":"/feed/225282","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/225282"},{"id":224061,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:224061","type":"FeedItem::Update","visibility":"public","title":"📣 Webinar Recap: KingsCrowd Invests + Major Growth Updates","preview":"Thanks to everyone who joined our latest investor webinar! Here are the biggest highlights:✨ KingsCrowd has officially invested in Citizens. CEO Chris Lustrino joined us live to discuss the strength of the Reg CF market, why community-backed F\u0026B brands win, and what makes Citizens a breakout opportunity in the category.Rewatch the recording of the webinar here!🚀 What’s New: Citizens All Day rollout is showing strong early impact Citizens Deli grab-and-go offerings continue gaining traction Ne...","published_at":"2025-11-21T19:46:02Z","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","url":"/feed/224061","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/224061"}],"q_and_a":[{"id":313057,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:313057","question":"Hi Justin and Andrew, 2 questions for the two of you 1. Your income statement for the years 2023 and 2024 show roughly 2 million each year in other expenses, roughly 40% of revenue. Can you give some more detail on what these expenses are? 2. From a strategic perspective, can you guys share your thoughts on what led you to focus on growing from scratch in Texas versus continuing to grow in New York or the northeast more broadly?","author_name":"Drake Sanderson","votes":9,"created_at":"2025-08-13T02:12:23Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-313057","answers":[{"id":314339,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:314339","answer":"Hi Drake, thanks for the question here. Other expenses include pretty much all other operating expenses beyond cost of goods sold and restaurant 4 wall labor. Some of the main categories here are new restaurant expansion expenses, rent, development and legal for real estate, technology and subscriptions to run daily ops. GAAP financials show over half of our new restaurant capital expenses on the P\u0026amp;L which is not a normal reflection of the companies profitability. Citizens as a business is very profitable restaurant level and company level which is unique for a high growth brand. Great Q re Texas - Citizens head of development Andrew studies new market expansions by focusing on Macro and Micro factors. Texas scores amongst the highest in both when considering, economic factors, operating costs, comparable concept volume studies and competition landscape. The development research has been incredibly successful for the business as both our Texas expansions have been record breaking in sales volumes \u0026amp; profit for the brand.","author_name":"Justin Giuffrida","votes":5,"created_at":"2025-09-04T15:17:47Z"},{"id":314340,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:314340","answer":"Our roadmap to national scale needs proof of portability beyond a unique market such as NY that is not a representation of the US normal market due to its high urban macro micro factors. The expansion to Texas was a direct pathway to 40 locations alongside NY growth while providing higher compounding profits to fuel our growth. Further, in the process of considering institutional level capital, prospecting firms need to see proof of portability, and thus Texas has been a critical part of proving out the CItizens model potential for whitespace expansions across the US market.","author_name":"Justin Giuffrida","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-09-04T15:23:48Z"}]},{"id":313175,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:313175","question":"Hi Justin and Andrew, You already closed a raise earlier this year over on StartEngine. Why the need to open this round so soon after that last one? Thanks.","author_name":"Senitiki Rokocakau","votes":5,"created_at":"2025-08-15T07:03:11Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-313175","answers":[{"id":314474,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:314474","answer":"Hi Sentiki, firstly thank you for the investment and your support! That’s a great question, and we appreciate you asking it. The round we closed earlier this year on StartEngine was a strong step forward, but it was a relatively small raise designed to give us momentum. Since then, our growth trajectory has only accelerated, launching Austins new market and securing multiple new sites for expansion. The scale of opportunities in front of us is bigger than ever. This current round is not about plugging short-term gaps—it’s about fueling Citizens’ next stage of expansion and ensuring we can execute on the big goals that drive both company value and investor returns. We’re building a multi-location, multi state, nationally recognized brand, and that requires significant upfront capital for new site development, team building, and brand investments. Acting now, rather than waiting, allows us to lock in key sites, move quickly on proven markets, and compound the traction we’ve already created. In short: the earlier raise got us moving, this round ensures we can deliver on the full vision—accelerating growth in a way that maximizes upside for our investors.","author_name":"Justin Giuffrida","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-09-05T18:44:59Z"}]},{"id":325073,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:325073","question":"Hi Nathan, I sincerely appreciate your answers to my previous questions. I do understand some internal projections you cannot share. Can you share your 2025 revenue and net income or loss? I only see 2023 and 2024 and it was flat year over year. Do you have an approximate time frame when you can get to your 40 store pipeline? Id like to invest a small amount but I do want the potential for a good return as these companies are very risky. Id like to better understand your plan for growth and profitability. My apologies if these points have been previously addressed.","author_name":"Thomas Mills","votes":3,"created_at":"2026-02-12T01:22:14Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-325073","answers":[{"id":325285,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:325285","answer":"Thomas, appreciate the continued engagement. 2025 financials We are in the process of finalizing our 2025 financials, which typically takes ~60 days post year-end. Based on our September internal forecasts, we were tracking toward approximately ~$12M in revenue for 2025. We plan to share a preliminary operational update during our investor webinar later this month, with finalized figures to follow once completed. Growth to 40 locations Our plan remains to scale to 40 locations by the end of 2029. Expansion is paced deliberately, prioritizing strong unit economics and operational infrastructure over rapid growth. While 2023 to 2024 revenue was relatively flat at the consolidated level, that period focused on operational discipline and foundation-building rather than footprint expansion. Our strategy centers on replicating ~$3M+ per-location revenue with improving efficiency as we scale. We recognize hospitality carries risk, and our objective is to build long-term enterprise value through disciplined growth and margin progression. Happy to have you join the upcoming webinar for a deeper look at the roadmap.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":0,"created_at":"2026-02-13T22:12:45Z"}]},{"id":317808,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:317808","question":"Just curious as far as the \"Coffee for a year\" goes. Being that I don't currently have a physical location near me am I able to wait until one opens up to begin redeeming or does the clock begin counting down at the end of funding?","author_name":"Jon Powell","votes":3,"created_at":"2025-10-23T18:04:36Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-317808","answers":[{"id":317934,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:317934","answer":"Great question — and thanks for asking! For the Coffee for a Year perk, you’ll receive a loaded Citizens card with the full cash-equivalent value of your reward. That means you don’t need to start redeeming it right away — you’ll be able to use your balance whenever and wherever it’s most convenient for you, including at any future Citizens location once one opens near you. We wanted this perk to feel flexible, so you can enjoy it on your own schedule rather than being tied to a countdown.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":3,"created_at":"2025-10-24T21:56:04Z"}]},{"id":317096,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:317096","question":"Hi Justin, do you plan on opening any locations in the DC area? If so, do you have a time frame? Thank you, Glenn","author_name":"Glenn Burney","votes":3,"created_at":"2025-10-16T00:58:26Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-317096","answers":[{"id":317931,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:317931","answer":"Hi Glenn, thanks for the question. I’m Nathan and I lead our Investor Relations for Citizens. Our growth ambitions are to transform Citizens into a national brand - which will require us to have regional coverage in every corner of the US. We have a pipeline of cities and states we are considering for new sites, but cannot confirm a specific timeline for expansion to Washington DC, yet. But rest assured we are considering sites across the Northeast and furthering our expansion westward as we source the right locations.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-10-24T21:29:41Z"}]},{"id":313292,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:313292","question":"Hello, I would like to clarify a few key aspects. As a potential investor, I'm particularly focused on communication and transparency. Could you please provide more information on the following: 1. Update Frequency: How often can investors expect updates on the cafe's performance and progress? 2. Possible returns: What are the plans for returns to investors through dividends? Are there any specific timelines or payout structures in place? 3. Lifetime Brunch: I'm intrigued by the concept of a lifetime brunch. How does this work? Is it applicable to all locations or specific ones? Are there any limitations or restrictions? I believe clear communication and transparency are essential for building trust with investors. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you. 8/21/25","author_name":"Edgar Rivera","votes":3,"created_at":"2025-08-19T02:35:45Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-313292","answers":[{"id":314475,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:314475","answer":"Hi Edgar, thank you for reaching out! 1. Update Frequency We’re committed to keeping our investor community informed and engaged. At minimum, you can expect: Quarterly operational updates—sharing key milestones, growth metrics, new partnerships, and capital deployment. Formal annual reports, delivered within 120 days of our fiscal year-end (generally by April 30), containing comprehensive financials, board updates, and new developments, as required under Regulation Crowdfunding We already post updates on our Wefunder page—there are currently 8 updates published, with more on the way, covering everything from new launches to momentum in sales 2. Returns \u0026amp; Dividend Plans At present, Citizens Coffee is focused on profitable expansion—channeling free cash flow and strategic capital into growing our footprint, with a target of 40 locations and $100M in revenue by 2029. We do not currently distribute dividends, as we prioritize reinvestment and scale. Our aspiration is to follow in the path of successful public brands—potentially culminating in an IPO or strategic exit. Should such liquidity events materialize, investors may realize significant returns. 3. The “Lifetime Brunch” Perk The concept of a “lifetime brunch” was featured among our highlights, serving as one of the unique perks for our community of supporters What it is: A special benefit granting you complimentary brunch(es) at Citizens locations—our way of saying thanks. Where it applies: It’s valid at our current locations (NYC, Houston, Austin and possibly others as we expand). The membership card is loaded with proportionate perk for our investors ot enjoy in restaurants across all locations.","author_name":"Justin Giuffrida","votes":4,"created_at":"2025-09-05T18:51:45Z"}]},{"id":324855,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:324855","question":"Hi there. A few questions 1. Do you have revenue and profitability projections for next 5 years? 2. How do you plan on getting investors a return? How time frame do you have in mind? 3. Can you commit to quarterly or semi-annual shareholder updates? Some of the companies on there go silent once ive invested. Thanks in advance for your time, Thomas","author_name":"Thomas Mills","votes":2,"created_at":"2026-02-10T01:24:50Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-324855","answers":[{"id":324895,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:324895","answer":"Thomas — thank you for the questions. I’m Nate, leading Investor Relations for Citizens. 1. Five-year projections We maintain internal multi-year financial models covering unit growth, revenue, and margin progression. As a Reg-CF issuer, we’re careful about publishing forward-looking projections publicly. What we can share is that current locations are operating at approximately $3M+ in annualized revenue per store, which underpins our expansion strategy. 2. Investor returns and timing Our objective is to build long-term enterprise value through disciplined, company-owned expansion and brand growth. Potential investor liquidity would typically come from a strategic acquisition, institutional recapitalization, or future financing events. Timing is execution- and market-dependent, and we do not make guarantees. 3. Investor updates Yes. We are committed to regular communication and intend to provide at least quarterly updates covering performance, expansion, and key milestones. Appreciate the thoughtful engagement.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":0,"created_at":"2026-02-10T17:46:56Z"}]},{"id":323054,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:323054","question":"Hi Justin I see that you have Nathan as the head of investor relations now , so hi to you also , I have some questions the fundraising round was going to close on Jan 16 2026 , has the date been extended and if so why? Will I receive the perks soon or we have to wait until the round is closed? And when the time come will the membership card be mail out ?","author_name":"Sven Paige","votes":2,"created_at":"2026-01-15T03:10:21Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-323054","answers":[{"id":323267,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:323267","answer":"Hi Sven — great to connect, and thanks for the questions. Yes, the campaign has been extended beyond the original January 16, 2026 date. Simply put, we realized we had the ability to extend the round and decided to do so to give ourselves additional flexibility as we continue to execute and bring in aligned investors. Perks are fulfilled once the round officially closes, and we’ll share clear updates ahead of fulfillment to the email in your investor profile. Appreciate your support and engagement, we’re grateful to have you as part of the Citizens investor community.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":0,"created_at":"2026-01-19T01:48:35Z"}]},{"id":320121,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:320121","question":"I justin, I invested 100 US back in 2021 on republic. I was not expecting the success so congratulations. Since I dont live in the US I haven't been able to claim any perks but I still hope to come to the US one day . My question is does this round offer shares like the one on Republic ? is this deal still valid has stated on Republic :Citizens with Benefits - Invest $100, and you’ll receive five free coffees or cocktails, loaded onto your Citizens Green Card. + (Or) + A Personal mention on Citizens website + ? Can we roll past investment with the new one that I plan to do here on Wefunder? Or it is 2 separate deals under my name? Also I never got to use the 25 US gift certificate. Once again very much happy about the success even from a distance. Thank you for your time. Valerie","author_name":"Valérie Varasse","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-11-23T20:38:27Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-320121","answers":[{"id":320264,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:320264","answer":"Hi there Valerie, Thank you so much for your support back in 2021 and for the kind words. We’re thrilled to have you back with us. To clarify a few points: • The current Wefunder round does offer shares, just like the Republic campaign. Each campaign is its own separate investment, so past investments can’t be “rolled” into the new one — they remain recorded under your name as two distinct investments. • Your original Republic perks are still valid. Your Citizens “Green Card” coffees/cocktails perk and the $25 gift certificate remain redeemable whenever you’re able to visit the U.S. We’ll make sure those are honored. If you decide to participate again in this round, we’d be grateful to have you with us for the next stage of growth. Thanks again for being part of the journey — even from afar!","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":0,"created_at":"2025-11-26T17:42:59Z"}]},{"id":313256,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:313256","question":"Great work on your momentum! It looks like you have been on average profitable the last three months, do you anticipate this to continue or any changes on your profitability ahead? Thank you!","author_name":"Jason Arnold","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-08-18T01:43:30Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-313256","answers":[{"id":314481,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:314481","answer":"Hi Jason, Thank you for the thoughtful question and for taking the time to review our financials! The audited financials attached to our WeFunder are GAAP financials, which by design include a substantial segment of our new restaurant opening expenses. While this is standard for GAAP reporting, it doesn’t fully reflect the ongoing profitability of our business. At the restaurant level, our EBITDA margin is very strong at 21%, and at the company level we are currently running at a 6% EBITDA profit and building. We view restaurant-level EBITDA as the key success indicator for a high-growth hospitality brand like ours. We are reinvesting much of our profit into corporate development and expansion, which is why the GAAP view shows additional expenses tied to growth. We’re confident in continuing and building profitability at both restaurant corporate level while remaining disciplined in balancing corp development and growth to hit our roadmap goals","author_name":"Justin Giuffrida","votes":3,"created_at":"2025-09-05T19:11:39Z"}]},{"id":313253,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:313253","question":"I've been to the Houston location a few times since it's a few miles from the museum district and I live up in Jersey Village area. Every time I'm there, the food, service and vibes are great. From a business perspective, picking Houston was a great choice. Lower overhead costs and lots of people with expendable income because of lower living costs. I'll be investing in this round too. Cheers. 🥂","author_name":"Titus Polichnia","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-08-17T22:47:34Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-313253","answers":[{"id":314476,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:314476","answer":"Mr Titus! Thank you so much for the support and kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you’ve enjoyed your visits to our Houston location—it’s been an amazing community to be a part of, and we couldn’t agree more about the opportunity here. Lower overhead, strong demographics, and a vibrant dining scene make Houston a perfect market for Citizens, and feedback like yours validates that decision. We’re especially grateful for your commitment to invest in this round—it means a lot to have both your confidence and your continued patronage. We can’t wait to keep delivering great food, service, and vibes as we grow Citizens together. 🥂","author_name":"Justin Giuffrida","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-09-05T18:53:17Z"}]},{"id":312980,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:312980","question":"Any update for previous investors (2024 rolling close) as to when K-1 info for tax-year 2024 will become available?","author_name":"Lucas Selvidge","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-08-11T22:30:15Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-312980","answers":[{"id":314478,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:314478","answer":"Thank you for raising this important point. We’re currently working with Wefunder’s SVP platform on a K-1 distribution plan for 2025, which will ensure that K-1s are generated and distributed properly to investors. Looking ahead, we plan to roll Citizens into a C-Corp structure as we continue to scale. Once that transition is complete, we do not expect to issue K-1s to investors in the future. This step will simplify reporting and align with our long-term growth and capital-raising strategy. We’ll keep all investors updated along the way so expectations are clear and the process is seamless.","author_name":"Justin Giuffrida","votes":4,"created_at":"2025-09-05T18:57:21Z"}]},{"id":329925,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:329925","question":"What is the exit plan (acquisition, IPO, merger, etc.) in which investors will be able to see a ROI?","author_name":"bugg logg","votes":1,"created_at":"2026-04-03T03:01:34Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-329925","answers":[{"id":330146,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:330146","answer":"Hi Bugg, good question. At this stage, our focus is on building a strong, scalable business with durable unit economics and brand equity; as those are the foundations that ultimately create attractive exit opportunities. Over time, there are several potential paths to liquidity, including strategic acquisition, private equity recapitalization, or other transaction structures common in the hospitality and consumer sectors. An IPO is generally less typical for businesses at our current stage but could become a consideration at much larger scale. We don’t anchor the business to a single exit outcome today. Instead, our goal is to grow Citizens into a high-quality platform that creates multiple strategic options over time, allowing us to pursue the path that best maximizes long-term value for investors. As always, timing and structure of any liquidity event will depend on market conditions and company performance.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":0,"created_at":"2026-04-06T12:32:02Z"}]},{"id":329827,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:329827","question":"Hi I have a few questions regarding some of the numbers shared during last monthly call. 1) is $1.9m the finalized number for 2026Q1? I am double checking because the deck says \"2026 Q4\" 2) Could you confirm the expected revenue is expected to surpass $20m this year? Is it due to all day operation mode increase? I remember the brand cross $250k/week before but $20m requires average 380k/week, probably 40% increase after averaging 3) for the timeline of series B on the slide , is 2027 the projected time?","author_name":"Hao WANG","votes":1,"created_at":"2026-04-02T14:57:13Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-329827","answers":[{"id":330150,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:330150","answer":"Hi Hao, Great questions and happy to clarify. 1) Q1 FY26 revenue: Yes, ~$1.9M is the finalized revenue for Q1 FY26. The “Q4” label you saw on the slide was from a prior version of the deck that referenced FY25 Q4 — appreciate you flagging that. 2) FY26 revenue outlook (~$20M): Our expectation to surpass ~$20M this year is driven by a combination of factors: • New locations coming online at different points throughout the year and ramping toward normalized performance • Continued strength at existing locations • Incremental revenue from expanded offerings, including Citizens Deli and all-day/dinner extensions The $250K/week figure you referenced reflects peak performance periods at individual locations. As we scale, the revenue profile becomes a blend of mature sites and newly opened locations ramping over time, rather than a straight-line increase across all units. 3) Institutional round timing (Series B): 2027 is a tentative planning marker, aligned with our broader growth roadmap. We are currently exploring a structured institutional investment to support that next phase, but timing and structure will ultimately depend on company performance and market conditions. Appreciate you digging into the details!","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":0,"created_at":"2026-04-06T12:37:29Z"}]},{"id":323672,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:323672","question":"Thanks Nathan for your response to my questions. Quick followup, what would $50K investment bring in terms of advisory equity perks?","author_name":"Prakash Sripathy","votes":1,"created_at":"2026-01-26T01:48:19Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-323672","answers":[{"id":323896,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:323896","answer":"Hi Prakash! Investments of $50K+ opens the door to potential advisory equity, which we use selectively to align with investors who want to contribute strategically as we scale. Advisory equity is not automatic and is structured case-by-case, based on investment size (and in consideration of any relevant involvement). If you’re interested, you’re welcome to reach out directly at Nate@Citizens.coffee . Alternatively, for investments exceeding $50K, our team will proactively follow up with details and next steps after your investment.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":0,"created_at":"2026-01-28T16:10:16Z"}]},{"id":322477,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:322477","question":"thanks for response. whatever works so I can get the highest multiple on my investment. I don't want to just double etc my money in 6 years etc, that isn't exciting to me. I would like a huge multiple like I just got from a company I invested in that got acquired, made over 20 times roi multiple in just over 5 years. that is exciting, exactly, what they said they were aiming for. do you see yourself having to raise again cause this is the 3rd time you are raising and fast. thanks for opportunity and I look forward to the journey!","author_name":"John Webster","votes":1,"created_at":"2026-01-05T16:58:46Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-322477","answers":[{"id":323268,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:323268","answer":"Thanks for sharing and congrats on that outcome. A 20x+ return is exactly the kind of ambition we respect. Citizens is being built for scale and optionality, not small outcomes. Our focus is on compounding value through company-owned expansion, strong unit economics, and brand extensions that can support meaningful multiples over time. While we can’t promise outcomes, we’re intentionally building toward scenarios where larger returns are possible. On fundraising: yes, this is our third raise, but each round has been milestone-driven. Capital to date has gone into proving the model and now accelerating growth. As we scale, future raises are possible — with the goal of increasing enterprise value, not diluting it unnecessarily. We appreciate investors who think long-term and aim high. Glad to have you on the journey.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":0,"created_at":"2026-01-19T01:52:01Z"}]},{"id":322147,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:322147","question":"good stuff. I invested in your startengine round. after doing some heavy research and seeing your revenue per location compared to Starbucks got me way more excited then last time. what I am wondering is I saw where starbucks CEO mentioned the reason he chose to go the licensee route vs franchising, they would have never gotten to where they did without it, growing organically would have taken forever to even reach a fraction of stores they have. I saw another company out of China that has almost 30k locations in only 8 years, i saw how they did it, very clever. you have better per location revenue then them too. they are doing billions a year and making billions. would you ever consider doing a licensee? You can have that and your corporate locations I think that would work great for you.. you are cheaper to open than starbucks and better per location revenue. they would sell like hotcakes putting you at billions in revenue etc in no time. Being very beneficial for you and investors cause let's face it unless you do millions upon millions in profits your lowest investor won't even double, triple their investment and if they doubled it would take forever. Great job thus far!","author_name":"John Webster","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-12-31T21:31:36Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-322147","answers":[{"id":322471,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:322471","answer":"Hello John, first off, thank you and we truly appreciate you coming back after the StartEngine round and digging into the unit economics. That kind of research is exactly how we want investors to engage with Citizens. You’re absolutely right on the core tension you’re pointing out: speed vs. quality of scale. Companies like Starbucks achieved massive global footprints by leaning heavily into licensing, and that strategy clearly worked for their specific moment, product mix, and capital structure. Our decision to remain wholly owned and operated today is very intentional and grounded in what we’ve already proven: \u0026gt;$3M average revenue per location, materially outperforming many global peers Stronger margin control through centralized operations, labor standards, and supply chain A brand experience that is difficult to replicate without direct ownership (menu execution, hospitality, real estate discipline) What we’ve seen across hospitality — especially in the post-COVID era — is that franchising and licensing tend to compress per-unit performance unless the brand is extremely standardized and optimized for that model from day one. Our current economics work precisely because we control the full stack. That said, this is not ideological approach but rather one that is sequenced. As we scale the owned base and continue to codify our playbook (real estate, build costs, labor models, training, supply chain), we do believe there’s a future where alternative expansion structures could make sense — potentially in: International markets Non-core formats Capital-efficient growth partnerships where economics and brand control are protected But we won’t pursue that until we can ensure it adds shareholder value without diluting performance, culture, or brand integrity.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":2,"created_at":"2026-01-05T15:57:56Z"}]},{"id":321134,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:321134","question":"Hi Justin, I invested in the crown safe from 2021 and bought stock last year. Did the crown safe converted into stocks? If it did, I never received the email or confirmation of conversion. Thank you.","author_name":"Manuel E. Lugo Recart","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-12-12T23:49:41Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-321134","answers":[{"id":321235,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:321235","answer":"Hi Manuel -- thank you so much for being an early supporter of Citizens and for investing across multiple rounds. Yes, both of our crowdfunding campaigns offered equity in Citizens. The 2021 raise was conducted via a Crowd SAFE, which is designed to convert into equity upon a qualifying priced round. That SAFE has converted into shares, and those shares are held and administered through the platform and our transfer agent rather than being issued as standalone stock certificates. In many cases, investors do not receive a separate “conversion” email at the moment of conversion, but the ownership is reflected in the official cap table and maintained on record. We truly appreciate your continued support of Citizens, it means a great deal to the team!","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-12-15T16:23:38Z"}]},{"id":319156,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:319156","question":"I am investor through Republic, I am curious about store expansion. I remember having 4 stores in NYC earlier, later went to 3 and 2 now. Any specific reason? is it unit economics?","author_name":"Krishnan Ramachandran","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-11-08T22:04:45Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-319156","answers":[{"id":319548,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:319548","answer":"Hi Krishnan, Great question — happy to clarify and thank you for your support. Citizens did previously operate four NYC locations, and over time we consolidated into our strongest-performing sites. This wasn’t due to unit economics issues — our NYC stores continue to generate $2.4M+ per location and remain some of our top performers. The shift was strategic: • We moved away from smaller, less scalable spaces toward larger “Citizens All Day” locations that support evening service, grab-and-go (Citizens Deli), and better margins. • We’re now focused on expanding in markets and sites where we can replicate our $3M+ per-store potential and scale more efficiently. In short: it was a strategic realignment toward bigger, higher-performing units — not a performance problem. Looking ahead: • We are back to 4 locations (under this new model) across 3 cities, and have leases signed for 2 additional locations.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":4,"created_at":"2025-11-13T16:16:02Z"}]},{"id":318713,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:318713","question":"Hi, I have invested in the company, and have not received any return yet, how can I get my return or refund my stock at present value. There is no communication channel in this regard. Please name a person or email in-order to contact. Regards,","author_name":"Bahram Sadeghi","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-11-02T18:27:01Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-318713","answers":[{"id":319549,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:319549","answer":"Hi Bahram — thank you for your earlier support and for reaching out with your question. Because Citizens is a privately held company, shares purchased through Republic in 2021 don’t trade on any public market, and there is no mechanism for issuing refunds or redeeming shares at a “present value.” Like most private early-stage investments, liquidity generally comes through a future event — for example, an acquisition, secondary sale, or other company-led liquidity program. Until then, the value of the shares is not realized or paid out. We’re committed to keeping all shareholders informed as the company grows, and we regularly share updates through bi-monthly webinars (next one is Nov 17), Republic, email updates, and now through our WeFunder campaign. If you have any specific questions about your 2021 investment paperwork, you can reach out to us at support@citizens.coffee. Thank you again for your support — we truly appreciate all early investors who helped us get to where we are today.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-11-13T16:22:24Z"}]},{"id":318158,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:318158","question":"When can I get my 5 free brunches on the $500 perk level? Thank you and Good luck!","author_name":"Erin Lu","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-10-28T02:53:36Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-318158","answers":[{"id":318535,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:318535","answer":"Thanks so much for your support — we’re thrilled to have you part of the Citizens community! Perks like the 5 free brunches will be distributed once funds officially settle on Wefunder and are transferred to us. That process can take a bit of time — often several weeks or even a couple of months after the campaign closes — as Wefunder finalizes processing and compliance steps. As soon as the funds are received, we’ll send an email to all qualifying investors with instructions for redeeming their perks. We can’t wait to welcome you in for brunch once that next batch is live! 🥂☕","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":0,"created_at":"2025-10-31T16:20:24Z"}]},{"id":316366,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:316366","question":"Hi Justin and Andrew, What is your plan if you're unable to raise the full amount you want from this campaign? Thanks.","author_name":"Senitiki Rokocakau","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-10-05T05:23:49Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-316366","answers":[{"id":317932,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:317932","answer":"Hello Senitiki, great question — and thank you for asking. While we’re excited about the momentum behind this campaign, we’ve structured our growth plan so that progress isn’t dependent on reaching the full raise amount. The funds from this round are primarily allocated toward accelerating our next wave of openings — including our new sites in New York and Texas — and expanding our CPG coffee line. If we were to raise less than our target, we would simply adjust the pace of that rollout, focusing on the most strategic and profitable locations first while continuing to reinvest store-level cash flow. Our model has proven to be self-sustaining at the unit level, and we’ve maintained strong relationships with private investors and lenders who can complement our crowdfund if needed. In short — the full amount allows us to grow faster, but our plan and trajectory remain strong regardless.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-10-24T21:40:37Z"}]},{"id":315363,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:315363","question":"Dear, I hope this message finds you well. I came across your business listing and I’m very interested in learning more about the opportunity. I would appreciate the chance to discuss further details with you. Would you be available for a quick call or Zoom meeting? You can reach me directly at +41 766 501 494, or feel free to book a time that suits you via my Calendly link: https://calendly.com/adam-zhusupov/30min Looking forward to speaking with you soon. Best regards, Adam Zhusupov","author_name":"Adam Zhusupov","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-09-20T08:05:50Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-315363","answers":[{"id":317933,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:317933","answer":"Hi Adam, Thanks for reaching out and for your interest in Citizens. We’d be glad to share more details about the investment opportunity and our current raise. To ensure we can verify all investor inquiries and keep communications secure, please use our official booking link here: https://calendly.com/nate-citizens/citizens-all-day-investor-inquiry-meeting. Once you select a time, I’ll personally join the call and can walk you through our growth plans, financials, and investor materials.","author_name":"Nathan Brantley","votes":0,"created_at":"2025-10-24T21:47:11Z"}]},{"id":313812,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:313812","question":"what is the value of the 5 free brunches on the $500 perk level?","author_name":"Meredith Webb","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-08-27T01:41:14Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-313812","answers":[{"id":314515,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:314515","answer":"Hi Meredith, thanks for the question, providing our T\u0026amp;C's for the perks below,, hope this helps! *A ‘free coffee’ is valued at $6 store purchase. A ‘free brunch’ is valued at a $25 store purchase. The appropriate value to your tier will be added to a house account. This credit can only be redeemed for in-store, regular menu purchases. This excludes retail coffee beans, merchandise \u0026amp; more. This credit may not be used for payment of gratuities. ***‘Coffee’ and ‘Brunch’ for life represents that a house account will be created providing fifty-two coffees or brunches (depending on the investment tier) per year valid for 15 years. If the business is acquired, receives a majority acquisition or a change of control, coffee \u0026amp; brunch for life perks will be withdrawn, but may not be withdrawn before a minimum period of 3 years from original investment date on We Funder","author_name":"Justin Giuffrida","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-09-06T15:46:35Z"}]},{"id":309897,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:309897","question":"How does free brunch for year work?","author_name":"Bernie Mooney","votes":1,"created_at":"2025-06-18T17:14:04Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/citizens.coffee#question-309897","answers":[{"id":314516,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:314516","answer":"G'day Bernie! Detailing the T\u0026amp;C's for the perks below: *A ‘free coffee’ is valued at $6 store purchase. A ‘free brunch’ is valued at a $25 store purchase. The appropriate value to your tier will be added to a house account. This credit can only be redeemed for in-store, regular menu purchases. This excludes retail coffee beans, merchandise \u0026amp; more. This credit may not be used for payment of gratuities. ***‘Coffee’ and ‘Brunch’ for life represents that a house account will be created providing fifty-two coffees or brunches (depending on the investment tier) per year valid for 15 years. If the business is acquired, receives a majority acquisition or a change of control, coffee \u0026amp; brunch for life perks will be withdrawn, but may not be withdrawn before a minimum period of 3 years from original investment date on We Funder","author_name":"Justin Giuffrida","votes":2,"created_at":"2025-09-06T15:47:24Z"}]}],"faq":[{"question":"How does free brunch for year work?","answer":"G'day Bernie! Detailing the T\u0026amp;C's for the perks below: *A ‘free coffee’ is valued at $6 store purchase. A ‘free brunch’ is valued at a $25 store purchase. The appropriate value to your tier will be added to a house account. This credit can only be redeemed for in-store, regular menu purchases. This excludes retail coffee beans, merchandise \u0026amp; more. This credit may not be used for payment of gratuities. ***‘Coffee’ and ‘Brunch’ for life represents that a house account will be created pr..."},{"question":"Any update for previous investors (2024 rolling close) as to when K-1 info for tax-year 2024 will become available?","answer":"Thank you for raising this important point. We’re currently working with Wefunder’s SVP platform on a K-1 distribution plan for 2025, which will ensure that K-1s are generated and distributed properly to investors. Looking ahead, we plan to roll Citizens into a C-Corp structure as we continue to scale. Once that transition is complete, we do not expect to issue K-1s to investors in the future. This step will simplify reporting and align with our long-term growth and capital-raising strategy. ..."},{"question":"Hi Justin and Andrew, 2 questions for the two of you 1. Your income statement for the years 2023 and 2024 show roughly 2 million each year in other expenses, roughly 40% of revenue. Can you give some more detail on what these expenses are? 2. From a strategic perspective, can ...","answer":"Hi Drake, thanks for the question here. Other expenses include pretty much all other operating expenses beyond cost of goods sold and restaurant 4 wall labor. Some of the main categories here are new restaurant expansion expenses, rent, development and legal for real estate, technology and subscriptions to run daily ops. GAAP financials show over half of our new restaurant capital expenses on the P\u0026amp;L which is not a normal reflection of the companies profitability. Citizens as a business i..."},{"question":"Hi Justin and Andrew, You already closed a raise earlier this year over on StartEngine. Why the need to open this round so soon after that last one? Thanks.","answer":"Hi Sentiki, firstly thank you for the investment and your support! That’s a great question, and we appreciate you asking it. The round we closed earlier this year on StartEngine was a strong step forward, but it was a relatively small raise designed to give us momentum. Since then, our growth trajectory has only accelerated, launching Austins new market and securing multiple new sites for expansion. The scale of opportunities in front of us is bigger than ever. This current round is not about..."},{"question":"I've been to the Houston location a few times since it's a few miles from the museum district and I live up in Jersey Village area. Every time I'm there, the food, service and vibes are great. From a business perspective, picking Houston was a great choice. Lower overhead cost...","answer":"Mr Titus! Thank you so much for the support and kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you’ve enjoyed your visits to our Houston location—it’s been an amazing community to be a part of, and we couldn’t agree more about the opportunity here. Lower overhead, strong demographics, and a vibrant dining scene make Houston a perfect market for Citizens, and feedback like yours validates that decision. We’re especially grateful for your commitment to invest in this round—it means a lot to have both your ..."}]}}}