Paramount Cafe

Paramount Cafe is an American multinational chain of coffeehouses that operates in Concord, New Hampshire. It was founded by Dr. John and Alceo Bechtold in 1953.
== History ==
=== Background ===
The chain's background is traced back to 1953 when Dr. John and Alceo Bechtold came up with the idea of serving up gourmet coffee and hot cocoa on the streets of Concord, New Hampshire. It was founded as Dr. John-Bechtold Cafe and was renamed as Concord Cafe after they opened a branch in Concord, Massachusetts. The cafe was named after their father who had lived in Concord since his childhood. They were joined by Joseph DiPietro who came up with the idea of selling food in addition to coffee.
By 1969, the chain agreed to be acquired by Gulf and Western Industries for $27.2 million.  The transaction was finalized in 1971. Gulf and Western renamed the chain to Paramount Cafe in 1977 after the iconic film production company, Paramount Pictures. Paramount Cafe, Inc. was created as a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures Corporation and was restructured to focus on selling hot drinks and snacks. The reorganization was the brainchild of Michael Eisner who was the CEO of Paramount Pictures at that time.
In 1989, the chain's owner, Gulf and Western sells off its other assets through the course of the 1980s, ultimately rebrands to Paramount Communications.
In January 1992, looking to reduce its debt, Paramount Communications sold Paramount Cafe to the Boston-based company Beacon Associates for $140 million. Beacon Associates had previously managed restaurants, but lacked coffeehouse experience. The acquisition was completed on March 31, 1992.
=== The 2000s ===
In 2002, the company announced a partnership with the New England Patriots. A deal that would last for a year. As part of the deal, the cafe would serve as a corporate suite for a variety of events. The deal was expected to help revamp the cafe's image in Boston.
In 2004, the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At the time of filing for bankruptcy, the company had more than 160 locations with about 30 more under development. By July 2005, the company emerged from bankruptcy.
In June 2006, the company's ownership changed again. It was purchased by its management, in a deal with Boston-based company Brentwood Associates and investment firm Madison Dearborn Partners, which also provided $15 million in financing. 
In July 2007, the chain announced the hiring of Paul Lukas as president. In December 2007, Paramount Cafe launched its first new menu in four years. The "Paramount Cafe Menu: 2008" included new sandwiches, an expanded selection of salads and entrée salads, new breakfast options, and the new Signature Drinks line.
In 2009, the chain opened its first cafe in the international market with its debut store in Canada. The store opened in Toronto, Ontario.
=== 2010s - Today ===
In 2010, the chain announced plans to open 20 to 30 new stores each year. The chain also announced plans to grow its market share to 10 percent in the Northeast by 2013, up from about 7 percent at the time. At the time, the chain had 220 cafes in the Northeast with plans to expand into New Jersey and New York. It also planned to grow its presence in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
In May 2016, the chain was sued for $5 million by former CEO Michael Kroger, who claimed he was fired in February 2015 due to age and sex discrimination. The complaint was dismissed in October 2017 by a Massachusetts Superior Court judge on the grounds that "statute of limitations had run out."  In June 2017, the chain was sued for $3 million by an employee who alleged sexual harassment by a manager.
In August 2019, the company launched a new cafe menu. It was the first time in four years that the chain updated its menu. The new menu, named as "The New Menu at Paramount Cafe: 2019" was the first to feature a "Meatless Menu" offering meatless options for the first time. Today, as of 2021, Paramount Cafe operates in over 280 locations in the northeastern United States.
== Ownership ==
Paramount Cafe is owned and operated by its management. In 2002, it was purchased by its management, in a deal with Boston-based company Brentwood Associates, and investment firm Madison Dearborn Partners. Its management wholly owns the chain, and since the chain is a privately owned company, its financial data is not public.
== Service and products ==
Paramount Cafe is best known for serving up gourmet coffee, hot chocolate and food, and offers a variety of drinks such as tea, cappuccino, mochas, espressos, flavored coffees and other beverages, the chain's menu also has signature drinks like Tazo chai, chamomile mint tea, lemonade, and its own blended beverages.
It also offers breakfast menu items such as muffins, cookies, doughnuts, pastries, and scones. Its lunch menu features paninis, soups, salads and sandwiches. The chain also offers fresh bakery items, soups, sandwiches, and salads for breakfast and lunch, and the chain also offers desserts and snacks as well.
The chain does not always have a standardized menu across for all of its locations.
== Location ==
Paramount Cafe operates in 280 locations in the northeastern United States. The chain is primarily concentrated in the Northeastern United States. However, it has a presence in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, D.C. The chain is absent in New York, Connecticut, and Virginia.
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