From the Outer Banks to the national stage: Front Porch Café’s journey from local staple to franchise firepower on The Blox

Read the full article: https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2025/08/04/from-the-outer-banks-to-the-national-stage-front-porch-cafes-journey-from-local-staple-to-franchise-firepower-on-the-blox/#

What started as a small-town coffeehouse rooted in the sandy shores of the Outer Banks is now brewing something much bigger. Front Porch Café, North Carolina’s original specialty coffee brand, has officially stepped into the national spotlight, thanks in part to its powerful showing on the hit entrepreneurial reality series The Blox. Owned by Laura and Phil Wayland, Front Porch Café has long been a community cornerstone in the OBX region. Known for its relaxed coastal vibes, exceptional coffee, and local charm, the brand had already grown to three company-owned cafés by the time Laura joined the cast of The Blox. But their participation in the show didn’t just mark a TV milestone; it sparked a movement.  “We entered The Blox with one goal in mind: franchise expansion,” said Laura. “We knew we had something special, but the show gave us the confidence, clarity, and connections to scale it. Today, we’ve grown to four company-owned locations with our newest café just opened in Kitty Hawk, and our first franchise location is coming to Raleigh by the end of the summer.”  The Blox, created by Wes Bergmann of MTV’s The Challenge, brings together ambitious founders from across the country to test their entrepreneurial grit, compete in intense challenges, and pitch their businesses in real time. For the Waylands, it was more than competition. It was a transformation.

“The biggest breakthrough wasn’t just business, it was personal,” Laura shared. “I realized my story mattered. I stopped hiding the hard parts, like maxed-out credit cards and building the business while raising kids with no childcare. That’s the heart of entrepreneurship. The Blox helped me own that. It gave me the courage to show up as the owner and leader I already was, but now I speak it out loud.”   From local favorite to franchise force  Front Porch Café is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting emerging franchise brands in the country. With strong unit economics, a deeply loyal customer base, and a coastal identity that’s impossible to replicate, the brand is perfectly positioned for national growth. Their experience on The Blox only accelerated their momentum.

Since filming, the Waylands have deepened connections with fellow cast members, creating partnerships that now support Front Porch Café’s operations. They’ve integrated products and services from other Blox entrepreneurs into their business, showing that The Blox is more than a show; it’s a lifelong community.  “We’re not just growing locations. We’re growing relationships, opportunities, and a movement,” said Laura. “We’re bringing the vibes of the beach and our really great coffee to new cities. Virginia is next, and we’re just getting started.”  

Café, community and camera time

Front Porch Café appears early in Season 17 of The Blox and sticks around all the way through some of the season’s most exciting final-stage moments. For Laura, it was a full-circle experience.  “I’ve been watching Wes on TV for 25 years. Getting to join him and this cast on the other side of the screen was surreal,” she said. “It was tough, intense, emotional—but it changed everything.”  About Front Porch Café  Founded in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Front Porch Café is a specialty coffee brand built on authentic community connection, outstanding service and bold coastal flavor.With four company-owned cafés and the first franchise opening in Raleigh, the brand is expanding across the Southeast and beyond. Front Porch Café’s vision is simple: connect people over coffee and create spaces that feel like home, wherever they pop up.  

Learn more or inquire about franchising at frontporchcafe.com.  

About The Blox  

The Blox is a high-intensity reality series created by serial entrepreneur Wes Bergmann. Designed for founders ready to grow, pitch and be challenged, The Blox has become a platform where startups sharpen their strategies and form lifelong business networks. With past seasons available on Prime Video and new episodes airing weekly on Facebook Watch and the official Blox app, the series continues to spotlight the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Watch episodes of Season 17 now on Facebook: facebook.com/share/v/14vkBZem5a/

Read more at: https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2025/08/04/from-the-outer-banks-to-the-national-stage-front-porch-cafes-journey-from-local-staple-to-franchise-firepower-on-the-blox/#