PHILADELPHIA - What started as two childhood friends roasting small-batch coffee and serving it from a converted delivery truck in Philadelphia's Love Park has grown into one of the city's most respected local roasters. Now, Rival Bros Coffee is taking its biggest step yet—heading to the suburbs for the first time.
The company has signed a lease for its sixth cafe at Eagle Village Shops in Wayne, marking the first Rival Bros location outside Philadelphia city limits. The new spot, at 503 W. Lancaster Avenue (Suite 210), is slated to open in spring 2027.
A Humble Start on Wheels
In 2011, former chef Jonathan Adams and La Colombe veteran Damien Pileggi—longtime friends from Bucks County—launched Rival Bros as a mobile coffee operation. They retrofitted a delivery truck with high-end gear, including a La Marzocco espresso machine and pour-over stations. They began serving meticulously roasted blends like Revolver, Whistle & Cuss, Featherweight, and the decaf Palooka.
The truck became a familiar sight around Center City. The duo's approach—thoughtful sourcing, daily roasting, and a pragmatic Philly attitude—quickly built a following. By 2014, they opened their first brick-and-mortar cafe in Fitler Square at 2400 Lombard Street. Today Rival Bros operates five cafes across Philadelphia, a roastery in the Frankford section of Northeast Philly where it roasts beans daily, and a growing wholesale business.
The Suburban Leap
The Wayne cafe will occupy roughly 2,100 square feet, taking over the ground floor and part of the basement of a two-story building. Plans call for 40 to 50 seats indoors and about 15 outside (numbers that may still shift). The project is expected to create 12 to 15 jobs.
Philadelphia-based Stokes Architecture + Design, which has worked with Rival Bros before, is handling the interiors and a facade refresh. The cafe will sit among neighbors such as Autograph Brasserie, A Taste of Britain, and Pure Barre at the Haverford Retail Partners-owned shopping center.
"We've been thoughtful about how and where we grow, and Wayne feels like the right next step," said James Narog, the company's partner and chief marketing officer. He described the expansion beyond city limits as an "important moment." The company also sees opportunity to expand its retail and wholesale presence across the Main Line and wider suburbs.
In its own announcement, Rival Bros called the move a big milestone as it celebrates 15 years: "We're looking forward to putting down roots, meeting our new neighbors, and becoming part of the Wayne community."
What to Expect
Like its Philly locations, the Wayne cafe will serve house-roasted drip coffee, Chemex pour-overs, a full range of espresso drinks, loose-leaf teas, and grab-and-go options. Food offerings typically include sandwiches, toasts, and daily pastries from local partners such as Au Fournil and The Mighty Bread Co.
For Main Line residents who have long made the trip into the city (or ordered bags online), the new cafe brings a taste of Philly specialty coffee closer to home. For Rival Bros, it represents the next chapter in a story that began with two friends, a truck, and a commitment to doing coffee the right way—slowly, carefully, and with neighborhood roots.
Wayne, prepare your mugs. The Rival Bros are coming.
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