Burgeoning Cafe Chain Philz Coffee Plans Boston Expansion

San Francisco-based chain Philz Coffee has another big expansion in the works. After planting roots in Washington, D.C. earlier this year, Philz is eyeing Boston for its second round of East Coast growth. Forbes reports chief executive officer Jacob Jaber hopes to be up and running in its new city sometime in 2017.

Philz opened its first San Fran shop in 2002, and it has since become a major presence in California. The chain boasts 27 cafes in the Bay Area, six more in Los Angeles and San Diego, and another two in D.C. It's a favorite among the Silicon Valley set thanks to locations connected to Apple's and Facebook's headquarters. Founder Phil Jaber — Jacob's father — launched the brand with the idea of giving customers pour-over coffee — a bit of a novelty back in '02 — in a wide variety of flavors.

The latest expansion plans are possible thanks to a recent round of venture capital funding. With the help of an equity firm, Jacob Jaber recently raised $45 million, according to Forbes, and the cash will be used in "an on-going effort to push his family's business outside of the Bay Area." The Jabers hope to have 50 locations in business by the end of next year.