Sweet Chick & Ludlow Coffee Supply

John Seymour, the founder and CEO of Sweet Chick & Ludlow Coffee Supply, was born and raised in New York City. John grew up working in an Irish pub alongside his Tipperary-born father, who instilled in him a deep passion for hospitality and community. After spending more than a decade in NYC’s nightlife scene, John opened his first restaurant, Pop’s – a neighborhood burger joint in Williamsburg, Brooklyn – in 2008.

In 2013, John founded Sweet Chick. Inspired by the origin story of chicken and waffles – a late night soul food staple for Harlem musicians in the 1930s – he transformed a cozy casual restaurant into a cult-ural hub for creatives, attracting celebrities and tastemakers from around the world. Under his leadership, Sweet Chick has expanded into a five-store concept and signed its first franchisee in 2025. The brand is now poised to grow into a national franchise.

Ludlow Coffee Supply opened its doors in 2016 and quickly became a Lower East Side staple, drawing customers from across the globe. The brand has since expanded to South Florida, with additional locations planned in New York, Los Angeles, and Florida in 2026.

Over the years, both Sweet Chick and Ludlow Coffee Supply have collaborated with creators, artists, and celebrities to build unique communities, with John at the helm driving culture and connection. Currently, the two brands operate seven locations across New York and South Florida, with more openings planned nationwide.