The Pancakery, a breakfast and brunch restaurant with locations in Destin and Panama City Beach, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with renovated interiors, new branded merchandise and an entrance into franchising.
- Co-owners Daryl Battaglia and Ricky Lehrmann opened the original Destin location in March 2011, building the concept around gourmet pancakes, handcrafted crepes, omelettes and brunch staples in a family-friendly setting.
The two have been friends for nearly 40 years, having met at age 8 in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, where they played basketball together and even ran a small candy and baseball card operation at school. They remained close through school and college — with a brief stint in a rock band in between — before eventually settling on the Emerald Coast and opening The Pancakery together.
The brand expanded to Panama City Beach in 2017. Both locations have since become regular destinations for residents and vacationers along the Emerald Coast.
To mark the anniversary, The Pancakery has redesigned the interiors of both restaurants with what the company describes as an updated coastal aesthetic, while keeping the casual, welcoming feel the brand is known for.
The team also launched a new merchandise line that includes branded coffee mugs, pancake batter, koozies and T-shirts featuring phrases like “Baby Got Stacks,” “Wake ‘N Pancake” and a limited-edition “Locals Stick Together” shirt intended as a nod to longtime local customers.
The anniversary also coincides with the launch of a franchising program. The Pancakery said it has fielded franchise inquiries over the years and is now moving forward with those opportunities. Information is available on the company’s franchise website.
“We couldn’t be more grateful for the support of our community over the past 15 years,” Battaglia said. “This anniversary is a celebration of the guests, families, and team members who have made us part of their traditions and special moments.”
The Pancakery plans to roll out additional specials and community-focused events throughout the remainder of 2026 as part of the anniversary celebration. Updates will be posted on the restaurant’s Destin and Panama City Beach Facebook pages.
