Splash Café

What Splash Café does

Splash Café is a privately held, family-owned restaurant and specialty food products company based in Pismo Beach, California, founded in 1989 and operated since 1991 by owners Joanne and Ross Currie. Its flagship location at 197 Pomeroy Avenue serves as a certified local landmark and a high-volume Central Coast dining destination, producing more than 40,000 gallons of its signature clam chowder annually and approximately 1,400-1,600 fresh sourdough bread bowls per day. The core menu spans clam chowder, seafood (fish and chips, calamari, shrimp, steamers), burgers, sandwiches, tacos, salads, breakfast items, and a full artisan bakery line, with the company consolidating operations to Pismo Beach after closing its San Luis Obispo restaurant on October 30, 2023.

The business model combines dine-in and takeout service at the Pismo Beach flagship with a growing portfolio of physical-product revenue streams. Clam chowder, Carrot Pepper Hot Sauce (Raucous Daucus) made from Bulgarian Carrot Peppers grown at Talley Farms, three Beach BBQ Blend Spice Rubs, custom cakes, pastries, and branded merchandise are shipped nationwide via Goldbelly and (since July 2024) Amazon. Local customers also order directly through the company's own website powered by ChowNow and a mobile app on iOS and Android, with Toast as the point-of-sale system and Riiwards for loyalty. Catering services, expanded to the Pismo Beach location in January 2024, cover corporate events, family gatherings, and special occasions.

Customer segments are diversified across Central Coast tourists, local residents, families, corporate and event catering clients, and a nationwide remote buyer base reached through e-commerce. The company is co-marketing with a curated set of Central Coast tourism operators (Vespera Resort, Madonna Inn, Apple Farm Inn, Sycamore Mineral Springs, Avila Valley Barn, Central Coast Kayaks) and runs an annual charitable program with The Martha Olson-Fernandez Foundation for ALS awareness. Following the SLO closure, Splash Café is relocating its artisan bakery to a dedicated commercial kitchen space to scale wholesale baking and nationwide fulfillment, signaling a strategic pivot toward higher-margin packaged goods alongside its single-location restaurant core.

Name

Splash Café

Legal name

Splash Café

Website

https://splashcafe.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Splash Café is a privately held, family-owned restaurant and specialty food company in Pismo Beach, California, serving award-winning clam chowder, seafood, and artisan bakery items at its flagship location and shipping products nationwide via Goldbelly and Amazon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Casual Dining Restaurant

NAICS

Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251), Retail Bakeries (311811)

SIC

Retail-Eating Places (5812), Bakery Products (2050)

akta.pro primary industry

Cafe-Bakeries (Bakery + Coffee/Foodservice) (THAFAFAG)

Keywords

• Seafood restaurant
• Clam chowder
• Artisan bakery
• Restaurant catering
• Nationwide food shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Pismo Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Dine-in Restaurant Sales: Revenue from customers dining at physical restaurant locations in Pismo Beach, California. Menu includes clam chowder, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, breakfast items, and bakery products.
2. Nationwide Shipping (Goldbelly): Shipped clam chowder and retail products (hot sauce, spice rubs, cakes, merchandise) to customers throughout continental United States via Goldbelly platform. Ships Monday-Thursday.
3. Catering Services: Corporate and event catering including breakfast catering, pastry boxes, family-style platters, custom cakes, and dessert services for special occasions.
4. Amazon E-commerce: Spice rubs and hot sauces sold through Amazon marketplace, expanding direct-to-consumer reach beyond the restaurant and Goldbelly channels.
5. Bakery and Dessert Products: Full-service bakery offering cupcakes, cookies, dessert bars, special occasion cakes, wedding cakes, cake pops, and pastries. Artisanal breads including croissants and sourdough for bread bowls.
6. Merchandise: Branded merchandise including hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, blankets, mugs, and beach totes sold in-store and online.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Splash Café operates a full-service seafood restaurant in Pismo Beach, California, anchored by its award-winning clam chowder served in freshly baked sourdough bread bowls. The business also runs an artisan bakery producing custom cakes, pastries, and desserts, and ships proprietary retail products (clam chowder, Carrot Pepper Hot Sauce, Beach BBQ Blend spice rubs) nationwide via Goldbelly and Amazon.

Product overview

Splash Café is a restaurant and food products company operating primarily as a single-location establishment in Pismo Beach, California. The core offering is its award-winning Clam Chowder, which has won multiple festivals and drives significant revenue through both dine-in service and nationwide shipping. The product portfolio spans three main categories: (1) signature food products including Clam Chowder, Carrot Pepper Hot Sauce, and Beach BBQ Blend Spice Rubs (Smoky Chimi, Smoky Citrus, Smoky Espresso); (2) artisan bakery items including custom cakes, wedding cakes, cupcakes, pastries, and seasonal cake pops; and (3) branded merchandise including beach blankets, apparel, and drinkware. The company operates dine-in restaurant service, catering for events, and e-commerce through Goldbelly and Amazon for nationwide product shipping. The SLO bakery/restaurant closed in October 2023 with operations consolidated at the Pismo Beach location and a commercial bakery kitchen.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Raucous Daucus: Carrot Pepper Hot Sauce product line
• Beach BBQ Blend Spice Rubs
• Splash Bakery

Products and services

• Famous Clam Chowder Award-winning clam chowder made with California cream and three types of clams, fresh celery, potatoes, and vegetables. Served in sourdough bread bowls. Consistently wins 1st place in the Pismo Beach Annual Clam Festival. Ships nationwide via Goldbelly.
• Carrot Pepper Hot Sauce (Raucous Daucus) Medium-heat hot sauce made from Bulgarian Carrot Peppers grown at Talley Farms, red Serranos, and carrots, featuring a sweet and spicy flavor profile. Available in stores and via nationwide shipping.
• Beach BBQ Blend Spice Rubs Three proprietary spice rub blends — Smoky Chimi (sweet basil, parsley, thyme, smoked paprika, citrus, garlic), Smoky Citrus (citrus, smoked paprika, dill, garlic), and Smoky Espresso (cumin, three chilis, espresso). Sold through retail channels and Amazon.
• Artisan Bakery & Desserts Full-service bakery offering cupcakes, cookies, dessert bars, pastries (croissants, cinnamon rolls, muffins), and special occasion cakes including wedding cakes. Operates from a commercial kitchen after relocation from SLO.
• Cake Pops Handmade cake pops in various flavors (Death By Chocolate, Lemon Coconut, Oreo, Valentine's Day, Christmas themes). Available for nationwide shipping through Goldbelly and in-store during holidays.
• Catering Services Catering for events including Pastry Boxes, Breakfast catering, Lunch catering, Family-style platters, Custom cakes, and dessert services. Available for pickup at Pismo Beach location.
• Restaurant Dine-In & Takeout Full-service restaurant at Pismo Beach location (197 Pomeroy Ave) serving clam chowder, seafood (fish & chips, shrimp, calamari, clams), burgers, sandwiches, tacos, salads, wraps, and breakfast items. SLO location closed October 2023.
• Merchandise Branded merchandise including beach blankets, hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, mugs (Surfer Clam mugs), beach totes, and stickers. Available in stores and through Goldbelly nationwide.
• In-Store Menu (Pismo Beach) Full menu including Chowder and Chili, Burgers, Fish & Chips, Steamers, Specialty Sandwiches (Lobster Roll, Shrimp SLO Boy, Ahi Tuna, Salmon), Tacos, Salads, Wraps, Breakfast items, Desserts, and Beverages.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40,000 gallons of clam chowder served annually at Pismo Beach location
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AmazoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2024Expanded distribution partnership launched July 2024. Amazon storefront sells spice rubs and hot sauces (Carrot Pepper Hot Sauce, Smoky Chimi, Smoky Citrus, Smoky Espresso). Provides broader e-commerce reach with Amazon's fulfillment infrastructure.
• The Martha Olson-Fernandez Foundation (MOFF)minorOthers · 1 February 2023Charitable partnership for ALS awareness. On National Clam Chowder Day (Feb 25-26), Splash Café donates 10% of in-store proceeds to MOFF for ALS research and patient care programs in the Central Coast region.
• GoldbellycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive nationwide shipping partner for clam chowder, hot sauce, spice rubs, cakes, and merchandise. Ships products Monday-Thursday throughout continental United States. Goldbelly handles fulfillment and provides marketing exposure to food enthusiasts nationwide.
• Protector CellarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate label wine partnership creating Splash Café branded wines including red, white, and sparkling rosé. Products available at Pismo Beach location.
• Talley FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal farm partnership for growing Bulgarian Carrot Peppers used in Splash Café's Carrot Pepper Hot Sauce (Raucous Daucus). Peppers grown exclusively at Talley Farms in SLO County, then processed at local sauce plant.
• Vespera Resort on Pismo BeachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partnership for spring break promotions and giveaways. Combined promotions featuring resort accommodations and Splash Café products. Joint Instagram giveaway campaigns.
• Central Coast KayaksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partnership for spring break promotions and giveaways. Combined promotions featuring kayak adventures and Splash Café dining experiences. Joint Instagram giveaway campaigns.
• Apple Farm InnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLGBTQIA+-friendly weekend getaway partnership. Combined Pride Month promotions featuring Apple Farm Inn accommodations and Splash Café dining experiences. Joint marketing for local tourism.
• Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & SpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRomantic getaway partnership promoting perfect day itineraries combining Sycamore spa experiences with Splash Café dining. Valentine's Day giveaways and special promotions. Wine and cheese pairing suggestions.
• Avila Valley BarnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutumn experience partnership promoting combined visits to Avila Valley Barn farm activities and Splash Café dining. Joint Instagram giveaway for autumn gift bundle.
• Madonna InnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWinter holiday partnership promoting perfect winter day experiences combining Madonna Inn accommodations with Splash Café dining and gift products. Joint holiday giveaway campaigns.
• ChowNowcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline ordering platform integration for restaurant's website. Powers local pickup and delivery orders for Pismo Beach location.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tabasco: Iconic hot sauce brand with nationwide grocery distribution and brand recognition built around a single signature pepper product. Comparable to Splash Café's Raucous Daucus as a flagship hot sauce product with CPG brand potential.
• Tartine Bakery: San Francisco-based artisan bakery with national brand recognition in pastries, breads, and cakes. Comparable to Splash Café's artisan bakery operations and specialty bakery product line, though primarily a bakery rather than a restaurant.
• Cholula Hot Sauce: Established premium hot sauce brand with nationwide grocery distribution and strong specialty food positioning. Comparable to Splash Café's Raucous Daucus as a mid-heat premium hot sauce with artisanal positioning.
• Legal Sea Foods: Established East Coast seafood restaurant chain with nationwide brand recognition and retail CPG product lines (clam chowder, sauces). Comparable to Splash Café as a seafood-focused restaurant brand that has pursued packaged retail product expansion.

Direct peers

• Boudin Bakery: Iconic San Francisco sourdough bakery and cafe chain that built a national brand around its signature clam chowder served in sourdough bread bowls. Directly comparable to Splash Café's hybrid bakery-restaurant model and signature chowder-in-bread-bowl offering.
• Fisherman's Grotto: Long-standing San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf seafood restaurant serving clam chowder and seafood in a waterfront tourist setting. Direct peer in waterfront seafood/destination dining format similar to Splash Café.
• Magnolia Bakery: Iconic New York bakery with nationwide Goldbelly shipping for cakes, cupcakes, and specialty baked goods. Direct peer in bakery product line expansion through Goldbelly and iconic dessert product positioning.
• Pike Place Chowder: Seattle-based specialty chowder shop that has won multiple national 'Best Chowder' awards and is a major tourist destination. Direct peer in clam chowder specialty and tourism-driven retail, also distributed via Goldbelly for nationwide shipping.
• Scoma's: San Francisco waterfront seafood restaurant serving as a destination dining experience similar to Splash Café's Pismo Beach Pier landmark. Comparable in iconic seafood restaurant positioning and tourist-driven demand.

Emerging players

• Levain Bakery: NYC-based artisan bakery famous for its signature cookies that has expanded via Goldbelly nationwide shipping and selective physical locations. Comparable to Splash Café's signature specialty product (clam chowder) and Goldbelly-driven DTC expansion model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/splashcafe
• Xx.com/splashcafe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/splash-cafe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Splash Café