The Fairfax Girl Team 
DC-based fast casual chain Toastique is opening a new location in Reston. The concept is locally grown, and so is the team behind the Reston location at 11900 Inspiration Street. Sharon Morgan-Barnhart, a longtime Reston resident, is the owner, and her stepson, Jake Barnhart, a NOVA native, is the manager. For this Northern Virginia family, bringing Toastique to the community is both a business venture and a personal passion project rooted in health, hospitality, and hometown pride. Read on for more about Sharon and Jake’s inspiration, and what will make the Reston location special.
Homegrown Team
Jake Barnhart is a Herndon native and George Mason University graduate. Though he initially pursued a career in finance after college, the restaurant industry always felt like home. “I worked in restaurants all throughout college and absolutely loved it,” Jake said. “After graduating, I moved into finance, but I just wasn’t happy. Then the opportunity with Toastique came along at exactly the right time.”
For Sharon Barnhart, the move into franchise ownership represents an exciting new chapter. She and her husband began exploring business ownership as they considered what their next phase might look like. Sharon works in Reston Town Center and has long admired the area’s growth.
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Reston Town Center felt like the natural choice. With its two Metro stations, bustling office presence, local events, trails, and fitness culture, the area continues to grow rapidly. “I think Reston is going to be the next Tysons,” Sharon said. “There’s so much development and energy here. It’s exciting.”
Why Toastique?
Jake first discovered Toastique years ago at its Alexandria location. The brand’s bright aesthetic, fresh ingredients, and elevated but approachable menu stuck with him. “I loved that it was healthy but still convenient,” Jake said.
At Toastique, menu items like peanut butter, onion jam, and hummus are prepared from scratch. The concept blends fast service with high-quality ingredients, something Jake believes fits perfectly with Northern Virginia’s on-the-go lifestyle. “So much is made in-house. You can point and say, ‘That hummus was made right back there.’ That matters,” he said.
Salmon toast at Toastique. Image courtesy of Toastique.
For Sharon, Toastique suited her own wishlist for what the area was missing. “We’re very health-conscious,” Sharon explained. “We work out, we eat well, and it’s surprisingly hard to find fast, casual food that’s truly healthy and still tastes amazing. With everything going on today regarding food processing and chemicals, it’s important to us to bring something genuinely good to the community,” Sharon said. “The food here is phenomenal. It’s healthy, quick, and accessible.”
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Sharon, a qualified wine professional, is looking forward to pairing select menu items with wines and brunch cocktails. Guests can expect curated mimosa pairings featuring house-made juices, along with a small selection of mixed drinks, like margaritas, designed specifically to complement the food. “We’re very into culinary experiences,” Sharon shared. “We want it to feel fun, fresh, and intentional.”
Neighbors can expect a dedicated kids menu, which Sharon and Jake say will be a welcome addition to busy families in the area. The menu also features vegan and gluten-free items, and there will be a cooler full of grab-and-go items for patrons. The grand opening will be on March 7th, with fun giveaways and activities for visitors.
Toastique, located 11900 Inspiration Street, will be open from 7AM to 5PM, seven days a week.
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