It’s no wonder coffee franchises are popular. The industry is soon projected to bring in over a trillion dollars (yes, with a T!) in revenue. That said, it’ll still take the right business to get in on the opportunity.
But what coffee franchise is best for you? That’ll depend on your finances, personal values, and belief in the business. Below, we’ve provided 22 different coffee franchising opportunities to help you make the right call.
Table of Contents
- 1) Beans & Brews
- 2) Ziggi’s Coffee
- 3) PJ’s Coffee
- 4) Just Love Coffee Cafe
- 5) Aroma Joe’s Coffee
- 6) Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee & Smoothies
- 7) Dunkin’ (Formerly Dunkin’ Donuts)
- 8) The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
- 9) Scooter’s Coffee
- 10) Biggby Coffee
- 11) Dunn Brothers Coffee
- 12) Coffee Beanery
- 13) Xpresso Delight
- 14) Gloria Jean’s Coffees
- 15) Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea
- 16) Ellianos Coffee
- 17) It’s A Grind Coffee House
- 18) DRNK Coffee + Tea
- 19) Bottoms Up Espresso
- 20) Euro Cafe
- 21) The Human Bean
- 22) Caribou Coffee Franchise
- Why Isn’t Starbucks or Dutch Bros on the List?
- How Unsecured Funding Source Can Help
1) Beans & Brews
Total Startup Costs: $400,000 – $647,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000
Beans & Brews separates itself as a premium coffee provider. Their brews are roasted in high-altitude climates that offer the perfect temperature for the process. The business began in Salt Lake City, Utah. But now the brand’s coffees, services, and charitable giving efforts are gaining ground in multiple nearby states.
For more information, visit their website.
2) Ziggi’s Coffee
Total Startup Costs: $199,700 – $910,500
Initial Franchise Fee: $40,000
Ziggi’s Coffee started with just a small corner location in Longmont, Colorado. But the brand’s simple mission of providing a convenient, superior cup of coffee has taken it much farther. The company now operates in multiple states out of independent cafes and drive-thru models.
Franchisees will have the option of multiple business models themselves. However, the company is prioritizing the development of double-sided drive-thru locations with no internal customer seating.
For more information, see their website.
3) PJ’s Coffee
Total Startup Costs: $406,000 – $1,024,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $35,000
PJ’s Coffee began in New Orleans but has now expanded into several other states. Their wide assortment of beverages is sourced internationally from countries such as Ethiopia, Columbia, and Papua New Guinea. The brand is also a proud sponsor of charitable organizations such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and Habitat for Humanity.
Franchisees will not only be able to represent their diverse and delicious product line, but will also receive extensive hands-on support. PJ’s Coffee offers assistance from the building of locations to the training of future staff members.
For more information, see their website.
4) Just Love Coffee Cafe
Total Startup Costs: $333,500 – $563,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $39,000
Just Love Coffee Cafe believes a coffee shop is a community. Their socially conscious brand looks to make customers of all kinds comfortable in their cafes. As a franchisee, you’ll tap into their inclusive and giving culture as you serve visitors for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.
For more information, see their website.
5) Aroma Joe’s Coffee
Total Startup Costs: $283,500+
Initial Franchise Fee: $12,500 – $25,000
Aroma Joe’s Coffee has rapidly expanded from its original New England base. Now with locations up and down the east coast, this business serves local communities an assortment of premium hot and cold coffees as well as their proprietary energy drink.
Aroma Joe’s Coffee is also 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified. This ensures the brand’s beans are farmed with sustainability efforts in mind and are ethically sourced.
For more information, see their website.
6) Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee & Smoothies
Total Startup Costs: $28,900 – $193,050 (Mobile Operating Unit at Events), $35,100 – $238,050 (Mobile Operating Unit at Permanent Site), $96,350 – $1,074,000 (Fixed Operating Unit)
Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000
Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee & Smoothies offers a unique opportunity to bring tropical vibes directly to customers. That’s because franchisees can acquire concession trailers, food trucks, or even three of their own Ka’anapali Carts. These mobile units can bring island-inspired beverages to customers at a variety of events.
Franchisees can also select fixed business models, which include kiosks and full-size shops. The kiosks are perfect for busy shopping centers, and the larger shops provide a Hawaiian twist on the traditional cafe.
For more information, see their website.
7) Dunkin’ (Formerly Dunkin’ Donuts)
Total Startup Costs: $526,900 – $1,787,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $40,000 – $90,000
Royalties: Recurring royalty fees of 2-6%, and ad fees of 5%
Dunkin’ has one of the most recognized brand names in the coffee industry, and its business model has more than proven itself. Presently, there are over 9,000 open locations across the country. As a franchisee, you’ll have the opportunity to be yet another success story for this cafe titan.
For more information, see their website.
8) The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Total Startup Costs: $192,250 – $785,500
Initial Franchise Fee: $15,000 – $25,000
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf sets itself apart from competitors with its top-notch ingredients. The company prides itself on using the top 1% of Arabica beans from foreign locations such as East Africa and Latin America. While the business originally started in California, it has now grown to over 1,000 locations across the globe.
For more information, see their website.
9) Scooter’s Coffee
Total Startup Costs: $794,000 – $1,264,500
Initial Franchise Fee: $40,000
Scooter’s Coffee puts coffee in the hands of its customers with speed. Their compact, drive-thru locations offer behind-the-wheel clients a quick route to the roast of their choice. The brand has quickly expanded from its roots in Nebraska, and now services people in multiple states with over 200 locations.
For more information, see their website.
10) Biggby Coffee
Total Startup Costs: $276,000 – $439,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $20,000
Biggby Coffee began in 1995 with the simple purpose of loving others and providing top-notch coffees. This easy-to-understand aim has more than hit its mark. The brand has grown to over 200 locations across the country and seeks to positively impact even more communities through its franchise network.
For more information, see their website.
11) Dunn Brothers Coffee
Total Startup Costs: $501,620 – $739,232
Initial Franchise Fee: $40,000
Dunn Brothers Coffee sees coffee as an art form. The business roasts small batches of coffee in its stores every day and provides premium, hand-crafted beverages to its customers. The brand also emphasizes the importance of quality ingredients when preparing its fresh foods.
For more information, see their website.
12) Coffee Beanery
Total Startup Costs: $200,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $15,000
Coffee Beanery has come a long way from its sole location in Michigan in 1976. The business now serves an assortment of specialty coffees and teas with over 100 locations in the U.S., and 20 more internationally. As a franchisee, you’ll be able to help take the brand’s passion for coffee and community to the next level.
For more information, see their website.
13) Xpresso Delight
Total Startup Costs: $84,000 – $107,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $37,500
Xpresso Delight provides an automated coffee system to its clients. Customers (usually businesses) are provided with espresso machines to quench their cafe cravings at the times most convenient to them.
Additionally, the company’s service includes delivery, installation, and maintenance of the systems. As a franchisee, you’ll be provided with the necessary tools to provide these all-in-one coffee shop machines yourself.
For more information, see their website.
14) Gloria Jean’s Coffees
Total Startup Costs: $300,000 to $400,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $7,500 to $15,000
Gloria Jean’s Coffees started as just one Chicago-based shop back in 1979. However, the company has now exploded into an international brand with over 600 locations in 40 different countries. With a franchise of your own, you’ll be able to provide their hand-crafted, sustainably-sourced coffees yourself.
For more information, see their website.
15) Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea
Total Startup Costs: $260,076 – $393,174
Initial Franchise Fee: $49,500
Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea brings a global palate to their classic cafe environments. Customers have internationally inspired options at their fingertips, which include their various coffees, teas, and frozen drinks.
For more information, see their website.
16) Ellianos Coffee
Total Startup Costs: $397,500 – $690,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $25,000
Ellianos Coffee aims to provide premium Italian coffees at a rate that keeps up with busy Americans. Their double-sided drive-thru locations have given the brand a strong foothold in the Southeast. Now the business is looking for franchisees to help them expand into other nearby territories.
For more information, see their website.
17) It’s A Grind Coffee House
Total Startup Costs: $200,000 – $500,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $15,000 – $25,000
It’s A Grind Coffee House is a coffee brand looking to expand from its Southern California base. Franchisees are offered multiple different models including multi-sized stores, drive-thrus, and kiosks. The company is particularly focused on developing in neighborhood centers, colleges, hospitals, and airports.
For more information, see their website.
18) DRNK Coffee + Tea
Total Startup Costs: $253,150 – $515,500
Initial Franchise Fee: $40,000
DRNK Coffee + Tea prides itself on being a continuous disruptor in the coffee industry. The brand’s values of progress, organic options, and ethical sourcing keep it in line with the latest consumer demands. On top of that, the company consistently invests in research and development projects to keep its franchisees ahead of the curve.
For more information, see their website.
19) Bottoms Up Espresso
Total Startup Costs: $110,000 – $250,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $35,100 – $39,000
Bottoms Up Espresso places a sexy twist on your typical coffee. Their “bikini baristas” serve customers an assortment of coffees, smoothies, food, and energy drinks. The company is now rapidly expanding from its foothold in the central California area.
For more information, see their website.
20) Euro Cafe
Total Startup Costs: $248,400 – $445,500
Initial Franchise Fee: $15,000
Euro Cafe provides European-quality coffees along with gourmet foods to its American and Canadian customer base. Franchisees have the option of opening a single unit in a protected territory, or they can become part of an area development franchise. This secondary option opens the door to owning multiple franchises in a larger area with a series of locations.
For more information, see their website.
21) The Human Bean
Total Startup Costs: $346,825 – $835,225
Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000
The Human Bean brings an efficient model to customers and business owners alike. Their double-sided drive-thrus keep coffee drinkers coming and going, and franchisees get to run their own locations with no royalty fees!
For more information, see their website.
22) Caribou Coffee Franchise
Minimum Cash Requirement: $3,000,000
As one of the most recognizable brands on this list, Caribou Coffee has had a staggering amount of success. With hundreds of shops held domestically and abroad, you can be sure you’re working with a proven business model.
If you’re serious about getting into the coffee game this franchise is a heavy hitter. As a franchisee, you’ll be required to commit to a minimum of 10 locations when becoming part of the Caribou family. Franchise options come in two forms: cabins (drive-thru only) and coffeehouses (traditional coffee shops).
For more information, see their website.
Why Isn’t Starbucks or Dutch Bros on the List?
Believe it or not, Starbucks doesn’t offer franchises. All worldwide stores are company-owned. Instead, you’ll have to go the route of licensing a store. However, the barriers to entry for this can be quite high and out of reach for the typical investor.
You may also be familiar with Dutch Bros coffee. Unfortunately, the brand discontinued its franchise opportunities. Only employees who rise the ranks internally will be now able to oversee a location.
How Unsecured Funding Source Can Help
At Unsecured Funding Source, we love helping our clients launch their franchises. Our loans come with quick pre-approvals, competitive rates, and a simple application process. And our new Jumpstart LoanSM is specifically designed for franchise purchases.
If you’re interested in starting any of the coffee franchises above, let’s talk! You can reach out to us at 866-475-4254, or apply online now.