Do you want to start a cafe business by buying a franchise? If YES, here are 12 best cafe franchise opportunities for sale and their cost. A cafe is a small restaurant where coffee and other light meals and drinks are served. While a lot of people take a coffee shop to mean the same thing as a café, but there are some subtle differences between the two.
Some coffee businesses that have these unique differences in their names do observe the reason for such differences, while others take the two to mean the very same thing. Although “coffee shop” is labeled as a synonym for “cafe” according to the dictionary, but there is a little difference between these words and a lot of it has to do with what they sell.
A coffee shop is usually known to sell different types of coffee on a sit down or take out basis, while cafe may split its focus between both coffee and food. Officially, a cafe can even be called a restaurant while a coffee shop would probably not fall under that same category. Coffee shops are sometimes known to offer light snacks in addition to their sell of coffee, all in the bid to maximize profit.
A local cafe owner might spend more money and resources in trying to create a pleasant and eye-catching atmosphere while a coffee shop owner might not. This goes to show that cafes are usually classier than your roadside coffee shop.
While you have these descriptions in mind, you should also note that some entrepreneurs use these names interchangeably, and it may not really reflect on the fare their serve in their shops. But be that as it may, if you want to exclusively buy a café franchise, there are quite a few suitable ones in the United States. They include;
12 Best Cafe Business Franchise Opportunities for Sale and Their Cost
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Corner Bakery Cafe
Corner Bakery started out as a bread bakery in downtown Chicago in 1991, but it subtly evolved into a fast-casual cafe serving sandwiches, paninis, soups, salads, breakfast and desserts. The brand began franchising in 2006.
Corner Bakery Cafe is sometimes known as a fast and casual restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though not not all its locations are this vast. The menu usually includes freshly prepared dishes including pancakes, oats, sandwiches, soup, pastries, coffee, juice, and more. They also pride themselves on having a best-in-class catering platform.
The company is currently on the look-out for franchisees. As a franchisee, they will assist you every step of the way, from site selection to grand opening. The required initial investment of the franchise runs from $10,000 to $1.9 million, plus an ongoing royalty fee of 5%. The contract length is 10 years.
Corner Bakery Cafe has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover startup costs and equipment for its franchisees.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $843,000 – $2,378,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $25,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
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Brioche Doree
If you are looking for a cafe inspired by the parisian style, Brioche Doree is the right franchise for you. This French influenced cafe serves up croissants, breads, and coffee in a fast casual atmosphere. Brioche Doree has over 500 locations in countries across the world and serves over 300,000 customers daily.
The Brioche Doree brand prides itself on innovation, their European roots and their commitment to eco-friendly practices. They offer environmentally friendly packaging made from recyclable materials and encourage their local bakery cafés to think green by implementing recyclable sorting and the use of coffee grounds as plant fertilizer. Brioche Doree is looking to open franchises in Washington, Chicago, and other large markets across the United States.
Financial Requirements
- Cash Required: $30,000
- Initial Investment: $120,000 – $230,000
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Cafè Barbera
Cafè Barbera is a very successful cafe in the United States though it got its roots from Italy. The cafe features a wide variety of hot and cold espresso, macchiato, cappucino and latte drinks, as well as specialty coffees with flavorful syrups, sauces, chilled foam milk and fancy toppings.
All their coffee drinks are prepared by baristas on manual espresso machines with no automatic push buttons. Each barista goes through extensive training and education in their coffee and brewing techniques before they’re ready to make a hand-crafted coffee drink.
Along with the highest quality freshly roasted coffee products, each Cafè Barbera offers a variety of locally-sourced, fresh, healthy Italian and Mediterranean food items like pastries, hot and cold sandwiches on Panini and Ciabatta breads, and a large array of freshly made pastas, soups and salads.
Franchise Costs
- Cash Investment: $100,000
- Investment Range: $187,000 – $305,000
- Franchise Fees: $35,000
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Just Love Coffee Cafe
Just Love Coffee & Eatery franchise serves high-end, specialty coffee and a unique food menu in a community-minded, family-friendly coffee shop setting that delivers affordable, memorable food and hand-roasted, perfectly brewed coffee.
Founded in 2009 as an online coffee service to help support families through the adoption process, Just Love Coffee & Eatery has grown to a franchise concept with multiple locations open in the booming area of Nashville, Tennessee. Just Love Coffee & Eatery is inviting entrepreneurs and savvy investors to get in on the ground floor of this exciting new opportunity in the projected $48 billion U.S. coffee house market as they ramp up for a rapid nationwide expansion.
Led by an executive team with proven experience in growing franchise systems, Just Love Coffee Cafe is an opportunity for first-time and experienced entrepreneurs, as well as savvy investors to get in on the ground floor of the most exciting investment opportunity in the $12 billion U.S. coffee shop industry.
Financial requirements
- Total Investment – $230,000 – $354,000
- Cash Required – $50,000
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Gloria Jean’s Coffee cafe
Investing in a franchise business is exciting; whether you are looking for a lifestyle change, the challenge of owning and operating your own business, or you want to be a part of a business that provides exceptional coffee, delicious food and excellent service to your local community
Gloria Jean’s Coffees is one of the most loved and respected coffee franchises in the world. Gloria Jean’s is all about coffee and they are passionate about excellence and innovation in their range of handcrafted coffee drinks, signature cold drinks, blended and estate whole bean coffee, specialty teas, quality food and merchandise. The company is looking out for like-minded entrepreneurs to join in on their franchise.
Financial requirements
- Liquid Capital Required: $200,000
- Net Worth Required: $450,000
- Total Investment: $244,830 – $541,600
- Caffe Bene
Caffe Bene is one of the fastest growing coffee chains in the United States, which originally started in South Korea in 2008. They currently have over 1,600 units globally, with 31 existing locations in the US. They offer a diverse menu including coffee, tea, frappes, smoothies, fruit juice, ice flakes, pastries, bagels, and waffles.
Caffe Bene offers a cozy and comfortable coffee lounge for its customers, with its a homey interior of reclaimed wood to offer the best comfort an serenity.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $414,500 – $899,600
- Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000 – $35,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6.9%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 3%
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Cafe2U
Cafe2U is a mobile coffee business that sells high-quality coffee at offices, factories, parks, campuses, and almost anywhere else. Franchise owners sell coffee straight from their Cafe2U van, which is equipped with all the gear needed to make espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, and other premium drinks.
Cafe2U was launched in 2000 in Australia and is now making slow headway into the US. Franchisees are also allowed to offer fares like snacks if they choose to. Cafe2U has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to its franchises to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment and inventory.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $109,146 – $154,621
- Net-worth Requirement – $100,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $25,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $25,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – $175/wk.
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Biggby Coffee
Biggby Coffee takes a traditional approach to the American coffee house as it offers fares that give it the appearance of a cafe. Their mid-sized interiors resemble a modest office lounge and their menu includes a variety of coffee drinks, flavored lattes, cookies, parfaits, fruit cups, bagel sandwiches, and other baked goods.
Their founders have years of experience in the restaurant business and they have developed a support system that offers training, marketing, and more.
Bob Fish and Mary Roszel opened their first coffee shop under the name Beaner’s in East Lansing, Michigan. In 1999, they teamed with Michael McFall (originally hired as a barista for that first shop) to form Global Orange Development and begin franchising.
In 2007, the company’s name was changed to Biggby Coffee and all existing franchises were converted to the new brand. Biggby Coffee is expanding in the Midwest and Southeast. Biggby Coffee has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and payroll.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $186,850 – $369,100
- Net-worth Requirement – $400,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $70,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $20,000 – $20,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 3%
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Maui Wowi
Fresh fruit smoothies were a virtually unknown product in 1982, when Jeff and Jill Summerhays began selling them part-time at events. The company caught the eye of Michael Haith, founding partner of a food, beverage and special-event consulting firm. Haith revamped the franchise concept and expanded the product line, which now includes Hawaiian coffees and espresso.
Maui Wowi is a Hawaiian-themed coffee shop and cafe that serves fresh fruit smoothies, Hawaiian coffee and related espresso beverages and a variety of Hawaiian products. Their franchise units vary from full-scale restaurants to mall kiosks, food trucks and portable carts.
The company currently has 170 locations nationwide. The initial contract agreement term is for a period of 10 years and their renewal term is 5 years. Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies offers in-house financing to cover only equipment, but they have relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following:
franchise fee, startup costs, equipment and inventory.
Financial requirements
- Initial Investment – $76,400 – $569,000
- Net-worth Requirement – $150,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $50,000 – $150,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $42,500 – $65,000
- Veteran incentive – 10% off franchise fee (20% off in November & December)
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Scooter’s Coffee
Seeing the success of the specialty-coffee industry in California, Don and Linda Eckles returned to their Midwestern roots and opened their first drive-thru coffeehouse in 1998 in Bellevue, Nebraska. They began franchising Scooter’s Coffee in 2001.
Scooters Coffee offers a variety of items such as hot drinks, iced drinks, blenders, smoothies, teas, pastries, sandwiches, burritos, and more. Their keys to success are finding great locations and staying committed to high-quality drinks and speed of service with a smile.
If you want to start a Scooter’s Coffee franchise, you need an initial investment of between $103,000 to $468,500. Their contract agreement is for a length of 10 years and their ongoing royalty fee is 6%. Scooter’s Coffee has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and payroll.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $331,000 – $648,000
- Net-worth Requirement – $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $20,000 – $40,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
- Veteran Incentives – $20,000 credit toward first-year product
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The Human Bean
The Human Bean opened its first store in Ashland, Oregon, in 1998, and more locations were added throughout southern Oregon over the next five years. Franchising of the drive-thru espresso brand began in 2002.
The company’s Farm Friendly Direct program encourages environmentally sustainable growing, harvesting and processing methods, rewarding the farmers the company works with by offering above-market prices and using the extra money to fund improvement projects in their communities.
The Human Bean Drive Thru has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and payroll.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $211,625 – $738,375
- Net-worth Requirement – $250,000 – $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $150,000 – $250,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $30,000 – $30,000
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Huddle House
Huddle House is a Southern diner franchise known for their ‘round-the-clock breakfast, Southern hospitality and being the best place to gather in any hometown.
Their crowd-pleasing menu of favorites is available any time guests want and business thrives in small towns, suburbs and exurbs. The breakfast portion of the menu including coffee accounts for more than half of sales, which is awesome because breakfast items generally have higher profit margins than food typically ordered in other day-parts.
With incredible momentum from a 50-year history and more than 400 locations in 20 states, now is the time to invest in Huddle House franchise.
Financial Requirements
- Liquid capital required – $200,000
- Net worth required – $600,000
- Investment – $444,192 – $1,550,670
- Franchise fee – $35,000