The fact that coffee is a popular drink in the United States of America and the rest of the world makes starting a coffee truck business one of the best and thriving business ideas that an entrepreneur should consider.
If you are looking to start a coffee truck business, and you want to avoid competition, then one of your best options is to buy the franchise of a well-established coffee truck business. Please note that all the coffee businesses discussed in this article are also in a coffee truck or cart business.
In this article, we will look at the available coffee truck franchises that an entrepreneur or investor should consider if they are looking to buy a coffee truck franchise.
Best Coffee Truck Franchise Opportunities
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Scooter’s Coffee
Scooter’s Coffee started as a drive-through coffee shop in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue Nebraska. They named it after their daughter’s nickname which was scooter. They did not start offering franchise opportunities until three years later in 2001.
Currently, they have 177 franchises under them. In addition to various varieties of coffee, they also offer hot drinks, iced drinks, blenders, smoothies, teas, pastries, sandwiches, burritos, and more. They pride themselves on their high-quality coffee and top-notch customer service.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $351,000 – $587,000
- Net-worth Requirement: $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
- Initial Franchise Fee: $40,000 – $40,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee: 2%
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Cafe2U
Cafe2U was founded in 2000 in Australia but it is currently spreading to other parts of the world including the United States. They started franchising in 2004 and they currently have over 200 locations. This coffee business is mobile-based and caters to offices, factories, parks, campuses, and everywhere in between.
Cafe2U franchises operate from their vans which are equipped with all the tools that are needed for making top-notch espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, and other premium drinks. Cafe2U is still on the lookout for people who have a passion for coffee that can help it expand further.
Financial Requirements
- Total Initial Investment: $109,146 to $154,621
- Royalty Fees: $175/week
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Biggby Coffee
This coffee franchise was founded in 1995 by Bob Fish and Mary Roszel and it takes a traditional approach to the American coffee house. Initially, the shop was named Beaners Coffee.
However, they had to change it in 2007 when they realized that the “beaner” is a derogatory slang that is used to refer to Mexicans. Ranked one of the top franchises in the country in 2008 by Entrepreneur Magazine, Biggby Coffee cafes also serve tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner items such as bagels, muffins, scones, desserts, sandwiches, and more.
When a Biggby Coffee café opens, it rapidly becomes the favorite place to get a great beverage, hold a business meeting, or just hang out with friends.
Financial Requirements
- Liquid capital required: $70,000
- Investment: $181,850 – $358,100
- Franchise fee: $30,000
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Cabin Coffee Co.
Cabin Coffee Company prides itself on its Arabica gourmet coffee which it offers in addition to blended soft drinks, baked goods, soups, sandwiches, salads, and more.
They are dedicated to training, supporting, and serving each franchisee to ensure that you maximize every opportunity to provide quality service and products. Brad and Angie Barber opened the first store in Clear Lake, Iowa on December 6, 2002.
The Community of Clear Lake and the surrounding area embraced Cabin Coffee with open arms and catapulted Cabin Coffee for growth. Cabin Coffee co has 11 franchises in the United States.
Financial Requirements
- Start-Up: $50,000 To $60,000
- Franchise Fee: $50,000 To $60,000
- Total Investment: $415,000 To $900,000
- Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment: $100,000 To $150,000
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Dunn Brothers Coffee
Dunn Brothers Coffee was started by two brothers – Edward and Daniel Dunn. They perfected their knowledge of coffee roasting when they were living in Portland, Oregon however, it was when they relocated to the Twin Cities area that they opened their coffee shop sometime in the 1980s.
Dunn Bros Coffee custom-roasts each batch of their product every day at most of their locations across the country and employs an exacting criterion that gives them excellent brews. Dunn Bros doesn’t make coffee to be acceptable for the price; it makes it exceptional for the price.
Financial Requirements
- Initial investment: $406,300 to $608,500
- Net worth requirements: $500,000
- Liquid cash requirement: $125,000
- Initial franchise fee: $37,500
- Ongoing royalty: 5%
- Ad royalty fee: 3%
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PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans
PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans brand has come to be one of the major competitors of Starbucks and even has a somewhat similar menu. PJ’s Coffee was founded way back in 1978 by Phyllis Jordan (PJ) in New Orleans. When Phyllis Jordan first opened PJ’s Coffee & Tea in New Orleans, the outlet functioned strictly as a retail store that sold coffee, tea, and related equipment.
When the concept didn’t catch on, Jordan decided to change direction, abandoning the retail idea in favor of a café that would serve coffee, tea, soups, sandwiches, salads, and pastries. She was later able to expand the business because of her repertoire and started franchising in 1989 thus allowing her to expand throughout the whole country.
In 2002, the business was sold to an Atlanta-based Raving Brands, but subsequently returned to New Orleans in 2008 when it was purchased by New Orleans Brew. There are currently 84 PJ coffee locations today with four of them existing outside the United States.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $168,900 – $566,000
- Net-worth Requirement: $300,000 – $750,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $75,000 – $250,000
- Initial Franchise Fee: $10,000 – $30,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee: 3-6%
- Ad Royalty Fee: 2%
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Aroma Joe’s Coffee
Aroma Joe’s Coffee is another drive-through coffee chain that also engages in a mobile coffee truck or cart as a way of reaching out to its customers. Aroma Joe’s Coffee was founded by brothers Berwick, Maine, Marty and Tim McKenna, and their cousins Brian and Mike Sillon in 2000.
Their first location was a simple kiosk in a New Hampshire parking lot. It caters to a relatively young demographic with its hot and cold coffee drinks and its own branded Rush energy drink. They started offering franchising in 2013 and they currently have 59 locations all in the United States.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $255,000 – $664,000
- Net-worth Requirement: $100,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $50,000
- Initial Franchise Fee: $15,000 – $15,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee: 8%
- Ad Royalty Fee: 4.5%
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Gloria Jean’s Coffee
Gloria Jean’s Coffee was started by Gloria Jean in Kvetko Chicago, Illinois in the late 1970s. Initially, the coffee chain was only located in malls.
However, they have spread their wings to more independent locations. The menu features a wide array of both hot and cold gourmet coffee beverages. In addition to their beverage, Gloria Jean’s also sells a wide variety of ground coffee which their customers can subscribe to on a monthly or yearly basis.
In 2014, the chain was purchased by Australian company Retail Food Group, which began an aggressive push for international growth.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $173,150 – $473,000
- Net-worth Requirement: $200,000 – $350,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000 – $150,000
- Initial Franchise Fee: $15,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee: 2%
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DRNK coffee + tea
DRNK Coffee + tea was founded by Thomas Nariman in 2013. The coffee and tea chain offers in its menu a wide selection of both hot and cold organic coffees and teas, handcrafted organic espresso drinks, and juices, along with a variety of fresh-made breakfast items, paninis, wraps, and salads.
DRNK coffee + tea is a traditional quick-service beverage concept with a vibrant swagger offering a diverse selection of hot and cold organic coffees and teas from around the world along with freshly made breakfast items, paninis, wraps, and salads.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $253,150 – $693,100
- Net-worth Requirement: $500,000 – $1,000,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $150,000 – $400,000
- Initial Franchise Fee: $40,000 – $40,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee: 3%
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Ziggi’s Coffee
Ziggi’s Coffee started in 2004 in Longmont, Colorado. It is owned by Brandon and Camrin Knudsen. Ziggis coffee sources its ingredients locally whenever possible. In addition to the many variations of coffee, their menu also includes frozen “blenderz,” fruit smoothies, and a small selection of food items.
Their franchise location can either be in a double drive-thru, café with a drive-thru, mobile coffee truck or cart, or just a café. The company currently has 13 locations all of which are in the United States.
Financial Requirement
- Total investment requirement: $275,000 to $550,000.
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Xpresso Delight
Xpressor Delight was founded by Paul Crabtree and Stephen Sptiz in 2004 and has steadily grown to become quite popular. Xpresso Delight brings a unique perspective to the coffee business by bringing a café-quality coffee experience into workplaces with its range of fully automated gourmet espresso coffee systems.
Their equipment which is manufactured in Switzerland and Italy produces high-quality cappuccinos, lattes, and espresso drinks and they are quite easy to use.
Owners place premium espresso machines in local office buildings, then collect a semi-passive income as their fully automatic machines sell cup after cup of espresso, coffee americano, macchiato, cappuccino, lattes, hot chocolate, and more at the push of a button. They have over 200 franchisees scattered all over the world with only two of them being in the United States.
Financial Requirements
- Liquid Capital Required: $50,000
- Net Worth Required: $200,000
- Total Investment: $62,000 – $84,500
- Franchise Fee: $15,000
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Cuppy’s Coffee
Cuppy’s Coffee is a Texas coffee shop that was formed in 2006 by Dale Nabors. The menu includes specialty coffee drinks, real fruit smoothies, and a variety of breakfast, lunch, and snack foods. Cuppy’s Coffee franchise comes in various formats such as drive-thru, café, mall kiosk, and mobile coffee cart options.
Financial Requirements
- Liquid capital requirement: $100,000
- Net worth required: $50,000
- Total investment: $50,000 to $500,000
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Sunny Street Cafe
Sunny Street Cafe started a coffee shop, but they now offer a magnificent Breakfast and Lunch establishment opportunity with a master startup direction.
The Breakfast and Lunch idea is the perfect specialty in the eatery business and it has taken the North American customer and the Franchising business by tempest. Sunny Street Cafe, highlighting a sublime store outline, appealing business hours, and a broad menu, offers an energizing route to possess your own business.
On the off chance that you adore nourishment and appreciate working with individuals, then a vocation in the Breakfast and Lunch industry could be the ideal open door for you.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $484,000-$552,000
- Initial Franchise Fee: $35,000-$87,500
- Royalty Fee: 5.25%
- Advertising Fee: 0.25%
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Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea
Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea was started in 1993 by Wei and Lisa Bee in Ann Arbor, Michigan but only started franchising in 2004.
They started their coffee shop brand with the intention of recreating the classic café experience of coffee and tea drinks with diverse global influences. In addition to the classic coffee and tea, their menu also contains a wide selection of frozen drinks and other beverages, pastries, desserts, and light fare such as quiche, sandwiches, salads, and yogurt parfaits.
They also have their own coffee blend and bottled water which they sell too. Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea currently has 11 locations all of which are in the United States.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $260,076 – $393,174
- Net-worth Requirement: $500,000 – $600,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $120,000 – $125,000
- Initial Franchise Fee: $49,500 – $49,500
- Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee: 1%
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Rock ‘n’ Joe Coffee Bar
Rockn’ Joe Coffeehouse and Bistro was founded by Kevin Brennan, a businessman, and visionary entrepreneur who capitalized on his love for rock music to create the most popular place in Cranford. Rockn’ Joe had its beginnings in 1993 when Kevin saw how premium coffees and sandwich trends were gaining steam across the United States.
What he created was a unique café style coffeehouse with a cozy private lounge feel, decorated with rock memorabilia that offered the highest standards in bean selection and roasting techniques that set him ahead of the competition.
Financial Requirements
- Minimum cash requirement: $100,000
- Total investment: 218,000 to $414,000
- Net worth requirement: $250,000
- Franchise fee: $30,000.