Should You Open a Coffee Shop Franchise?

At FranchiseHelp, we see thousands of visitors each month from budding entrepreneurs who think that selling coffee to their fellow caffeine addicts could make for an exciting and lucrative venture. 

Naturally, many folks considering a coffee business find their way to FranchiseHelp, searching for information on massive franchise brands like Dunkin' Donuts; retail giants like Starbucks (sorry, it's not a franchise!); more modest franchises like Seattle's Best, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Scooter's Coffee, and Coffee Beanery; mobile coffee carts like Maui Wowi; or even alternative in-office coffee service franchises like Xpresso Delight.

There's no question the global coffee industry is absolutely enormous (an estimated $430 billion in 2019) and growing nicely at nearly 6% per year (with even greater growth potential in less crowded segments like commercial and office coffee).

But is there any opportunity left for an individual to get in on the game? And if so, how much would it cost to open a coffee business?

Oakscale, which works with high-growth emerging franchise brands, writes about the costs and economic potential of the coffee business for those looking to break into this industry. In particular, they discuss the potential investment required, factors many entrepreneurs don't think about upfront (supply chain, driving foot traffic if your store is not in an ideal location, and alternatives to a traditional coffee shop).