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4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Opening a Coffee Shop Franchise

By: PJ's Coffee

Category:Coffee Franchise Insights

Deciding to open a coffee shop franchise can be a fun and exciting new venture. It's no secret that coffee is a hot commodity, making it an attractive opportunity for investors and aspiring entrepreneurs. With more than 62% of Americans consuming coffee every day and its demand continuing to grow, there's never been a better time to open a coffee shop.

With a coffee franchise like PJ's Coffee, hopeful business owners have the opportunity to break into the booming coffee sector without having to worry about building their business from the ground up. That said, there are some key factors to consider before opening a coffee shop franchise:

1. Are you Passionate About the Brand and the Product?

The first question is a given. Outside of the presented business opportunity or financial gain, it's essential to consider whether or not you're passionate about the brand and product you're investing in. With several franchise and business opportunities available, it's imperative you join one that you could truly see yourself enjoying every day.

At PJ's Coffee, our motivated franchisees are not only proud, but excited to be a part of our brand and the gourmet, specialty coffee products we sell. We don't just serve coffee at PJ's; we deliver authentic experiences that people can gather around. Our guests aren't just customers, but neighbors with whom we are committed to building lasting relationships. Our franchisees' passion for the brand allows PJ's to stay true to the spirit of New Orleans and be inspired to do better each day.

2. What Are Your Objectives?

Understanding your objectives with franchise ownership is the next step in the process. Prior to signing a franchise agreement, you should explore your options for both single and multi-unit ownership. There are several factors to consider when it comes to both.

While it's not required, previous franchise experience might prompt you to open multiple units if you feel comfortable operating more than one location. On the contrary, first-time franchisees might consider opening a single unit to begin and get their feet wet. Another factor worth considering is your timeline. If your goal is to open a certain amount of units within a specific timeframe, it’s important to remember that nothing happens overnight. Regardless if you’re a first-time franchisee exploring a new business venture or if you’re an experienced franchise owner with a desire to grow your portfolio with PJ's Coffee, the opportunities are endless and you’ll be supported along the way.

3. What Is the Competitive Landscape?

Franchising is a long-term commitment, and it takes ample time, energy, effort and resources to get started. In order to ensure you can grow, it’s vital to consider who your competitors are, how you can differentiate yourself and how you can attract customers in your area.

At PJ's Coffee, we pride ourselves on standing out among our competitors. As a community-driven franchise, we champion charity and community involvement and help inspire our communities to achieve their goals. As a franchise built on sustainability, we're proud to lead the industry in sourcing only the top 1% of specialty Arabica beans from farm to cup. We work directly with farms in Honduras and Nicaragua to cut out the middleman and give our coffee farmers and their families extra margin. Not to mention, our franchisee support is second-to-none, which brings us to our last question to consider.

4. Do You Feel Supported By the Franchisor?

Once you've considered the earlier points, the final thing to consider is if you feel supported by the franchisor. Regardless if you come in with previous franchise or coffee industry experience, you should invest in a brand that’s equally as willing to invest in you.

When it comes to support, our coffee franchise is best in class. Our franchise development team is known for being as reliable as the coffee we serve, and we do all we can to ensure your journey to ownership is a joyous one. We have you covered through every step of the franchise process, from site evaluation and lease procurement to marketing and promotions. Not to mention, we offer year-round operational consulting as needed, so our franchisees have everything they need to confidently run their own business.

We have over 40 years of experience in the coffee space and hundreds of industry professionals guiding franchisees through every step of their coffee shop's development. Learn more about our coffee shop franchise opportunity by downloading the PJ's Coffee franchise brochure today.

  • $1,042,644*

    Average Unit
    Volume (AUV)

  • 19.8%

    4-year Same-Store

    Sales Increase

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  • Entrepreneur 2022 Top Franchises for Veterans
  • Franchise 500 Top Food Franchise 2022
  • FBR top franchises 2022
  • Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Franked 2022
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  • National Restaurant Association
Learn More About Our Available Markets

Want to bring the PJ’s community to your community?
We have opportunities around the country.

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Investment Tiers
  • Traditional Model

    A larger scaled PJ's with a full service menu offering located within a strip mall or free-standing building likely featuring a drive-thru.

    • Size: 650sqft - 2,000sqft
    • Initial Franchise Fee: $35K
    • Initial Investment: $459,000- $1,152,000
  • Non-Traditional Model

    A smaller scaled PJ's possibly with a limited menu offering located within another business - College/University Campuses, Healthcare Facilities, Hotels, Government Facilities, Military Bases, Airports, Shopping Malls, Etc.

    • Size: 250sqft - 1,000sqft
    • Initial Franchise Fee: $25K
    • Initial Investment: $228,000 - $511,000
  • Multi-Unit Option Agreements

    PJ's offers opportunities to enter into a Multi-Unit Option Agreement to develop multiple PJ's over a specified development schedule in a designated market. The initial franchise fee for the first PJ’s location is $35,000. Subsequent PJ’s Units receive a reduced franchise fee. The fee for each PJ’s Unit numbered two or greater is $10,000.

  • Master Franchise Agreements

    PJ's offers opportunities to International Franchisees to enter into a Master Franchise Agreement to develop multiple PJ's over a specified development schedule in a designated country or countries.

    • Initial Master Franchise Fee: $250k minimum (Varies depending on size of country or countries)
    • Total Investment: Varies depending on the number of PJ's developed
A Few More...
  • PJs has provided me with the flexibility to prioritize my day-to-day responsibilities. While demanding, the work/life balance I have been able to obtain while owning my locations is invaluable. PJ’s is a family-oriented brand and that is evident every day - we have great working, as well as personal, relationships with many folks at corporate. It truly is a family centered culture that I am excited to grow with! - Andrew Jones
  • We loved the products and the business model, and it all worked out so well. The ability to work with them is what sets them apart. They are very reasonable people and it’s a solid company. When we went to meet the team, everyone was super kind, and it was very apparent that they provide a ton of support to their franchisees. It’s important to feel like you can always reach out to somebody when needed. - Angela Harmon
  • I think if someone is looking for a franchise opportunity they should find something that fits their lifestyle. If you're a morning person, a coffee business might be good for you. I'm a morning person so waking up at 4 A.M. is fine, the whole 'wake up and smell the coffee' thing - that's me. - Anthony Satterlee
  • I decided to look into coffee and probably spent about 3 years doing the investigation. I decided on PJ's because the quality of the product is just head and shoulders above everybody else. - Tom Lewis
  • It's easy to be successful. You can become part of your community in a way you can't otherwise in a lot of other businesses. I would highly recommend it. - Polly Fisher
  • The best part of being a franchisee is the freedom. It gives you the opportunity to provide for your family, but also be a part of your family. It gives you time to play with your children or take a vacation, but still have a fantastic business. - Kelly Songy
  • I decided owning a PJ's Coffee shop was the way to go. From start to finish, corporate was there for me when I selected a location, ordered equipment and furniture. - Mateusz Dabrowski
  • I fell in love with PJs Coffee and the brand, years before I ever owned a location and now I own two! I wanted a business that, with the right staff, would be able to operate successfully without me having to be there all day every day. PJs coffee gives you that flexibility and freedom. I also love the family atmosphere that corporate provides and the camaraderie between franchisees is wonderful! You are in business for yourself, but not by yourself, and that is a great sense of comfort and security. I love this business!

    - Roxanne DeNicola
Featured Blogs
  • PJ’s Coffee Set to Expand in Atlanta: Why This Market Is a Game-Changer View Blog
  • Boosting Returns and Elevating Metrics: How Franchisees Can Take Advantage of PJ’s Support Systems View Blog
  • PJ’s Coffee Franchise FAQ: What You Need to Know View Blog
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