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Investing in PJ’s Coffee: Why Entrepreneurs are choosing QSR Franchises

By: PJ's Coffee

Category:Coffee Franchise Insights

Quick service restaurants can be defined as restaurants where seating and table service are limited, but counter service is fast. Some of the most successful businesses in the world come from this industry. Entrepreneurs, seasoned and novices alike, find that franchising with a quick service restaurant is a reliable path to building a lasting business. And while weeding through the competition, the quick service restaurant industry has proven unmatched success, incomparable to other industries.

PJ’s Coffee franchise has been leading the way as a specialty coffee franchise and quick service restaurant since 1978, with each year earning our specialty coffee brand and franchise partners more success.

While Consumers Save in the Retail Industry, They Spend in the QSR Industry

Many businesses struggled to pull through the pandemic completely intact, especially within the retail industry. Retail brands have had to drastically reframe their business model and structure as a whole to keep afloat and to compete for every dollar a customer spends. Consumers aren’t as comfortable visiting brick and mortar locations to shop as they once were either, which spells “trouble” for the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Retail businesses typically expect to make a significant portion of their yearly profit over the next few months; however, the upcoming season’s forecast isn’t as promising. The New York Times reports that 60% of consumers will prioritize saving money this year when they shop for presents, which means retail business owners’ profits could potentially suffer.

The quick service industry, on the other hand, has seen impressive growth since the beginning of the pandemic. In fact, Vantage Market Research estimates that the quick service global market value will hit $625.17 billion by 2028, with no signs of slowing.

PJ’s Coffee Franchises Adapt to Change

According to a recent study by Statista, the quick service restaurant industry was valued at $304.8 billion, a significant jump from $272 billion in 2020. Technology has played a critical role in determining a brand’s success since the start of COVID, and it’s made a massive difference in bringing many quick service restaurant brands up to speed with other industries.

While many restaurants had to quickly pivot to accommodate the needs of a new world affected by the pandemic, PJ’s Coffee franchise has always been exceptional. We’ve been leagues ahead of the rest of the industry thanks to our early adoption of technology. Our mobile app has been fully built out since well before the pandemic was ever on the horizon, which made all the difference to our franchise partners when quick service brands needed to reduce contact with guests to keep their doors open.

Innovation is the name of the game for the quick service restaurant industry, and it’s never been more accurate than in the last couple of years when brands have had to reconsider how customers pick up their orders. PJ’s Coffee franchise is unquestionably winning. In addition to our technological advancements, we’ve fully developed a storefront with a drive-thru and a drive-thru only location. These drive-thru only locations are low cost with a small footprint and are wildly popular due to their convenience.

Coffee Shop Franchise Customers Are Loyal

Drinking coffee is only getting more popular, with coffee consumption up 21% for Generation Z consumers. Furthermore, coffee brand customers are exceptionally loyal, above customers at any other quick service restaurant. As PJ’s Coffee franchise owner, Aubry Miller, explains it, “PJ’s Coffee was a smart investment for me because I knew that coffee is a commodity that people will buy on a daily basis.”

These days, customers want specialty coffee products that are well made and deliver on flavor the way only our franchisees can—it’s one of many reasons we earned our place on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 List for several consecutive years.

Southern Hospitality You Can Only Find at PJ’s Coffee

One of the hallmarks of PJ’s Coffee franchises is our commitment to delivering a warm, welcoming environment to all our guests—and we treat our franchise partners the same way. Our franchise support is unparalleled in the quick service industry.

Not only do we assist with training and education on everything from company culture to operational standards to yourself and your staff, but we also guide franchisees throughout real estate selection, construction and design. Once it’s ready to open, we advise our franchise partners through marketing and promotions. This way, every step of the way, we work together the way a family-owned business should.

Want to learn more about investing in an emerging quick service restaurant? Contact PJ’s Coffee franchise today to find out the first steps to franchising with us!
  • $1,042,644*

    Average Unit
    Volume (AUV)

  • 19.8%

    4-year Same-Store

    Sales Increase

Invest in the Best
  • Direct Trade
  • Fair Trade
  • Rainforest Alliance
  • Kosher
  • Halal
  • USDA Organic
  • Top Food Franchises
  • Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Franked 2022
  • FBR top franchises 2022
Invest in the Best
  • Top Brand For Multi-Unit Owners 2024 Entrepreneur
  • FranServe 2024 Fran-Tastic Brand
  • Entrepreneur 2024 Franchise 500 Ranked
  • Entrepreneur Franchise 500 2023 Top Franchise for Veterans
  • Franchise Times Top 400
  • Entrepreneur 2023 Franchise 500 Top Brand for Multi-Unit Owners
  • Franchise Business Review 2023 Top Franchise Satisfaction Award
  • Entrepreneur 2023 Franchise 500
  • Entrepreneur 2022 Top Franchises for Veterans
  • Franchise 500 Top Food Franchise 2022
  • FBR top franchises 2022
  • Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Franked 2022
  • Franchise Business Review
  • Top Food Franchises
  • Fast Casual
  • Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Ranked 2021
  • Vet Fran
  • SBAReady
  • International Franchise Association
  • 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
View All Posts
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