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Is a Coffee Shop Franchise Easy to Operate?

By: PJ's Coffee
Category:Coffee Franchise Insights

Ease of operations is an attribute that all prospective franchise owners seek in a business opportunity, whether you’re a first-time owner or a multi-unit operator.

At PJ’s Coffee, we offer a business model, support systems, technology and equipment that reduces operational complexities. As part of the expanding $48 billion coffee industry, franchisees are able to fill the consistently high demand for a community-focused coffee shop that serves specialty coffee and food items of unparalleled quality – and not have to worry about many of the complications of building a business from the ground up without the support of a franchisor and fellow franchisees who have already followed a similar path to entrepreneurship.

We’ve streamlined operations so those who choose to become part of our coffee franchise family can focus on building a successful business instead of struggling with unnecessary complexity.

Training and Support for Coffee Shop Franchise Owners

In order for our new franchisees to see success, we understand that our top priority is to provide them support and knowledge as they begin their PJ’s Coffee journey.

Franchisees receive guidance from operational field trainers from before their store opens and throughout their experience operating their PJ’s Coffee franchise.

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As soon as a franchisee signs their franchise agreement, we begin the process of helping them with site selection and lease negotiations. We provide guidance on interior design, while also helping plan and delegate the tasks of a grand opening. We have a set system for every grand opening and handle the digital and in-store marketing strategy and community networking, so the franchisee can focus on things like financial planning and logistics.

Once our franchisees have successfully held their grand opening event, we still continue to provide support. Franchisees receive help in the hiring and training process, making sure their employees are qualified and live the values we hold at PJ’s Coffee.

Franchisees, store managers and baristas get access to consistent and constant training. PJ’s Coffee baristas are the front line of customer relations. Standard training programs are crucial to ensure customers get the same drink and the same experience across locations. Video training is available, and baristas are eligible for additional training through the Bean Program, which is made up of three levels - bronze, silver and gold bean status. Each one indicates the training level of a barista. These levels create incentives for team members to improve and move up within the organization.

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Most importantly, this program helps standardize and improve employee performance, which allows franchisees to focus on growing their business.

Brewing up Success with the Right Technology and Equipment

At PJ’s Coffee, we continue to invest in restaurant technology for our franchisees. Over the past two years, we’ve upgraded and standardized our point-of-sale (POS) system, which prevents franchisees from having to find and select a merchant services vendor on their own. Each location sees a standard POS cost, maintains PCI compliance, and eliminates varying credit card processing fees.

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The system also standardizes scheduling, inventory and training. Keeping these processes uniform simplifies operations and encourages success for franchisees by allowing them to focus on getting their coffee shop up and running in their community.

The equipment franchisees use must operate with extreme precision. This is one of the most important factors when selecting our vendor partners. For example, our grinders have to grind our coffee perfectly for each kind of beverage we make. Cold brew or hot drip coffee can taste off if the grind is not exact. Flavors are also impacted by temperature. Our equipment has to maintain the temperature at the exact right degree, too, or else the product may be too watery, too cold or off in some other way.

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Another example is our espresso machines. We chose to source this piece of equipment from a company that developed products that are easy for PJ’s Coffee team members to adjust if they found coffee beverages were off. Our espresso machines can even be manipulated remotely. We can tell without being in the store if the water is the correct temperature, if the coffee beans are being ground properly and if grounds are being pressed with the right pressure. If any of these things are off, we can fix the problem remotely.

A clean machine can make a difference, too. If it’s not clean, it will not operate with the precision we require of it. Our espresso machines come with built-in monitors that will play a video on how to properly clean them.

Jumping for Java

At the end of the day, opening up a coffee shop franchise should be an exciting time. When deciding to invest in a food service franchise, there are many different options. However, compared to opening a full-sized restaurant franchise, a gourmet coffee shop is the ideal model for those looking for a franchise built around simple operations.

A coffee shop franchise typically requires a smaller real estate footprint, less equipment and overall simple operational needs, making it easy for franchisees to get their bearings quickly and put them on a smooth road to success and community impact.

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Whether it’s the first step to waking up or an afternoon energy boost, coffee is an essential part of people’s day. According to the National Coffee Association, consumers have reported that they drink an average of three cups a day, 51 percent of those cups are gourmet coffee. PJ’s Coffee franchisees have the ability to provide their community with exceptional, gourmet coffee and a new favorite coffee shop.

Are you ready to invest in a supportive, streamlined coffee shop franchise? To learn more about franchising opportunities with PJ’s Coffee, download our franchise brochure today.
  • $1,034,105*

    Average Unit
    Volume (AUV)

  • 14.3%

    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
  • 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: $406,000- $1,131,000
  • 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: $192,000 - $534,500
  • 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
  • Celebrating Women’s History Month at PJ’s Coffee with Tori Bermond Read More
  • Franchisee Spotlight: How They Got Started Read More
  • Brewing Success: Opening A Coffee Franchise in a Small Town Read More
View All Posts
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