Coffee Beanery is a specialty coffee franchise founded in 1976 in Dearborn, Michigan — before the American public knew the term “specialty coffee.” The brand has grown to 70+ domestic locations and international operations, franchising since 1985. Coffee Beanery roasts its own beans at its facility in Flushing, Michigan, controlling quality from roast to cup. Franchise formats include storefront cafés, drive-thrus, and kiosks.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $150,000 (Liquid Capital refers to readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets that can be accessed without borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income.)
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator (passive management considered under certain conditions)
- Location Type: Storefront café, drive-thru, or kiosk (600–1,500 sq ft)
- Time Commitment: Full-time
- Experience Required: None; customer service orientation and marketing execution valued
Top 5 Reasons to Invest
- Pioneered specialty coffee in 1976
- Own roasting facility controls quality
- 40 years franchising experience since 1985
- SBA approved with third-party financing
- VetFran 25% discount on franchise fee
About Coffee Beanery Franchise
Coffee Beanery was founded by JoAnne Shaw and her husband Julius in 1976, opening their first specialty coffee shop in Dearborn, Michigan. The company began franchising in 1985 and has grown to 70+ domestic locations with international master franchisors in multiple countries. Now a third-generation family business, Coffee Beanery is recognized as an industry leader for its commitment to quality and family-oriented corporate culture.
The brand operates its own roasting facility in Flushing, Michigan, where it roasts, flavors, packages, and ships coffee — maintaining quality control throughout the entire process. Coffee Beanery offers 60 varieties of coffee plus a café menu including hot and cold sandwiches, soups, smoothies, salads, and wraps. Franchise formats range from kiosks to full storefront cafés and drive-thrus, providing flexibility based on market and investment level.
Why Franchise With Coffee Beanery?
- Own roasting facility ensures consistent quality — Coffee Beanery controls the process from bean selection through packaging.
- 40 years of franchising experience since 1985 provides proven systems, training, and operational support.
- Simple operations with no cooking or grills — easy to execute beverage-focused business with café menu support.
- Daily repeat customers drive consistent traffic — coffee is a habitual purchase that builds loyal customer bases.
- Multiple format options (kiosk, café, drive-thru) allow investment flexibility based on market opportunity and capital.
ABF Exclusive Insights
Market Analysis: Specialty coffee has transformed from niche to mainstream — 77% of Americans now drink specialty coffee. The daily habit creates recession-resistant demand with high repeat purchase frequency. Coffee shops serve as community gathering spaces, work-from-anywhere hubs, and morning routine anchors. The category continues growing as consumers trade up from home brewing and fast-food coffee to premium experiences.
Competitive Advantage: Coffee Beanery owns its roasting facility — a rarity among coffee franchises. This vertical integration ensures quality control and supply consistency that franchisees relying on third-party roasters cannot match. The 1976 founding date predates Starbucks’ national expansion, giving Coffee Beanery authentic pioneer credibility. The third-generation family ownership creates a culture that values franchisee relationships over rapid unit churn.
ABF Timing Insight: Coffee Beanery offers a wide investment range ($101K–$545K) accommodating different market strategies from kiosks to full cafés with drive-thrus. SBA approval and third-party financing options reduce cash barriers. The 25% VetFran discount on franchise fees makes this particularly attractive for veterans. For investors seeking a proven specialty coffee brand with quality differentiation and family-business values, Coffee Beanery offers 40 years of franchise track record with territory availability.
Training & Support
- 3–4 weeks of training at corporate headquarters in Flushing, Michigan covers operations, customer service, and business management.
- Site selection assistance helps identify optimal locations based on format, market demographics, and traffic patterns.
- On-site opening support ensures smooth launch with hands-on guidance during initial operations.
- Ongoing operational guidance and marketing assistance from experienced support team throughout franchise relationship.
- National convention workshops and continuing education provide ongoing development and peer networking.
Franchise Owners That Thrive
- Gregarious personalities who enjoy customer interaction daily
- Team players who build and lead part-time staff effectively
- Marketing-minded operators who execute local promotions consistently
- Community builders who create welcoming gathering spaces
- Positive, enthusiastic individuals committed to exceptional service
Franchise Fit & Capital Readiness
Who Is NOT A Good Fit for This Franchise
- Seeking fully absentee ownership — passive management considered only under certain conditions
- Uncomfortable with retail hours and daily customer engagement
- Unwilling to execute marketing consistently at the local level
- Less than $150,000 in liquid capital available
Candidates who do not meet the financial criteria below are typically not approved by the franchisor.
Investment Readiness Check
- Ownership timeline: Varies by format and site selection — kiosks faster than full buildouts
- Minimum Net Worth: $500,000 verified during qualification
- Minimum Liquid Capital: $150,000 — required for consideration
- Territory availability and financing readiness confirmed before approval
All financial thresholds are set by the franchisor and are non-negotiable during approval.
Franchisor Authority Disclosure
America’s Best Franchises provides guidance and introductions. Final approval criteria, financial thresholds, and territory decisions are determined exclusively by the franchisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need coffee industry experience?
A. No. Coffee Beanery provides comprehensive training covering operations, products, and customer service. Enthusiasm and commitment matter more than prior experience.
Q. What formats are available?
A. Storefront cafés, drive-thrus, kiosks, and locations in malls, airports, hospitals, and office buildings. Investment varies by format.
Q. Is financing available?
A. Coffee Beanery is SBA approved with third-party financing assistance. Veterans receive a 25% discount on the initial franchise fee through VetFran.
Q. Where is Coffee Beanery not available?
A. Currently not registered in Illinois, Rhode Island, Maryland, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington.
Next Steps
By submitting this form, you confirm that you meet the liquid capital requirement of $150,000 established by the franchisor.
Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Coffee Beanery.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.