Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide – and the numbers don’t lie. Valued at $233.78 billion in 2023, the global coffee market is expected to see a compound annual growth rate of 5.4% from now until 2030. With steady industry growth percolating, you may be interested in purchasing a coffee shop for sale. But how do you find the right opportunity? Learn the variety of avenues that can lead to buying a promising coffee shop business.
7 Places to Find a Coffee Business for Sale
Finding a coffee shop for sale is no easy feat. However, there are a few places you can explore to help you get started:
- Online marketplaces: When searching for a coffee shop for sale, online marketplaces are invaluable. Platforms like BizBuySell, LoopNet, and Craigslist allow business owners to list their properties for sale. Narrow down your options by filtering the location, price range, and business type to help you find the right opportunity.
- Business brokers: Brokers connect potential buyers with established businesses looking to sell. Due to their in-depth knowledge of the local market, working with a broker can save you time. Additionally, they tend to have exclusive access to listings that aren’t publicly advertised.
- Networking: Networking allows you to link up with other business owners who may know of businesses that are considering selling. Building relationships within your community will provide you with insight you wouldn’t find via traditional listings.
- Social media groups: In addition to the larger online listings, owners looking to sell may also advertise on social media. Social media platforms host a variety of groups dedicated to buying and selling businesses. Engaging with these communities can provide valuable info.
- Local classified ads: Check local newspapers and community bulletin boards for any hidden gems being sold in your area. Smaller markets often have opportunities that might not be listed online, and local ads are the best way to find them. Plus, these ads often come from owners looking to sell directly, which could lead to a more straightforward negotiation process.
- Direct outreach: It seems bold, but there is the option of reaching out directly to coffee shop owners to see if they’d be interested in selling. You may be surprised to find that they’ve been considering selling but just hadn’t listed their business publicly yet.
- Franchise opportunities: Franchising is a great option for those looking to embrace entrepreneurship. Investing in a reputable franchise allows you to benefit from the brand’s reputation and established systems. Franchises provide extensive training, marketing assistance, and operational guidance, reducing the learning curve for new owners.
Evaluating Coffee Shop Opportunities
When researching different coffee businesses for sale, be sure to carefully review the following criteria:
- Location: The coffee shop you’re interested in buying should be in a busy area. Whether it’s a bustling shopping center, a lively downtown street, or near a college/university, the location needs to have high foot traffic and visibility.
- Property condition: Carefully examine the inside and outside of the property and take stock of any equipment. If there appear to be many areas of improvement, take the costs of those upgrades into consideration as you negotiate.
- Customer base: Analyzing the coffee shop’s sales figures will indicate if they have a strong customer base. But you may also want to consider shadowing the coffee shop for a day to see how employees interact with customers. You may notice which customers are regulars.
- Financial performance: Make sure the current owner shares all financial documents with you including profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets. Inquire about any potential debts or other liabilities that could affect the coffee shop’s revenue.
- Workplace culture: When you shadow the coffee shop, watch the way employees interact with each other. Also take time to speak with current employees about their experience working in the shop and with the team. Fostering a positive and supportive environment boosts employee morale – enhancing their customer service.
Franchise with Scooter’s Coffee
Didn’t find a coffee shop for sale that you liked? Why not start your own? With Scooter’s Coffee, you can join a growing industry with the backing of a leading franchise brand. We have over 800 locations nationwide and plenty of room for continued expansion.
Our amazing team of industry professionals will guide you through the entire opening process including site selection, lease negotiation, construction, and training, to ensure you’re well-equipped to run a lucrative coffee shop. Even after your business has launched, you’ll have a dedicated operations team member to provide continuous support.
Serving high-quality, high-margin specialty coffee drinks through a fast, efficient drive-thru is the key to our coffee franchise’s success. We offer two different drive-thru models (kiosk or endcap) designed to help meet your individual professional goals.
To learn more about our coffee franchise opportunity, request information today, and a member of our team will set up an introductory call.
