Coffee Shop Owner Salary: Scooter’s Coffee vs. The Competition (UPDATE 2024)

More than just a thriving business, coffee shops act as community hubs where people can come together, enjoy a cup of coffee, socialize, or even get some work done. As one of the world’s most popular beverages, coffee is a hot commodity! The global market reached a value of $461.25 billion in 2022 and projections show it’ll see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030.

With continued expansion on the horizon, now is a great time to consider owning a coffee shop or partnering with a reputable coffee franchise. However, you may be wondering, “What is the average coffee shop owner salary?” Learn more about different franchise opportunities available and how to spot strong potential.

Salary Potential as a Coffee Shop Owner

In short, entrepreneurs start businesses for the same reason people get jobs – they want to make money. However, it’s important to understand that no franchisor can make any type of earnings claim. Therefore, they cannot guarantee how much money you’ll make or what your owner salary will be. There are a number of factors that contribute to your bottom line, such as:

• Location: The profitability of your coffee shop can vary depending on where it’s located and the demand in that area.
• Operational efficiency: Effective management of day-to-day operations, including staffing and customer service, can impact overall earnings.
• Branding: Strong brand recognition and effective marketing can drive foot traffic and sales.
• Initial and ongoing costs: The initial investment and ongoing expenses, including rent, equipment, and inventory, can directly impact your take home salary.

Comparing Across Brands

One way to help you understand the earning potential of a franchise opportunity is to look at the initial investment costs and financial performance representations. Both of these can be found in the brand’s franchise disclosure document (FDD). Below is a breakdown of some of the top coffee brands:

• Starbucks: With more than 38,000 stores globally, Starbucks is one of the largest coffee brands in the world. When people consider a coffee franchise, they think Starbucks. Unfortunately, the brand does not grant franchises — so there is no opportunity for entrepreneurs to invest.
• Dunkin’: Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ is the largest coffee brand in the U.S. with over 13,200 locations across the country and internationally. To start a freestanding location, investment costs range from $526,900 to $1,832,500, including an initial franchise fee ranging between $40,000 and $90,000. In 2023, freestanding, drive-thru locations reported an average sales figure of $1,546,413.
• Aroma Joe’s: Founded in 2000 and franchising since 2012, Aroma Joe’s has grown to over 100 locations. Initial investment costs range between $586,599 and $1,859,492, including a $25,000 franchise fee. In 2023, the brand saw an average sales figure of $965,410.
• Scooter’s Coffee®: Founded in 1998, Scooter’s Coffee has grown to over 800 locations nationwide. The coffee franchise costs range from $894,500 to $1,393,000, including a $40,000 franchise fee. The top quartile of drive-thru kiosk locations saw an average unit volume (AUV) of $1,268,540*, while overall system AUV was $879,725.

Why Franchise with Scooter’s Coffee

Scooter’s Coffee represents a compelling “sweet spot” in the coffee franchise industry. Our investment costs position our brand in the middle of the spectrum compared to other big names in the coffee industry. Despite having fewer locations than Dunkin’, Scooter’s Coffee is a bigger system than Aroma Joe’s – meaning we have a robust presence without the risk of oversaturation. Plus, our strong financial performance makes our brand an attractive opportunity for those interested in owning a coffee shop franchise.

To learn more about the Scooter’s Coffee franchise opportunity, request information today.

*This is historical representation of what some of our franchised stores earned as described further in Item 19 of the FDD. This information is based upon 272 of 618 Drive-Thru Kiosks that were open during the entire 2023 calendar year and provided complete information. Your results may differ. There is no guarantee you will stay in business that long or that you will achieve the stated levels of same-store sales growth within that time period. See Item 19 of the FDD for more information.