Cafe Ala Carte vs The Coffee Beanery Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cafe Ala Carte vs The Coffee Beanery including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
The Coffee Beanery Franchise
Investment $56,200 - $123,300$112,500 - $496,100
Franchise Fee $25,000$15,000
Royalty Fee 8-5%4%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19961976
Year Franchised 20001985
Term Of Agreement 10 years10-20 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10-20 years
Renewal Fee The then-current franchise fee25% of initial fee


Business Experience Requirements
 
Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
The Coffee Beanery Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience
  • Retail experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
    The Coffee Beanery Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
    The Coffee Beanery Franchise
    Training --
    Support Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, InternetNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Ad slicksCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 14 - 17

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
    The Coffee Beanery Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Cafe Ala Carte

    Since 1996, Cafe Ala Carte provides a unique service to the food and beverage industry by capitalizing on the popularity of specialty coffees. By creating a niche in this market, people are experiencing a new and exciting idea for their events. Most franchises are simply duplicated or reinvented ideas. But Cafe Ala Carte is among the first of its kind. Our system has proven successful, and allows us to capitalize on one of the world's fastest growing trends.

    About The Coffee Beanery

    With help from her husband, Julius, JoAnne Shaw decided to take a chance. In 1976 she opened The Coffee Beanery, a specialty coffee shop, in Dearborn, Michigan. The company began franchising in 1985. The Coffee Beanery offers streetfront café franchises, as well as locations in malls, airports, office buildings, hospitals and college campuses across the United States. In 1998 the company opened its first international location in Guam and now offers master franchises in China, Korea and the Middle East.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Traditional Store without Food Store Model ranges from $260,000 to $476,100, which includes $25,000 to $31,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Traditional Store with Food Store Model ranges from $260,000 to $496,100, which includes $25,000 to $31,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Kiosk Store Model ranges from $185,000 to $369,100, which includes $25,000 to $31,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Co-Branded Store Model ranges from $140,000 to $339,100, which includes $25,000 to $31,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Conversion Store Model ranges from $112,500 to $351,600, which includes $17,500 and $24,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.