Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf franchise fee is $12,500 to $25,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $940,665 to $1,430,177, with about $215,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf FDD.
What are the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf franchise fees and investment?
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf franchise requires a franchise fee of $12,500 to $25,000 and a total initial investment of $940,665 to $1,430,177. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $12,500 to $25,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $940,665 to $1,430,177 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $215,000 |
| US locations | 131 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Coffee, Tea, & Drinks) |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Franchising since | 2001 |
How does the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's minimum investment of $940,665 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 143 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $12,500 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf FDD?
Verify six parts of the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Angry Chickz | $50,000 | $940,493 to $1,192,280 |
| Fat Boy's Pizza | $32,500 | $940,000 to $2,257,600 |
| Modern Market Eatery | $40,000 | $928,500 to $1,468,750 |
| Chao Cajun | $30,000 | $953,000 to $1,556,500 |
| Scooter's Coffee | $40,000 | $954,650 to $1,523,400 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf franchise ranges from $940,665 to $1,430,177, including a franchise fee of $12,500 to $25,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf franchise?
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf lists a minimum of about $215,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf locations are there?
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf reported 131 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf been franchising?
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf started offering franchises in 2001 after the company was founded in 1963.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.