Aroma Joe’s is a vibrant coffee franchise that began its journey in 2000, founded by four cousins, Marty and Tim McKenna and Mike and Brian Sillon, in East Rochester, New Hampshire. The brand quickly established itself as a beloved community hub, known for its handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, unique flavor infusions, signature AJ’s RUSH® energy drinks, and all-day food offerings served in a friendly and upbeat environment.
With a strong emphasis on customer service and community engagement, Aroma Joe’s sets itself apart by providing a positive impact on both its customers and the communities it serves.
Headquartered in Scarborough, Maine, Aroma Joe’s started franchising in 2012, leveraging the experience of Loren Goodridge, a respected Subway franchisee and Development Agent.
Aroma Joe’s prides itself on its ethically sourced, sustainably harvested coffee blends that are Rainforest Alliance Certified, ensuring not only exceptional flavor but also a commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Aroma Joe's franchise offers comprehensive training designed to equip franchisees with the knowledge and skills necessary for running a successful coffee shop. This training encompasses both pre-opening and ongoing support, ensuring that franchisees are well-prepared to meet the high standards and operational demands of the business.
Pre-Opening Training: Aroma Joe's provides an extensive training program that includes 31 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of in-store training. This training covers essential aspects of the business, such as coffee brewing techniques, customer service, business operations, and marketing strategies. Franchisees also receive assistance with market location research and store design to ensure optimal setup and efficiency.
Ongoing Support: After the initial launch, Aroma Joe's continues to support its franchisees with general operational guidance, purchasing assistance, inventory management, and supply chain logistics.
The franchise also offers ongoing training through the "Fueling Up Success" (FUS) program, which provides business and entrepreneurship courses for dedicated employees aspiring to own their own Aroma Joe's location in the future.
Aroma Joe’s franchise does not offer exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. This means that franchisees may face competition from other Aroma Joe’s locations authorized by the parent company or from competing brands controlled by the company.
This lack of fixed territorial rights can lead to increased competition within the same market area, which franchisees must be prepared to manage.
Despite the absence of territory protection, Aroma Joe’s supports its franchisees through comprehensive training and ongoing operational guidance. The franchise emphasizes community engagement and high-quality customer service to help franchisees build a loyal customer base, even in competitive environments.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
Below are some of
Aroma Joe's
key competitors in the
Coffee & Tea
sector.
95
$25,000
$501,000
$959,000
n.a.
$878,000
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Fuelify is a specialty beverage franchise offering energy teas, milk teas, smoothies, spritzers, coffee and freeze-dried candy, serving boba lovers and on-the-go guests, and known for vibrant flavors, customizable drink combinations and a fun, social “boba hangout” atmosphere.
?
?
Mercato Cucina is a foodservice franchise concept offering Italian-inspired fast-casual meals and marketplace items, serving local residents seeking refined yet convenient cuisine, and known for chef-crafted menus, fresh pastas and sauces, and an Italian deli–style experience with gourmet take-home products.
?
?
Boba Nation is a beverage franchise offering bubble tea, smoothies, and specialty drinks, serving younger consumers and families who enjoy customizable beverages, and known for extensive flavor combinations, vibrant store branding, and scalable formats designed to capture growing boba demand.
?
?
Parlay Cafe is a hybrid café and coworking franchise offering specialty coffee, light bites, and flexible workspace, serving remote professionals, entrepreneurs, and small teams, and known for memberships, meeting rooms, and thoughtfully designed spaces combining café comfort with business amenities.
?
?
Puffles is a dessert-and-beverage franchise offering Hong-Kong-style egg waffles, customizable ice cream treats and bubble tea, serving dessert lovers and social café customers, and known for trendy format, fun social-media appeal and low investment.
?
?
Tea Lounge is a café franchise offering specialty teas, bubble tea, and light café fare in stylish modern settings, serving younger consumers and café-seekers, and known for trendy ambiance, customizable drinks and franchise-ready formula.
?
?
Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.
Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.
Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.
A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.
.png)
