

Buttermilk Café is a fast-casual breakfast and lunch franchise known for its generous portions and vibrant atmosphere. Founded in 2014 in Geneva, Illinois, the brand has expanded to multiple locations across the Chicagoland area, including Naperville, Vernon Hills, and Downers Grove.
In 2023, Buttermilk Franchise Group, Inc. was established to manage the brand's franchising efforts, with headquarters located at 65 North River Lane, Suite 201, Geneva, Illinois 60134.
The café offers a diverse menu featuring classic breakfast items such as omelets, pancakes, and French toast, alongside signature dishes like their trademark biscuits.
Lunch options include sandwiches, burgers, and salads, all crafted with fresh ingredients. Buttermilk Café's commitment to quality and its energetic dining environment set it apart in the competitive breakfast and lunch market.
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.
Buttermilk Café provides a comprehensive set of training and support programs to franchisees. Here are the key training components outlined by the franchisor:
Buttermilk Café grants franchisees a “Protected Area,” typically a three-mile radius in suburban locations, where no other franchise unit will be opened if the franchisee remains in good standing.
However, this area does not apply in large urban centers and excludes previously existing locations.
The franchisor retains the right to operate in “Captive Markets” like airports, hospitals, and stadiums within the Protected Area. They may also sell through online or third-party channels, and the Protected Area may be reduced during renewals or transfers.
Below are some of
BUTTERMILK CAFÉ
key competitors in the
Coffee & Tea
sector.

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$40,000
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Boba Nation
$200K - $500K
1
$30,000
$350,000
$495,000
n.a.
$0
$xxx,xxx
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n.a.
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Chatime
$200K - $500K
16
$54,900
$293,000
$480,000
n.a.
$244,000
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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