Create a free account to access this table
Sign up for free
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
2,500+ franchises
Access our entire database: 2,500+ US franchises, updated every day
Essential financial data
Royalty fees, franchise fees, investment costs and more
View 1 FDD
Our free plan allows you to access 1 FDD. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to download

Cabin Coffee Co. Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Cabin Coffee Co. serves a variety of specialty coffees and baked goods, providing a cozy and welcoming atmosphere for coffee lovers.

Cabin Coffee Co. was established in December 2002 by Brad and Angie Barber in Clear Lake, Iowa. The company’s headquarters remain at Clear Lake, IA. Seeing an opportunity to expand, the brand launched its franchise program in 2007, opening its first franchised shop in St. Charles, Minnesota, that November.

Known for its commitment to fresh coffee, Cabin Coffee Co. roasts its beans in-house at every location, guaranteeing top-notch flavor and quality. The menu goes beyond coffee, featuring blended beverages, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and soups to satisfy a wide range of tastes.

What truly sets Cabin Coffee Co. apart is its charming Western and Northwoods-inspired design, creating a warm and welcoming space for guests. Combined with a strong emphasis on community involvement and standout customer service, Cabin Coffee Co. delivers an experience that distinguishes it in the competitive coffee market.

Initial investment

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.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $40,000
Training Fee $15,000
Committed Franchise Fee $30,000 x (n-1)/2
Travel & Living Expenses While Training $300-$1,000/person/day
Real Estate $5,000-$500,000
Leasehold Improvements/Building $75,000 – $500,000
New Construction/Remodel (if you own building) $250,000 – $750,000
Equipment $100,000 – $200,000
Point of Sale System $15,000 – $30,000
Signs $15,000-$50,000
Opening Inventory $25,000-30,000
Advertising $3,000-$10,000
Insurance $5,000-$15,000
Additional Funds (Working Capital) (3-12 mo.) $20,000-$35,000
Router Installation & Configuration $2,500-$7,000
Construction Manager(s) $10,000 – $17,500
Architectural/Engineering Fees $15,000 – $65,000
Audio, Music, Video, Drive-thru Equipment $10,000 – $30,000
Miscellaneous Costs $2,500-$10,000
TOTAL INITIAL INVESTMENT $350,000 – $2,000,000

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $40,000
Training Fee $15,000
Committed Franchise Fee $30,000 x (n-1)/2
Travel & Living Expenses While Training $300-$1,000/person/day
Real Estate $5,000-$500,000
Leasehold Improvements/Building $75,000 – $500,000
New Construction/Remodel (if you own building) $250,000 – $750,000
Equipment $100,000 – $200,000
Point of Sale System $15,000 – $30,000
Signs $15,000-$50,000
Opening Inventory $25,000-30,000
Advertising $3,000-$10,000
Insurance $5,000-$15,000
Additional Funds (Working Capital) (3-12 mo.) $20,000-$35,000
Router Installation & Configuration $2,500-$7,000
Construction Manager(s) $10,000 – $17,500
Architectural/Engineering Fees $15,000 – $65,000
Audio, Music, Video, Drive-thru Equipment $10,000 – $30,000
Miscellaneous Costs $2,500-$10,000
TOTAL INITIAL INVESTMENT $350,000 – $2,000,000

Cabin Coffee Co.

2023

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Cabin Coffee Co. provides a thorough training program to help franchisees successfully operate their coffee shops and maintain the brand’s standards. Here’s an overview of the key training components they offer:

  1. Initial Training Program
    Franchisees and up to four key staff members attend a six-week training program at Cabin Coffee Co.’s headquarters in Clear Lake, Iowa. This program covers essential areas like operations, management, customer service, food preparation, and equipment use.
  2. On-Site Training
    Cabin Coffee Co. sends a dedicated training team to the franchisee’s location for 10 days around the store’s opening. This hands-on support helps staff apply what they’ve learned in real-time, ensuring smooth operations during the critical launch phase.
  3. Operations Manual and Ongoing Support
    Franchisees receive a detailed operations manual that serves as a day-to-day reference guide. Cabin Coffee Co. also provides ongoing coaching and assistance, including periodic visits and phone consultations, to help with continuous improvement.

Territory Protection

Cabin Coffee Co. offers territory protection to its franchisees, helping ensure that each location has a fair chance to succeed without facing competition from another Cabin Coffee Co. shop nearby. This protected territory is typically defined in the franchise agreement and is based on factors such as population density and geographic boundaries.

The goal is to give franchisees confidence that the brand will not place another unit too close to their location. While the size of the protected territory may vary depending on the market, Cabin Coffee Co. works closely with franchisees to determine reasonable and mutually beneficial boundaries.

Franchisees can rely on this protection as part of their investment security and long-term growth potential. However, it’s important for franchisees to understand that the territory protection generally applies only to traditional units and may not cover nontraditional locations like airports or universities.

Competitors

Below are some of

Cabin Coffee Co.

key competitors in the

Coffee & Tea

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

20

New
+
25%
25%

$40,000

$350,000

$2,000,000

n.a.

$826,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Fuelify

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$83,000 - $127,000

Mercato Cucina

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$199,000 - $346,000

Boba Nation

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.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$350,000 - $495,000

Parlay Cafe

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$203,000 - $459,000

Puffles

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$112,000 - $296,000

Tea Lounge

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$276,000 - $406,000

Our latest newsletters

Franchising 101

Is This Franchise the Right Fit for You?

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

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.

Franchisee Validation: Interviews, Reference Checking, Site Visits

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

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.

How to Evaluate a Franchise Opportunity (Industry, Brand Strength, Market Fit)

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

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.

Building a Franchise Business Plan & Pro Forma Financials

December 15, 2025
Costs, Fees and Financing

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.