Ellianos Coffee Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Ellianos Coffee is a drive-thru coffee franchise offering a variety of specialty coffees, espressos, and smoothies, providing a convenient and high-quality beverage experience.

Founded in 2002 by coffee enthusiasts and seasoned entrepreneurs Scott and Pam Stewart, Ellianos Coffee Company originated in Lake City, Florida. Inspired by the thriving drive-thru specialty coffee scene in the Pacific Northwest, the Stewarts introduced this concept to their hometown, establishing a brand that quickly resonated with the community.

Recognizing the immediate success and potential for growth, Ellianos began franchising in 2003. The company has since expanded its footprint across the Southeastern United States. Ellianos offers a diverse menu that includes handcrafted espresso beverages, smoothies, frappés, and a selection of breakfast and lunch items, catering to a broad range of customer preferences.

What sets Ellianos apart from competitors is its commitment to delivering "Italian Quality at America's Pace." This philosophy emphasizes providing high-quality products with efficiency and convenience, particularly through its double-sided drive-thru design.

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 $30,000 - $30,000
Initial Training Program -- Travel and Living Expense $1,000 - $3,000
Real Estate Variable
Building/Improvements $385,000 - $515,000
Payment and Performance Bonds $9,000 - $20,700
Site Work $50,000 - $175,000
Civil Engineering & Permitting $12,000 - $30,000
Architectural, MEP, & Engineering Costs $14,000 - $19,500
Impact & Tap Fees $2,000 - $40,000
Landscaping $10,000 - $25,000
Equipment and Supplies $113,500 - $134,500
Signs $14,000 - $25,000
Security Deposits $5,000 - $10,000
Opening Inventory $10,000 - $10,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $2,000 - $6,000
Opening Advertising $10,000 - $10,000
Additional Funds (3 Months) $10,000 - $20,000
Total $671,500 - $1,068,700
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $30,000 - $30,000
Initial Training Program -- Travel and Living Expense $1,000 - $3,000
Real Estate Variable
Building/Improvements $385,000 - $515,000
Payment and Performance Bonds $9,000 - $20,700
Site Work $50,000 - $175,000
Civil Engineering & Permitting $12,000 - $30,000
Architectural, MEP, & Engineering Costs $14,000 - $19,500
Impact & Tap Fees $2,000 - $40,000
Landscaping $10,000 - $25,000
Equipment and Supplies $113,500 - $134,500
Signs $14,000 - $25,000
Security Deposits $5,000 - $10,000
Opening Inventory $10,000 - $10,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $2,000 - $6,000
Opening Advertising $10,000 - $10,000
Additional Funds (3 Months) $10,000 - $20,000
Total $671,500 - $1,068,700

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Ellianos provides a comprehensive suite of training programs for franchisees, their managers, and staff to ensure effective operation of the Franchised Store. Here are the types of training offered:

  1. Initial Training Program: This is mandatory for franchisees and includes both classroom and on-the-job training. Topics include barista techniques, payroll, advertising, marketing, administrative practices, and in-store operations. It is conducted online and at Ellianos' training facility or an Ellianos Store. Completion is required before store opening.
  2. Development Training: Franchisees and designated employees must complete training specified by Ellianos related to store development. Optional development training may also be required, with tuition fees and travel expenses covered by the franchisee.
  3. Additional Training Courses: The franchisor may require completion of additional courses beyond the initial program. These could include updates on new procedures or compliance standards, and franchisees are responsible for associated fees and expenses.

Territory Protection

Ellianos grants franchisees a Protected Area, within which it agrees not to open or license another Ellianos Store, provided the franchisee complies with the terms of the Franchise Agreement.

This means the franchisee can operate continuously at the designated location without internal brand competition within the defined radius. However, this territorial protection is limited in scope and does not amount to an exclusive territory.

The franchisor retains certain rights within the Protected Area, which means franchisees might still face competition from other Ellianos outlets if the agreement ends or from stores already operating in the area.

Competitors

Below are some of

Ellianos Coffee

key competitors in the

Coffee & Tea

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

63

New
+
110%
110%

$30,000

$672,000

$1,069,000

n.a.

$1,127,000

$xxx,xxx

66.2%

xx%

n.a.

23.1%

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

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

Front Porch Cafe

Front Porch Café is a café franchise offering freshly roasted coffee, breakfast and light lunch fare in a community-oriented environment, serving coffee lovers and local patrons, and known for purpose-driven culture, scalable café footprint, and valued franchise support.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$189,000 - $348,000

CAFFE ARONNE

CAFFE ARONNE is a coffee-shop franchise offering specialty espresso drinks, iced coffee, pastries and café fare, serving urban café guests and commuters, and known for premium coffee craft, community-centred décor and supportive franchise program.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$98,000 - $268,000

The Rush Coffee

The Rush Coffee is a mobile coffee-truck franchise offering specialty coffee and beverages from mobile units, serving events, campuses and crowded venues, and known for a proven mobile format, franchisee training and turnkey vehicle model.

Franchisees

?

3
+
200%
200%
Investment

?

$72,000 - $241,000