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

Front Porch Cafe Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

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.

Front Porch Café was founded in 1999 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. It began as a specialty coffee brand focused on small-batch roasting on the Outer Banks. The company is headquartered in Kill Devil Hills and has grown from a local favorite into a recognizable coastal coffee concept.

The Front Porch Café franchise program officially launched in 2022, allowing qualified operators to bring the brand outside its home region. The cafés sell premium small-batch roasted coffee, espresso drinks, cold brews, pastries, and a selection of café food. Each location delivers a relaxed coastal atmosphere inspired by the brand’s Outer Banks heritage.

Front Porch Café differentiates itself through its origins as the first small-batch coffee roaster on the Outer Banks and its commitment to ethically sourced beans. The brand also emphasizes community-focused hospitality and a warm neighborhood feel.

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 $25,000 – $25,000
Traveling and Living Expenses while Training $3,000 – $4,200
Real Property Rent and Security Deposits $4,000 – $22,500
Leasehold Improvements $20,000 – $90,000
Equipment, Furniture, Fixtures, and Décor $60,000 – $80,000
Initial Inventory $20,000 – $30,000
Signage $1,000 – $8,000
Grand Opening Advertising $1,000 – $3,000
Licenses, Permits, and Certifications $100 – $1,000
Insurance (3 Months) $1,000 – $2,000
TV, Cameras, and Other Supplies $1,000 – $2,000
Professional Fees $3,000 – $5,000
Additional Funds (3 months) $50,000 – $75,000
Total $189,100 – $347,700
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $25,000 – $25,000
Traveling and Living Expenses while Training $3,000 – $4,200
Real Property Rent and Security Deposits $4,000 – $22,500
Leasehold Improvements $20,000 – $90,000
Equipment, Furniture, Fixtures, and Décor $60,000 – $80,000
Initial Inventory $20,000 – $30,000
Signage $1,000 – $8,000
Grand Opening Advertising $1,000 – $3,000
Licenses, Permits, and Certifications $100 – $1,000
Insurance (3 Months) $1,000 – $2,000
TV, Cameras, and Other Supplies $1,000 – $2,000
Professional Fees $3,000 – $5,000
Additional Funds (3 months) $50,000 – $75,000
Total $189,100 – $347,700

Front Porch Cafe

2025

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

The Front Porch Cafe provides a structured training program designed to ensure franchisees are adequately prepared to operate their business in alignment with the brand’s standards.

  1. Initial Training Program: Before opening, the franchisor offers an initial training program at a designated location. This program is mandatory and must be completed to the franchisor’s satisfaction. While there is no tuition fee, the franchisee is responsible for all related expenses, including travel and lodging.
  2. Opening Assistance: Alongside training, the franchisor provides support with site selection and operational guidance during the setup phase. If additional on-site help is requested, it is billed at the franchisor’s standard rates plus expenses.
  3. Ongoing Training: Throughout the franchise term, the franchisor may require attendance at up to two ongoing training sessions annually. These can include seminars, conferences, or webinars, with associated costs such as a $500 daily fee per attendee, plus travel and accommodation expenses.

Territory Protection

The Front Porch Cafe franchise provides its franchisees with an exclusive territory. This means the franchisor agrees not to establish another company-owned or franchised outlet offering similar goods or services under the same or similar trademarks within that specific geographic region.

The territory is typically defined by a 3-mile radius, zip codes, or natural or political boundaries, and it remains fixed regardless of sales volume or population changes. However, the exclusivity has certain limitations.

The franchisor and its affiliates reserve the right to use alternative channels of distribution—such as the internet, catalog sales, or telemarketing—to sell products or accept orders within the franchisee’s territory using the principal trademarks.

Competitors

Below are some of

Front Porch Cafe

key competitors in the

Coffee & Tea

sector.

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

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$25,000

$189,000

$348,000

n.a.

$0

$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.