

MOTW Coffee & Pastries is a mission-driven specialty coffee and bakery franchise that originated from the “Muslims of the World” social media community. It was founded by Sajjad Shah, who opened the first café in 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The brand later established its corporate operations in Fishers, Indiana, in the greater Indianapolis area.
The company began franchising in July 2023 under MOTW Coffee & Pastries Franchising, LLC. As of 2025, it operates several corporate-owned locations and has multiple franchise units in development across states such as Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, and California.
MOTW Coffee & Pastries offers a curated menu of espresso drinks, specialty lattes like the Date Cardamom Latte, traditional chai, premium teas, and Arabic and classic pastries. The franchise also includes mobile coffee-cart services, event catering, and packaged retail products, offering versatility in both brick-and-mortar and pop-up formats.
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.
MOTW Coffee & Pastries provides structured training and support to help franchisees successfully launch and operate their cafes. The training programs are tailored to ensure franchisees understand the business operations, standards, and service expectations.
MOTW Coffee & Pastries does not offer exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. While franchisees are assigned a location and are required to operate within MOTW’s brand guidelines and systems, there is no explicit mention that prevents the franchisor from placing other franchises nearby or operating company-owned locations in the same region.
Furthermore, the franchise agreement includes provisions for collective advertising and cooperative structures, which may involve multiple franchisees within a designated area. The document also emphasizes conformity to MOTW’s national promotional efforts and brand standards rather than granting geographical exclusivity.
Below are some of
MOTW Coffee & Pastries
key competitors in the
Coffee & Tea
sector.

0
$75,000
$360,000
$572,000
n.a.
$0
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

Boba Nation
$200K - $500K
1
$30,000
$350,000
$495,000
n.a.
$0
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

Chatime
$200K - $500K
16
$54,900
$293,000
$480,000
n.a.
$244,000
$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.