Starbucks Franchise Cost: Why You Can't Buy One, and What to Buy Instead

Starbucks is the largest coffee house chain in the world, with over 16,800 locations across the United States and more than 38,000 globally. Founded in 1971 in Seattle, the company transformed American coffee culture and built a brand so recognizable that thousands of people search for "Starbucks franchise" every month.

But Starbucks does not franchise. It never has in the U.S. or Canada. The company operates the majority of its stores directly and allows a limited number of partners to run licensed locations in places like airports, hospitals, universities, and grocery stores. That distinction matters, and understanding it can save you months of research heading in the wrong direction.

Below, we break down how the Starbucks licensing model actually works, what it costs, who qualifies, and which coffee franchises are open to individual investors looking to get into the space.

Can You Buy a Starbucks Franchise?

No. Starbucks does not offer franchises in the United States or Canada. Every Starbucks store in North America is either company-operated or run under a licensing agreement. There is no franchise fee, no FDD, and no franchise disclosure process.

The difference between a franchise and a licensed store matters. In a franchise model, you buy the right to operate under a brand and follow its system, but you own the business. In the Starbucks licensing model, you operate a Starbucks-branded store inside a location you already control (an airport terminal, a Target store, a hospital cafeteria), and Starbucks maintains much tighter control over the brand, menu, suppliers, and training than a typical franchisor would.

Most licensed Starbucks stores are operated by large institutional partners, not individual entrepreneurs. Think companies like Aramark, Sodexo, Target, and Kroger. To qualify as a licensed operator, you generally need multi-unit foodservice experience, access to non-traditional real estate, a net worth of $1 million or more, and $500,000 to $700,000 in liquid assets.

For the average investor looking to open a coffee shop, the Starbucks licensing path is not realistic. The alternatives section below covers coffee franchises that are open to individual owners.

Sources: Starbucks corporate licensing page, FranchiseCoach 2026, Wolf of Franchises 2026 analysis.

What Does a Licensed Starbucks Store Cost?

Because Starbucks does not file a Franchise Disclosure Document, there is no standardized cost breakdown the way you would find with a traditional franchise. However, industry estimates and licensing partner disclosures give us a reasonable range.

Total investment range: $315,000 to $2,888,700, depending on store format, location type, and build-out requirements.

Licensing fee: Starbucks does not publish a fixed licensing fee. Costs are negotiated with each partner and vary by location type.

Build-out and equipment: The largest cost component. A full kiosk build-out in an airport or grocery store typically runs $228,000 to $710,000. Larger footprint locations cost more.

Ongoing royalties: Approximately 8% of gross sales, plus a 2% marketing contribution.

Financial requirements: $1M+ net worth, $500K to $700K liquid assets, and existing multi-unit foodservice operations.

These figures are significantly higher than many standalone coffee franchises, and the licensing model limits where you can open (you cannot open a Starbucks licensed store on a random street corner). For most people searching for "Starbucks franchise cost," a traditional coffee franchise will be the more practical path.

Sources: Franchise Investor Data 2026, FranchiseBA cost analysis, Economy Insights 2026.

Starbucks Revenue & What Operators Earn

Starbucks does not publish per-store revenue data in the way a franchise system would in an FDD. However, public filings and analyst estimates give us a clear picture.

Average U.S. store revenue: Approximately $1.15 million per year for company-operated North America stores (FY2025). Licensed stores tend to generate lower volumes because they are often in smaller, captive-audience formats.

Daily revenue estimate: $2,800 to $3,200 per day for an average location, with high-traffic stores earning significantly more.

Licensed store operator earnings: After accounting for royalties (8%), marketing fees (2%), labor, and cost of goods, a licensed store operator can expect EBITDA of roughly $200,000 per year. This figure varies widely.

Store manager salary (corporate stores): $54,000 to $100,000 per year depending on location and experience, with an estimated average around $75,000 to $92,000 including bonuses.

For context, Starbucks generated $36.2 billion in global revenue in FY2025. The North America segment accounted for roughly 75% of total revenue. The company has been investing heavily in AI-powered personalization and mobile ordering, with mobile orders now representing about 31% of transactions.

Sources: Starbucks 10-K FY2025, FourWeekMBA 2026 revenue per store data, ZipRecruiter/Glassdoor salary data 2026.

Coffee Franchises You Can Actually Invest In

If you want to own a coffee business, these are established franchise systems that are actively selling units to individual investors. All data comes from each brand's most recent Franchise Disclosure Document as reported on VettedBiz.

Dunkin': The largest coffee franchise in the U.S. with nearly 8,500 locations. Known for affordable coffee, donuts, and breakfast sandwiches. Strong brand recognition, established supply chain, and a proven drive-through model make it one of the most reliable coffee investments available.

7 Brew: A rapidly growing drive-through coffee brand with over 320 locations and aggressive expansion plans. Known for a fun, high-energy customer experience and a menu that includes espresso drinks, smoothies, and energy drinks. One of the fastest-growing coffee franchises in the country.

Scooter's Coffee: A drive-through-focused coffee franchise with nearly 850 locations, primarily in the Midwest and expanding nationally. Known for its small-footprint kiosk model, which keeps build-out costs manageable relative to full-service coffee shops.

Biggby Coffee: A Michigan-based coffee franchise with over 420 locations. One of the more affordable coffee franchises to enter, with a lower franchise fee ($20,000) and a community-focused brand identity. A good option for first-time franchise owners.

Ziggi's Coffee: A Colorado-based coffee franchise with about 100 locations, offering both drive-through and cafe formats. Known for a diverse menu that includes coffee, energy drinks, and food items. Smaller system but growing steadily.

Sources: VettedBiz franchise database, individual FDDs.‍