What should I check before buying a coffee franchise resale?

The espresso machine matters, and there is a separate page on checking a coffee franchise’s espresso equipment.

The morning peak and how customers arrive

Ask for traffic by hour and by channel. Does the unit live on a drive-through or kiosk line, or on walk-in customers? The first can be limited by the site, the second by the surrounding foot traffic. Visit at the peak yourself and watch how the line moves, how long people wait and how many walk away.

Loyalty app, customer data and suppliers

Find out who holds the customer data from the brand’s loyalty app and what you may do with it. Ask which suppliers and bean contracts the franchisor requires, and whether any pricing is set by the system rather than by you. Those choices shape your costs and leave less room than an independent has.

Lease, term and refurbishment

Read how the lease and the franchise term fit together. A lease that ends before the franchise does, or the reverse, leaves a gap. Ask the franchisor in writing whether it will require refurbishment on transfer, and have your lawyer read both documents together before you commit to anything.

Who works the shifts

Ask how many opening shifts the owner covers and whether a trained manager can run the unit without them. A unit that depends on its owner is a different purchase from one with a settled team. Your accountant can help you read the staffing costs in the statements.