2000
240
$109,146
$25,000
$154,621
No
Cafe2U is the world's premier mobile coffee franchise, offering a unique opportunity to own and operate a mobile café business. Founded in Australia in 2000 and franchised since 2005, Cafe2U has expanded globally, including a significant presence in the USA. The franchise delivers high-quality espresso coffee and gourmet snacks directly to workplaces, events, and public spaces, providing a convenient and premium coffee experience.
With over 240 franchise units worldwide, Cafe2U has established itself as a leader in the mobile coffee industry. The brand's commitment to quality, customer service, and innovative business model has earned it recognition as one of the top 100 global franchises.
Proven Business Model: Cafe2U's mobile coffee vans offer low overhead costs, eliminating the need for expensive real estate and reducing operational risks.
Flexible Work Hours: Franchisees can operate their business during hours that suit their lifestyle, with opportunities for both weekday and weekend events.
High Profit Potential: With a typical turnover ranging between $80,000 and $130,000 per year for a single van, the financial prospects are promising.
Strong Brand Recognition: As the world's largest mobile coffee franchise, Cafe2U benefits from a well-established brand with a loyal customer base.
Comprehensive Training and Support: The franchise offers extensive training and ongoing support to ensure franchisee success.
1. Established Year & Founders:
Cafe2U was founded in 2000 in Australia by Mark Borg and his team. The concept was to bring high-quality coffee directly to customers through a mobile café van model, eliminating the need for traditional retail storefronts. The founders recognized a growing demand for convenient, premium coffee on-the-go and created a scalable solution that could be franchised globally.
2. Franchise Journey & Expansion:
Franchising Since 2005: After proving its concept in Australia, Cafe2U began offering franchise opportunities.
Global Reach: Today, Cafe2U has over 240 franchise units worldwide, operating in countries including Australia, the UK, UAE, South Africa, and the USA.
USA Market Entry: The first Cafe2U franchise in the USA launched in 2011. Since then, the brand has steadily grown its presence, targeting urban areas, corporate locations, universities, and high-traffic public spaces. The goal is to eventually expand to 3,000 mobile coffee units across the USA through area representatives and franchisees.
3. Brand Ownership & Corporate Structure:
Cafe2U operates under a franchisor-franchisee model. The head office provides central management, brand guidelines, training programs, and marketing strategies, while franchisees own and operate individual mobile coffee units. In the USA, the corporate office ensures compliance with local regulations, health standards, and franchise operations best practices.
4. Industry Category & Market Positioning:
Industry: Food & Beverage – Mobile Coffee & Catering
Market Positioning: Cafe2U is positioned as the largest and most recognized mobile coffee franchise globally, combining convenience, quality, and customer service. By bringing coffee directly to the customer’s location, the franchise targets busy professionals, events, universities, and public gatherings where traditional cafés may not be accessible.
5. Key Achievements & Recognition:
Global Brand Recognition: Featured in international franchise rankings as a top mobile coffee business.
Sustainability Efforts: Many vans utilize environmentally-friendly equipment and biodegradable cups.
Innovative Business Model: Cafe2U’s mobile format allows for low overhead costs, flexible operating hours, and scalable growth opportunities for franchisees.
6. Corporate Support & Market Presence:
Cafe2U USA maintains a centralized support system for marketing, operations, and training.
Active in corporate partnerships, events, and local community engagement, strengthening its brand visibility.
The company is actively recruiting entrepreneurs and investors to expand across major US cities, leveraging the growing demand for premium coffee delivery and mobile café experiences.
Cafe2U offers a comprehensive support system designed to help franchisees succeed from the initial setup to long-term operations. The support covers pre-launch, operational, marketing, academic, and ongoing assistance.
Before opening, Cafe2U ensures franchisees are fully prepared to launch their mobile coffee business:
Site Selection & Territory Analysis: Assistance in identifying high-traffic locations, workplaces, campuses, and event hotspots to maximize sales potential.
Business Planning & Setup: Guidance on business structure, permits, legal requirements, and local compliance.
Equipment & Van Setup: Help with sourcing, fitting, and branding mobile coffee vans according to Cafe2U standards.
Launch Marketing Strategy: Pre-opening marketing plans, social media promotion, and community outreach to generate buzz.
Cafe2U provides hands-on training to ensure franchisees can operate efficiently:
Classroom Training (1 Week):
Professional barista skills for consistent coffee quality.
Food handling, hygiene, and safety certification (HACCP).
Business operations manuals covering daily routines, inventory, and customer service.
In-Territory Training (1 Week):
On-the-job guidance with an experienced Franchise Development Manager.
Real-world scenarios: serving at events, managing multiple locations, handling peak hours.
Sales & Customer Engagement: Techniques to attract repeat customers and manage corporate contracts.
Cafe2U helps franchisees build brand awareness and generate revenue:
National and local marketing campaigns.
Social media support and templates for promotions.
Access to branded materials like uniforms, cups, and signage.
Strategies for engaging corporate clients, schools, and community events.
Cafe2U provides continuous assistance to help franchisees grow their business:
Operational Support: Advice on logistics, supply management, and van maintenance.
Financial Guidance: Insights into cost control, pricing strategies, and revenue optimization.
Franchise Network: Access to a community of franchisees for shared best practices, networking, and mentorship.
Software & Technology: Tools for mobile orders, customer relationship management, and sales tracking.
Refresher training for new products or seasonal menus.
Business growth strategies for multi-van operations.
Guidance on expanding into corporate events, catering, and larger contracts.
Cafe2U seeks motivated and ambitious individuals to join its global network of mobile coffee franchisees. The ideal franchisee possesses a combination of entrepreneurial drive, customer service focus, financial capability, and a passion for the coffee industry.
Franchisees should have a strong desire to own and operate their own business.
Comfortable taking initiative, making decisions, and solving challenges in a fast-paced environment.
Willing to follow a proven business model while bringing their personal energy and creativity to the brand.
Passion for delivering excellent customer service and building strong client relationships.
Able to engage with customers at events, workplaces, universities, and community settings.
Focused on creating a premium coffee experience, ensuring repeat business and brand loyalty.
Must have sufficient capital to meet initial investment requirements and cover working capital.
Comfortable managing operational costs, marketing budgets, and van maintenance.
Understands the importance of ROI tracking and financial planning to grow the business sustainably.
Able to manage day-to-day operations including van scheduling, supply management, and staff supervision (if applicable).
Willing to learn barista skills, safety standards, and operational procedures provided during training.
Capable of balancing multiple roles: business owner, marketer, and customer service ambassador.
Passionate about coffee and the growing mobile café industry.
Self-motivated, disciplined, and resilient, ready to handle the challenges of running a mobile business.
Prefers high-traffic urban areas, corporate hubs, universities, and community events where Cafe2U vans can reach maximum customers.
Open to networking, participating in franchise events, and contributing to the brand’s growth in the USA.
Team-oriented mindset to collaborate with the franchisor and other franchisees.
Commitment to brand standards, ethical business practices, and community engagement.
Enthusiasm for growth—potential to expand into multi-van operations or corporate catering contracts in the future.
| Financial Component | Details / Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 |
| Total Investment Required | $109,146 – $154,621 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $100,000 |
| Liquid Cash Requirement | $25,000 |
| Royalty Fee | $175 per week |
| Marketing / Advertising Fee | Included in royalty or variable depending on location |
| Franchise Term | 10 years, renewable |
| Infrastructure / Van Cost | Part of total investment (~$50,000–$70,000 for van and setup) |
| Working Capital | Included in total investment (~$10,000–$20,000) |
| Expected ROI | Typically 15–25% annually per van |
| Break-even Time | 12–24 months (depending on location and sales) |
| Potential Revenue Streams | - Mobile coffee sales at offices, events, campuses - Catering services - Corporate contracts - Seasonal promotions / festivals |
Explore top franchise opportunities in Canada & the U.S.
Your Expert
Franchise Voice
US & Canada, Consulting Team
