2005
9
$329,000
$25,000
$702,000
No
CoCo Crepes & Waffles is a beloved neighborhood café that brings people together over delicious, made-to-order crepes, waffles, and gourmet coffee. With a menu that caters to all ages and preferences—including vegetarian and halal options—CoCo Crepes & Waffles offers a welcoming atmosphere for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert. The brand's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned it a loyal following, making it a standout choice in the competitive café and fast-casual dining market.
Diverse Menu Appeal: The extensive menu includes sweet and savory crepes, waffles, paninis, soups, salads, gelato, smoothies, and a variety of hot and iced beverages, ensuring there's something for everyone.
All-Day Dining: The café's offerings cater to customers throughout the day, from early morning coffee seekers to evening dessert enthusiasts.
Visual Cooking Experience: The open kitchen design allows customers to watch their crepes and waffles being prepared, creating an engaging dining experience that draws in passersby.
Established Brand: Founded in 2005, CoCo Crepes & Waffles has grown to multiple locations, demonstrating a proven business model and brand recognition.
Founded: 2005
Founder: Chef Youssef Nafaa
Ownership: Coco’s Franchise, LLC, based in Houston, Texas
Industry: Food & Beverage – Fast-Casual Café
Brand Journey & History:
CoCo Crepes & Waffles started as a single neighborhood café in Houston, Texas, founded by Chef Youssef Nafaa. Inspired by his international travels and culinary experiences, Chef Nafaa envisioned a café where families, friends, and communities could enjoy freshly made crepes, waffles, and gourmet coffee in a warm and welcoming environment. Over the years, the brand has become known for its high-quality ingredients, creative menu, and engaging dining experience, particularly its open kitchen where customers can watch their meals being prepared.
Franchise Units & Expansion:
Currently, CoCo Crepes & Waffles operates 9 locations in Houston, Texas. The franchise is actively seeking qualified franchisees to expand across the USA, including states like Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. The expansion strategy focuses on urban and suburban markets with high foot traffic and a diverse demographic.
Market Positioning & Reputation:
CoCo Crepes & Waffles positions itself as a family-friendly café with a fast-casual dining experience. The brand is recognized for its all-day menu that appeals to both breakfast and dessert lovers, combining sweet and savory options that cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian and halal offerings. Its strong reputation for quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has created a loyal customer base and a proven, scalable business model.
Industry Category:
Fast-Casual Café, Food & Beverage – specializing in crepes, waffles, paninis, desserts, beverages, and light meals.
Ownership & Management:
The brand is privately owned and managed under Coco’s Franchise, LLC. Franchisees benefit from the founder’s hands-on experience and guidance, as well as comprehensive operational and marketing support to ensure consistent quality and brand standards.
Market Presence in the USA:
While currently concentrated in Texas, CoCo Crepes & Waffles is actively expanding into other states. The brand has been gaining attention in the fast-casual café sector for its unique combination of freshly prepared menu items, engaging in-store experience, and family-friendly environment.
CoCo Crepes & Waffles offers comprehensive support to franchisees:
Pre-Launch: Assistance with site selection, lease negotiation, and store design.
Training: Comprehensive training programs covering operations, customer service, and product preparation.
Marketing: Ongoing marketing support, including national and local campaigns, promotional materials, and digital marketing strategies.
Operational Support: Continuous support to ensure efficient operations, quality control, and customer satisfaction.
Ongoing Education: Access to updated training materials and workshops to keep franchisees informed about industry trends and best practices.
The ideal franchisee for CoCo Crepes & Waffles is someone who is passionate about food, hospitality, and building a community-focused business. Below is a detailed breakdown of the profile:
1. Experience & Background:
Prior experience in the restaurant or foodservice industry is highly desirable, particularly in fast-casual dining or café operations.
Business management experience, including staff supervision, financial management, and customer service excellence, is a significant advantage.
While industry experience is helpful, motivated individuals with strong entrepreneurial skills and a willingness to learn can also succeed with the support of the franchisor.
2. Skills & Abilities:
Leadership Skills: Ability to manage and motivate a team, maintain operational standards, and ensure excellent customer service.
Operational Aptitude: Understanding of day-to-day business operations, inventory management, and staff scheduling.
Customer-Focused Mindset: Passion for creating a memorable, high-quality dining experience for all customers.
Marketing & Community Engagement: Willingness to actively participate in local marketing initiatives and build strong community relationships.
3. Passion & Values:
A genuine interest in food and hospitality, with a commitment to serving fresh, quality products.
Dedication to upholding the brand’s standards and delivering consistent customer experiences.
Alignment with CoCo Crepes & Waffles’ family-friendly and community-oriented values.
4. Financial Capability:
Adequate capital to cover the total investment range ($329,000 to $702,000), including franchise fee, infrastructure, marketing, and working capital.
Ability to sustain operations until the business reaches break-even, typically 18–24 months.
5. Location Preference & Expansion Mindset:
Preference for urban and suburban locations with high foot traffic and diverse customer bases.
Interest in long-term growth, with the potential to expand into multiple franchise units if desired.
Willingness to engage with the local community and participate in brand-promotional activities.
6. Personality Traits:
Entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and a drive to succeed.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with staff, customers, and the franchisor.
Adaptability and openness to learning best practices from the franchisor’s proven systems.
Summary:
The ideal CoCo Crepes & Waffles franchisee is a motivated, customer-oriented entrepreneur with sufficient financial resources, a passion for quality food, and the ability to follow proven operational systems. Franchisees who combine business acumen, hospitality skills, and community engagement are most likely to thrive and expand successfully.
| Financial Component | Estimated Amount / Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $329,000 – $702,000 | Includes franchise fee, infrastructure, equipment, and working capital |
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 – $35,000 | One-time fee paid to the franchisor for brand licensing and support |
| Infrastructure / Build-Out | $200,000 – $500,000 | Costs for interior design, construction, kitchen equipment, furniture, and décor |
| Marketing Budget | $5,000 – $15,000 (initial) + ongoing contributions | Covers local launch marketing, advertising, social media campaigns, and grand opening |
| Working Capital | $25,000 – $50,000 | Funds to cover initial months of operations and staff salaries before break-even |
| Royalty Fees | 6% – 8% of gross sales | Paid monthly to the franchisor for ongoing support and brand use |
| Expected ROI | 20% – 30% annually (varies by location & management) | Based on average store performance in comparable markets |
| Break-Even Time | 18 – 24 months | Depends on location, customer traffic, and operational efficiency |
| Potential Revenue Streams | In-store dining, takeout, catering, delivery, seasonal promotions | Opportunity to diversify revenue beyond walk-in customers |
| Franchise Units (Current) | 9 locations (primarily Houston, TX) | Expanding in other states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Utah |
