Established
2006
Franchise Units
225
Minimum Investment
$50,000
Franchise Fee
$15,000
Total Investment Range
$500,000
Home Based
No
Description
Cuppy's Coffee: A High-Speed, High-Profit Coffee and Smoothie Franchise
Are you searching for a lucrative investment in the booming quick-service beverage industry? Look no further than a Cuppy's Coffee franchise! Positioned uniquely in the highly desirable drive-thru and cafe market, Cuppy's Coffee & More offers a dynamic, fun, and fast-paced business model that is primed for success across the USA. We are an industry-disruptor, combining the best of the specialty coffee world with the rising demand for fresh, 100% fruit smoothies, all delivered to the customer In Under a Minute.
The modern consumer demands speed, quality, and variety. Cuppy's Coffee meets all three head-on. Our core competitive advantage is our lightning-fast service model, ensuring that daily coffee commuters and on-the-go health enthusiasts get their favorite handcrafted beverage without the long wait. This focus on efficiency and premium product quality—featuring hand-roasted, hand-blended coffee and rich, ice-cold smoothies—positions Cuppy's to capture a large share of repeat business, driving customers back 3-4 times a week. Join the Cuppy’s family and capitalize on the recession-resistant $80+ billion US coffee and fast-casual beverage market with a distinct, proven system.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
Unique Dual Revenue Stream: Unlike many competitors, Cuppy's seamlessly blends the high-margin specialty coffee business with the immensely popular 100% fruit smoothie market. This diversification offers multiple revenue streams, catering to a broader customer base from early morning to late evening.
Unmatched Speed of Service: Our signature promise is to deliver a handcrafted beverage In Under a Minute. This operational efficiency is a massive draw for the drive-thru consumer and is a key competitive differentiator in saturated markets.
Flexible Business Formats: Cuppy's offers a range of adaptable models, including the highly profitable dual drive-up/drive-thru, the welcoming coffee café/coffee shop, and smaller, high-traffic concepts like the kiosk and mobile café/cart. This flexibility allows franchisees to tailor their investment to specific market demographics and available real estate.
Complete, A-Z Business System: Cuppy's provides a comprehensive, proven business format franchise system. From proprietary recipes and volume buying power for premium products to cutting-edge POS systems and detailed cash control procedures, everything an owner needs for successful operation is supplied.
Robust Industry Growth: The drive-thru segment of the coffee market continues to show resilience and growth, offering investors a stable platform to build a long-term asset.
Background
Established Year: 2006
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Founder: Dale Nabors
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Headquarters: Originally Fort Walton Beach, Florida; later operations managed from Greenville, South Carolina
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Ownership: Privately held by FranSynergy Inc., led by founder Dale Nabors
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Franchise Units (Historic): At its peak, Cuppy’s Coffee & More had more than 225 franchisees across the U.S. before franchise operations ceased in 2009
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Brand Journey & Company History:
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Cuppy’s Coffee & More was launched in 2006 as a specialty coffee and smoothie brand targeting both quick-service coffee lovers and healthy beverage consumers.
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The company grew rapidly in its early years, expanding across multiple states with drive-thrus, kiosks, mobile units, and café-style locations.
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The franchise model was designed to accommodate a wide range of entrepreneurs, from small kiosk owners to full-scale café operators.
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By 2007, the brand had opened several new stores per month and had established a strong early footprint in the U.S. coffee market.
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In 2009, the company ceased its franchise operations due to operational challenges, though some independent locations continued to operate under the brand name.
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Market Presence in the USA:
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Historically active in multiple U.S. states with both urban and suburban presence.
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Currently, no active franchise network exists; any remaining locations operate independently without corporate support.
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Industry Category: Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) – Specialty Coffee and Smoothie Bars
Summary: Cuppy’s Coffee was a fast-growing franchise brand with a strong early market presence and diverse business models. Although it no longer operates as an active franchise, it holds a notable legacy in the U.S. specialty coffee industry.
Support Training
Cuppy's Coffee is committed to a partnership approach, ensuring every franchisee is equipped with the knowledge and tools for optimal performance. Our robust support system includes:
Pre-Launch & Development Support:
Real Estate & Site Selection: You will partner with commercial real estate locators specializing in finding high-visibility, "A+" locations with the best lease or purchase terms, including protected geographic areas.
Construction Project Management: A dedicated team of professionals, led by your Project Manager, oversees construction, ensuring all state/local codes are met, and the build-out is completed efficiently and on budget for your chosen format (drive-thru, café, kiosk, etc.).
Financial Counseling & Assistance: Access to third-party financing assistance and guidance for working capital procurement is available to help streamline the startup process.
Comprehensive Training & Management Development:
Cuppy's Coffee College: An immersive, multi-day academic program covering sales, operational excellence, inventory management, customer service, and proprietary systems.
In-Store/On-Site Training: Hands-on training at an operating location provides real-world experience in daily operations, beverage preparation, and high-speed service execution.
Web-Based Distance Learning: Ongoing training via webinars and web-based courses ensures your management team stays current with best practices and product innovations.
Operational & Marketing Support:
Ongoing Operational Guidance: Dedicated Franchise Systems Managers provide continuous support, monitoring your performance, and assisting with any operational or technical challenges.
Marketing Assistance: Franchisees benefit from national, regional, and local marketing support, innovative campaigns, and provided POS (Point-of-Sale) materials to increase brand awareness and drive traffic.
Volume Buying Power: Access to approved suppliers, leveraging the system’s volume to ensure quality products and optimized costs for franchisees.
Ideal Candidate
Cuppy's Coffee seeks ambitious, customer-focused individuals ready to embrace a "lifestyle" business, not just an investment.
Entrepreneurial Drive: A passion for the QSR, coffee, and service industry, combined with a strong work ethic and a desire to follow a proven system.
Business Acumen: While prior coffee experience is not required, a solid background in business management, retail, or team leadership is highly beneficial.
Customer-Centric Focus: A commitment to providing premium products and executing the In Under a Minute service standard with an enthusiastic, friendly attitude that keeps customers returning.
Investment Capability: Must meet the minimum financial requirements to ensure successful funding and operational runway.
Location Preference: Ideal candidates are typically interested in developing a single or multiple units within a protected territory in high-traffic, high-visibility locations, especially those with strong morning and afternoon commuter flows. Preference is given to individuals eager to develop in underserved, high-growth US markets.
Financial Detail
Note: These figures are estimates based on previously published franchise information. Investors must verify all costs and financial performance representations in the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).