Established
1981
Franchise Units
5
Minimum Investment
$250,000
Franchise Fee
Inquire
Total Investment Range
$550,000
Home Based
No
Description
Kahala Coffee Traders is a premium coffee franchise brand designed for today’s fast-evolving café culture. Built on a passion for handcrafted beverages, small-batch roasting, and warm customer experience, the brand blends the charm of a neighborhood coffee shop with the operational excellence of a scalable franchise model. Kahala Coffee Traders positions itself as a modern yet authentic specialty coffee concept—ideal for high-traffic urban hubs, suburban communities seeking an elevated café experience, and multi-unit investors who want a versatile and profitable foodservice brand.
In a market where consumers increasingly value quality sourcing, ethical practices, and genuine hospitality, Kahala Coffee Traders has carved out a distinctive identity. The brand goes beyond serving coffee; it curates a complete café environment built around community, comfort, and consistency. With a menu that spans signature espresso drinks, artisan cold brews, seasonal beverages, baked goods, grab-and-go items, and light café fare, franchisees operate a concept with both strong daytime traffic and reliable repeat business.
Supported by an experienced franchising organization, Kahala Coffee Traders gives new owners a structured pathway to profitability—pairing a beloved product category with strong branding, streamlined operations, and data-driven marketing systems.
Background
Kahala Coffee Traders operates under Kahala Brands, one of North America’s most experienced multi-concept franchising organizations. The roots of Kahala Brands go back to 1981, when entrepreneur Kevin Blackwell launched Surf City Squeeze, a smoothie shop that marked the beginning of what would become a global franchise powerhouse. Over time, Blackwell’s vision expanded through new concept development and strategic acquisitions, eventually forming Kahala Brands—now a respected leader in foodservice franchising.
Kahala Coffee Traders was officially developed through Kahala Franchising, L.L.C., a legal entity formed on December 29, 2008, with the brand beginning to offer franchises in 2011. Created to meet the rising consumer demand for premium specialty coffee, the concept blends handcrafted beverages, small-batch roasting, and a warm café environment with the operational structure of a scalable franchise model.
While Kahala Brands manages a large international network of nearly 3,000+ franchise locations across its portfolio, Kahala Coffee Traders itself remains a small, growing brand, with recent filings showing approximately 5 franchised units and 1 licensed unit in operation. This positions the concept as an emerging opportunity for franchisees who want to enter a developing system backed by one of the most experienced franchising organizations in the industry.
Today, Kahala Coffee Traders continues to expand across select U.S. markets through flexible store formats, streamlined operations, and a strong foundation of corporate support. It sits firmly in the Specialty Coffee and Café category—one of the most resilient and high-demand segments in the American foodservice industry.
Support Training
Kahala Coffee Traders provides a comprehensive support framework that sets franchisees up for long-term success. Backed by a major franchise organization, owners receive high-quality training, technology systems, and ongoing operational assistance.
Pre-Launch Support
• Site Selection & Territory Planning – Real estate experts help identify high-visibility, high-traffic locations.
• Lease Negotiation Assistance – Guidance to secure favorable commercial terms.
• Store Layout & Build-Out – Architectural design, equipment lists, branding guidelines, and vendor coordination.
• Initial Ordering & Supply Chain Setup – Connections to national suppliers for coffee, ingredients, equipment, and packaging.
Operational Training
• Barista & Beverage Training – Mastering espresso extraction, latte art, cold brew systems, and signature drink preparation.
• POS, Inventory & Staffing Systems – Technology training for sales reporting, forecasting, scheduling, and cost control.
• Food Safety & Compliance – Certification support and health code guidance.
• Soft Skills & Customer Experience – Guest engagement standards and service excellence training.
Marketing & Brand Development
• Grand opening marketing plan
• Digital ads support (social media, Google, local awareness)
• Access to branded templates, seasonal campaigns, and loyalty programs
• Local store marketing strategies for schools, offices, residential communities
Ongoing Franchise Support
• Regular business reviews and performance coaching
• Continuous menu innovation and R&D
• Supplier updates and cost optimization
• Technology enhancements and operational updates
• Field support visits and training refreshers
Ideal Candidate
Kahala Coffee Traders welcomes both first-time entrepreneurs and experienced multi-unit operators. The ideal franchise partner includes:
• Individuals passionate about coffee, hospitality, and community-focused retail
• Investors seeking a lifestyle-friendly business with repeat customers
• Owners who value structured systems, brand support, and operational simplicity
• Operators with experience in foodservice, retail management, or customer-facing roles
• Multi-unit franchisees looking to diversify into high-demand beverage concepts
• Candidates capable of investing in a premium café build-out
• Entrepreneurs who enjoy leading teams, managing daily operations, and nurturing local customer relationships
Preferred locations include residential neighborhoods, downtown districts, lifestyle centers, airports, universities, and areas with strong daytime traffic.
Financial Detail
Total Investment Required: $250,000 – $550,000
Minimum Liquid Capital Required: $100,000 – $150,000
Franchise Fee: $30,000 – $45,000
Store Build-Out & Infrastructure: $150,000 – $350,000 (equipment, design, signage, furniture)
Marketing Budget (Grand Opening): $10,000 – $20,000
Working Capital: $20,000 – $40,000
Royalty Fees: Typically 6% of gross sales
Marketing/Brand Fund: 1% – 3% of gross sales
Expected ROI: Many franchisees target 18–36 months depending on location and operating efficiency
Break-Even Time: Commonly 12–24 months
Potential Revenue Streams:
• Espresso drinks
• Cold brew & specialty beverages
• Bakery items & pastries
• Breakfast and light café food
• Seasonal drinks
• Retail packaged coffee and merchandise
• Catering, office coffee programs, and bulk orders