Q&A: Does Starbucks Franchise in the UK?

Starbucks is well known across the globe for its delicious coffee. If you’re a lover of the caffeinated drink and on the lookout for a new business venture, you might have wondered if Starbucks franchises in the UK. Let’s find out.

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As the world’s largest coffeehouse chain, it’s hardly surprising that Starbucks serves millions of customers each week. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, its famous logo symbolises American coffee culture. The brand focuses on connecting with every customer, by offering the highest quality coffee and providing an engaging in-store experience. There are now more than 32,000 stores in 80 countries. Could you open the next?

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Does Starbucks franchise in the UK?

Yes, it has used the franchise model to expand in the UK. But on its website, it doesn’t appear to be recruiting any new franchisees at the moment. There’s a chance that this situation could change in the future so we will still take a look at the opportunity it offered most recently. Then, we recommend checking back on our site or its website for any updates.

We create a customer experience that is grounded around human connections, over coffee. At the end of the day, we differentiate on our coffee. We differentiate on the craft that we put into that coffee. We differentiate on the comfort we provide in our stores more and more with convenience for mobile ordering and delivery.

– Starbucks CEO, Kevin Johnson

History of Starbucks

The Starbucks brand was born in Seattle on March 30, 1971. The business came about when three individuals met while they were students at the University of San Francisco and decided to join forces and sell high-quality coffee beans. These were Zev Siegl, Jerry Baldwin and Gordon Bowker. From a small shop front, they offered some of the world’s tastiest fresh-roasted whole bean coffees.

In 1981, the now-former Starbucks CEO Howard Shultz walked into a Starbucks unit for the first time. After being drawn in from the first sip of his Sumatra coffee, he decided to join a year later. The partners sold it to him in 1987. Thanks to his wealth of expertise in the industry, Howard played a fundamental role in bringing the Starbucks brand to where it is today.

After achieving impressive global expansion, Starbucks now provides its aromatic coffee in over 32,000 locations.

Starting a Starbucks franchise unit

Let’s break down the Starbucks franchise opportunity so you can decide whether it’s right for you.

Becoming a Starbucks franchisee

You need to be passionate about coffee to be accepted onto the franchise programme. It’s also important to have great leadership and communication skills and be able to find a suitable site location. Again, your best option is to keep your ear to the ground and check the Starbucks website to find out when you can invest again.

How much you need to invest

If you have the personality traits Starbucks is after – great! But you also need to have liquid assets that amount to a minimum of £500,000 and be able to guarantee your own financing.

What you get for your investment

In return, you will be supported in every aspect of your business. This includes store design, marketing strategies and more. You will receive all the training you need to be a confident business owner and the programme will last around one month. You won’t be left alone even when you’re up and running as it offers ongoing support and business consultations.

Similar franchise opportunities on Point Franchise

Want to find out more about coffee franchises that are currently looking for franchisees? Check out two of our top picks below.

Esquires Coffee

This is a franchise that cares as much about the local community as its profit margins. In 2017, it was listed as the UK’s second most ethical coffee company and top coffee franchise by Elite Franchise. It has established over 50 coffee shops across the UK and Ireland.

• Becoming an Esquires Coffee franchisee: Stores can be launched in the form of small kiosks or stands in busy commercial areas or larger, two-storey cafes of up to 2,000 square feet. You must share the brand philosophy and be business minded.
• How much you need to invest: The investment fee needed to establish an Esquires Coffee store will depend upon the size of the outlet, but you should be prepared to pay around £225,000. This will go towards property agency fees, store design and fit-out, furniture and equipment. An additional payment of £19,500 will cover franchisee fees.
• What you get for your investment: If you choose to franchise with this international coffee shop business, you will be guided through the process of opening your own store. You’ll get training and support in site selection, store design, lease negotiation and marketing.

Coffee Blue

Coffee Blue is the UK’s leading mobile coffee van franchise, selling “barista-quality hot drinks” and delicious food, which it takes to workplaces, events and festivals across the country.

• Becoming a Coffee Blue franchisee: You’ll operate out of a Ford Transit Custom that has been converted into a sparkling coffee station.
• How much you need to invest: Coffee Blue asks for a minimum investment of £8,000.
• What you get for your investment: You’ll get master barista training and ongoing support, as well as NCASS membership, access to the EPOS till system and help with marketing and social media.

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>> Read more:

• Franchising 101: The Official Franchise Start Up Checklist (Part 1)
• Franchising 101: The Official Franchise Start Up Checklist (Part 2)
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• It's Never Too Late to Start a New Business

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Start your own coffee shop franchise

Although it doesn’t look like Starbucks is currently hiring new franchisees, we wouldn’t be surprised if it reopened the opportunity again at some point. In the meantime why not browse our coffee shop franchises? We have plenty to choose from; many are mobile franchises too, so you can save on startup costs.

You can also take a look at the UK franchise directory.