The 7 Best Drive-Thru Coffee Franchises to Buy in 2026

The coffee landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with convenience now arguably the most critical factor for consumers. With daily routines accelerating and convenience reigning supreme, the drive-thru model has cemented its status as the most sought-after route for securing that vital caffeine boost.

• Unit Count: 849

• Investment Range: $692,150 - $1,523,400

Scooter’s is a national, drive-thru-first system with a mature playbook and heavy franchisor support. The brand publicly positions its model around speed, small footprints and kiosk/drive-thru formats, with disclosed fees and requirements for new operators.

• Unit Count: 100

• Investment Range: $581,500 - $1,759,500

Colorado-born Ziggi’s offers flexible drive-thru formats to suit various locations, including single-sided and double-sided drive-thrus, as well as a full café combined with a drive-thru.

• Unit Count: 158

• Investment Range: $562,090 - $1,290,931

A pure drive-thru specialist with decades in the lane. Notably, The Human Bean markets no ongoing royalty fee (operators should still review marketing and other fees in the FDD). The system highlights nationwide growth via franchised drive-thrus.

• Unit Count: 100+

• Investment Range: $597,821 - $1,825,221

New England-rooted and expanding, Aroma Joe’s self-describes as a “drive-thru coffee and energy drink franchise.” The brand specializes in unique flavor combinations for its drinks.

• Unit Count: 8,499

• Investment Range: $526,900 - $1,832,500

A legacy brand with a huge installed base of drive-thrus and a well-documented franchise process and training. For operators seeking scale and national brand power, Dunkin’ remains a top consideration.

• Unit Count: 440+

• Investment Range: $296,250 - $1,011,500

BIGGBY® is a fully franchised system (no company-run stores) with substantial growth momentum. The brand’s relatively moderate entry cost in the white-box format makes it a more accessible option, and it explicitly offers drive-thru formats (modular and site built) that align with the high-speed, convenience-first consumer trend.

• Unit Count: 1,232 globally, 130 in the U.S.

• Investment Range:Traditional Store: $940,665 – $1,430,177Kiosk Format: $551,500 – $916,059

A legacy premium coffee brand with more than six decades of history, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is actively repositioning for modern convenience-led growth. While historically associated with café formats, the system offers kiosk and non-traditional footprints that align well with drive-thru, high-traffic and limited-space environments.