Ellianos Coffee Franchise Costs, Fees and Profit for 2025

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A drive-thru specialty coffee franchise focused on speed, quality and Southern hospitality.

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $671,500 - $1,068,700

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $1,024,602 (average net sales FY 2024)

Brand overview

Ellianos Coffee is a drive-thru specialty coffee franchise known for fast service, consistent drinks and a friendly Southern feel. The brand focuses on high-quality coffee, simple operations and a community-centered approach. It operates across the Southeast and continues to grow through franchising.

Ellianos Coffee was founded in 2002 in Lake City, Florida, by Pam and Scott Stewart. They were inspired after visiting the Pacific Northwest and seeing the success of drive-thru specialty coffee shops. They brought the idea back home and created a double-sided drive-thru model focused on convenience and quality. Scott previously worked as a franchisee in the pizza industry, which influenced the brand’s franchise support culture.

Mission: The mission of Ellianos Coffee is to provide high-quality specialty coffee fast, in a friendly and convenient drive-thru setting.

Vision: The vision is to grow a community-focused coffee brand that offers consistent quality and a simple customer experience across the Southeast and beyond.

• Double-sided drive-thru design for speed

• Southern hospitality and community focus

• Consistent drink quality with real ingredients

• All-day menu including food and snacks

• Strong brand identity rooted in the Southeast

• Compact store design (800 sq. ft.) for quick service

• Italian-quality coffee served “at America’s pace”

• Proven and simple business model

• Comprehensive training for new owners

• Strong ongoing operational support

• Assistance with site selection and construction

• Recognized brand with strong consumer loyalty

• Scalable model suitable for multi-unit ownership

• Marketing support and brand fund resources

• Efficient build-out process and drive-thru operations

Expansion plans

Ellianos Coffee is expanding throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, the Carolinas and other Southeastern states.

Initial costs and fees

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Ellianos Coffee franchise ranges from $671,500 to $1,068,700. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Initial Franchise Fee: Ellianos Coffee charges a $30,000 initial franchise fee for each store, which is fully earned when paid and due no later than the signing of the franchise agreement.

If a candidate signs a multi-unit Development Agreement, a development fee of $10,000 per store is required upfront, and that amount is later credited toward the initial franchise fee as each store opens.

For franchisees opening an additional Ellianos store under the same ownership, the initial franchise fee is reduced to $15,000.

The brand also offers a VetFran discount, lowering the initial franchise fee by 20% — a savings of $6,000 — for qualifying U.S. veterans who own at least 25% of the business on their first Ellianos store.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Ellianos Coffee franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 22 franchised stores operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following net sales:

Ellianos provides in-person and on-site training that covers coffee preparation, equipment use, customer service, inventory management and daily operations. Franchisees attend corporate training and receive hands-on practice in a functioning store before opening their own.

Franchisees receive help with business planning, site selection, construction guidance, store setup, ongoing operational evaluations, marketing assistance and continued support from franchise business consultants.

The brand offers a modern POS system, an online franchisee portal for training and resources, reporting tools and support with new product rollouts. These tools help track sales, manage inventory and simplify operations.

• Liquid Assets: $150,000

• Net Worth: 500,000

Preferred experience includes some small-business management or operational background.

Owners must be actively involved in daily operations, especially during the ramp-up period. Semi-absentee ownership may be possible but is not explicitly stated. The model requires oversight of staff, food safety, customer service and drive-thru operations.

Ellianos may assist with business plan preparation and guidance on how to secure financing, but provides no details on direct lender partnerships.

The United States has a coffee culture built around speed and convenience, which has made it an ideal environment for quick-service coffee shops and drive-thru concepts to grow. With most Americans drinking coffee daily, the demand for accessible, high-quality options remains strong. In 2024, the U.

S. coffee and snack shop sector exceeded $68 billion in market size, supporting roughly 77,500 businesses and 900,000 employees nationwide. This steady consumer demand and large economic footprint show why the drive-thru category continues to expand and why brands like Ellianos Coffee are positioned well within the market.

Ellianos stands out in the crowded coffee landscape with its compact drive-thru model, a Southern brand identity that feels warm and familiar, real-ingredient recipes and a strong connection to the communities it serves. In most markets, the brand competes with established drive-thru players such as Dutch Bros, Scooter’s Coffee, BIGGBY COFFEE*, and Starbucks drive-thru locations, along with the many independent coffee huts that operate regionally.

1. Start the Conversation: Submit an online inquiry to connect with the franchise team, ask questions, and begin exploring whether Ellianos is the right fit.

2. Review the FDD: Read the Franchise Disclosure Document to understand the investment, requirements and support; most candidates review it with a legal advisor.

3. Get Approved and Begin Training: Move through the approval process and start training to learn daily operations, customer service, marketing and the full Ellianos system.

4. Location and Buildout: Work with the team to find an ideal site and complete the buildout, including layout, branding and the required permits and licenses.

5. Open Your Doors: Launch your Ellianos Coffee shop with corporate support and begin serving customers in your community.

6. Ongoing Support and Growth: Receive continuous operational, marketing, and training support to help your store grow and stay successful over time.

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