Coffeehouses can be places to meet, work, exchange ideas or simply buy a drink on the way somewhere else. Their business models have changed alongside those uses. Understanding that history helps prospective owners separate the appeal of coffee culture from the practical choices involved in operating a cafe.
Coffeehouses as meeting places
New York’s Tontine Coffee-House offers a documented example of coffee and commerce sharing a space. According to the New-York Historical Society’s collection guide, merchants founded the Tontine Association in 1790. The building was constructed between 1792 and 1794 near Wall and Water Streets and housed the Merchants’ Exchange until 1825. Its later uses included a tavern, hotel and newspaper headquarters.
That history illustrates the variety of roles a coffeehouse could play. It does not establish a direct business lineage from early meeting houses to today’s franchise chains.
From coffee retail to the modern cafe
Starbucks provides a more recent example of a changing format. Its company history describes a 1971 Seattle store selling whole-bean coffee, tea and spices. Its history of store seating explains that stools and dining chairs arrived with its espresso bars in 1987. The customer experience expanded beyond purchasing beans for preparation at home.
For an owner evaluating a coffee business today, seating, counter service, drive-thru access and takeaway service are different operating decisions. A cafe designed for longer visits needs a different layout and service rhythm from one focused on quick pickup. Neither format is automatically more profitable.
Coffee chains do not all offer the same ownership opportunity
A familiar brand name does not mean an individual can purchase a franchise. Starbucks describes both company-operated and licensed coffeehouses. Its March 2026 explanation of its U.S. licensed business discusses settings such as hospitals, airports, hotels, grocery stores and campuses. Licensing should not be presented as an ordinary franchise offering available to every applicant.
Dutch Bros states in its franchising FAQ that it no longer offers the option to franchise. Its internal regional operator career path is distinct from buying a new franchise. For a closer look at these distinctions, read our Starbucks and Dutch Bros ownership comparison.
Choosing a coffee business format
Before comparing brands, define the customer occasion you want to serve: a morning commute, a neighborhood gathering, an office break or an event. Then examine how the proposed location and operating format support that use.
- A seated cafe: Evaluate usable seating, service flow, cleaning, staffing and the space needed for any food preparation.
- A drive-thru: Examine vehicle access, queuing, order accuracy and throughput alongside local site requirements.
- A kiosk or mobile concept: Check equipment capacity, storage, utilities, approved operating locations and the actual costs of the proposed format. A smaller footprint does not by itself prove lower total costs.
For brand-specific starting points, explore our profiles for Ziggi’s Coffee and Just Love Coffee Cafe. Compare each brand’s actual offering and available formats rather than assuming all coffee concepts operate alike.
Turning interest in coffee into an ownership decision
Build a location-specific budget that includes premises, equipment, staffing, supplies, marketing and working capital. Consider how opening hours, service speed and menu complexity fit the role you want to perform. Where a franchise is offered, use its current disclosure document and agreement to assess fees, support and operating obligations.
Coffee’s cultural appeal can provide a reason to explore the category. A decision to own a business requires a separate assessment of the particular brand, location and economics. Contact FranchiseTop40 to discuss coffee concepts that fit your goals.