It's A Grind Coffee House

Founded: 1995 Franchising since: 2000
Husband-and-wife team Marty Cox and Louise Montgomery opened the first It's A Grind coffee shop in Long Beach, California, in 1995. Locations feature a blues and jazz theme, and wingback chairs that allow customers to relax while enjoying whole bean coffees, espresso drinks, teas, pastries, muffins and bagels.

Address: 6272 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., #E Long Beach, California 90803

Phone: (562)594-5600

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 31 employee(s); 4 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2008	106	0	0	5
2007	106	0	0	5
2006	105	0	0	4

Where Seeking Franchisees
Nationwide

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Defined by number of units purchased

Special Programs
It's A Grind supports DARE, AIDS Walk of Greater Long Beach, the Long Beach Police Officers Association, Seal Beach Animal Shelter, Parents Against Cancer and other local organizations.

Total investment: $324,000 - $499,500
Franchise fee: $36,000
Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable


Express/kiosk option available

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	Yes
Startup Costs	No	Yes
Equipment	No	Yes
Inventory	No	Yes
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Third-party financing source(s): the SBA

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $450,000
Cash liquidity requirement: $125,000
Business Experience:

• General business experience
• Strong people skills

Operations

• 40% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 14 - 16
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 2 weeks
• At franchisee's location: 10 days
• Additional training as needed

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• Regional advertising

Other marketing support

• Franchisee Advertising Council

Franchise 500® rank:
#403 (2008); #427 (2007); #467 (2006);