FREE Franchise Guide!
Franchise 500 2023
Franchise 500 Rank
N/R Not ranked last year
See the Full List
Initial investment
$396K - $590K
Units as of 2020
68 Decrease 17% over 3 years

After experiencing the art of coffee roasting earlier in their lives, brothers Ed and Dan Dunn moved to St. Paul, Minnesota to start their coffee shop. The Dunn brothers began with a mission to roast coffee in small batches, serve the freshest brew possible, provide a warming coffee experience, and put the community at the core of their business. 

Their dream came true in 1987 when the Dunn brothers opened Dunn Brothers Coffee, where they have implemented their mission every day in each Dunn Brothers Coffee Shop. Today, there are many Dunn Brothers Coffee shops located throughout the United States. Dunn Brothers Coffee is always looking to expand, potentially making it a solid option for an entrepreneur. 

Why You May Want to Start a Dunn Brothers Coffee Franchise

An ideal Dunn Brothers Coffee franchisee is hardworking, motivated, and customer service-oriented. Running a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise can be fun and rewarding due to its unique and proven business model. 

All Dunn Brothers Coffee franchises are expected to use single-origin coffee beans that are roasted fresh daily to show customers how their delicious cup of coffee came to be. If you decide to open a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise, you will learn how to roast coffee and take part in learning about and meeting the farmers in the countries where the beans are sourced.

Alongside fresh, quality coffee, Dunn Brothers Coffee shops provide in-house baked pastries, fresh salads, and made-to-order signature sandwiches. 

What Might Make a Dunn Brothers Coffee a Good Choice? 

Franchisees may also have the opportunity to get to know members of their community, as every Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise reflects the community in which it operates. The community is typically showcased in local artwork displayed on the walls. The shop could even become a venue for hosting community events, and partnerships with local businesses can help bring a sense of community and togetherness. 

As a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchisee, you will have access to a support system with decades of experience and expertise in running a coffee shop. You'll receive help in creating a comprehensive business plan as well as operations, leasing, construction, marketing, and franchising to make sure you are confident in operating your own Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise.  

How To Open a Dunn Brothers Coffee Franchise 

To be part of the Dunn Brothers Coffee team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements. 

Dunn Brothers Coffee has relationships with third-party lenders familiar with the company and can provide guidance and targeted information on how best to finance your location. These financial lenders may help qualified franchisees cover the costs of the franchise fee, startup, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and payroll.

A typical franchise agreement runs for ten years. At the conclusion of those ten years, franchisees may be allowed to renew their agreement for a sum if they meet the Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise requirements.

Before making any financial commitment or signing an agreement, you must perform your due diligence and establish if this is the right opportunity for you. As part of your due diligence, you may want to speak to existing franchisees and ask the Dunn Brothers Coffee franchising team questions. 

Find Your Perfect Franchise

Company Overview

About Dunn Brothers Coffee

Industry Food
Related Categories Coffee
Founded 1987
Leadership Kim Plahn, CEO
Corporate Address 2335 Hwy 36 W., #201
Roseville, MN 55113
Social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Business Overview

Franchising Since 1994 (30 years)
# of employees at HQ 12
Where seeking

This company is offering new franchises throughout the US.

# of Units 68 (as of 2020)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Information Circle
$37,500
Initial Investment Information Circle
$396,000 - $590,393
Net Worth Requirement Information Circle
$500,000
Cash Requirement Information Circle
$100,000
Veteran Incentives Information Circle
10% off franchise fee
Royalty Fee Information Circle
5%
Ad Royalty Fee Information Circle
3%
Term of Agreement Information Circle
10 years
Is franchise term renewable? Yes
Take Our Free Franchise Quiz!

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

Third Party Financing Dunn Brothers Coffee has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training 218 hours
Classroom Training 55 hours
Ongoing Support
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support
Ad Templates
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed? Yes
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Information Circle
No
Can this franchise be run part time? Information Circle
No
# of employees required to run 10-20
Are exclusive territories available? Information Circle
Yes
Take our quick quiz to find your ideal franchise

Franchise 500 Ranking History

Compare where Dunn Brothers Coffee landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.

Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.

Related Franchises

Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to Dunn Brothers Coffee.

Related Franchise Content

Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.

Franchise

Are Franchises in the Clear After the Expanded Joint Employer Rule Was Struck Down? Industry Experts Answer 2 Critical Questions About What's Next.

Despite franchise industry successes in Congress and federal court, the expanded Joint Employer Rule is not completely dead. The IFA will outline its current status in a webinar on April 23.

Franchise

'Fueled by a Hunger For New Challenges' — The 5 Types of Entrepreneurs You Want as Franchisees

Franchising is well known as a pathway to entrepreneurial success, offering individuals the opportunity to build their own business under the umbrella of an established brand.

Franchise

I Built a $1 Million Business While Overcoming a Disability — Here's How I Did It

When facing struggles and setbacks, dream big, embrace your true self, and disregard any limits others impose on you. Ultimately, what truly counts is the effort you put into achieving your goals.

Franchise

The Franchise Industry is on The Verge of Massive Change With Private Equity's Potential $8 Billion Acquisition of Jersey Mike's

Two iconic brands, Subway and Jersey Mike's, may sell to private equity after years of being closely held. Heavyweight PE firms are an increasing force within the franchising sector, marking a strategic shift and altering the industry landscape.

Franchise

3 Ways to Get on The Road to Franchising — And How to Find the Right Business For You

Although franchising contributes significantly to the US economy, most US business schools lack dedicated franchising curriculums. These three sources will help you get started and find out which franchise is right for you.

Franchise

Looking for a Spotless Investment Opportunity? Discover the Best Cleaning Franchises to Own in 2024.

From sparkling floors to polished windows, clean your way to success with the best cleaning franchises, according to the 2024 Franchise 500 Ranking.

See more franchise content
Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.
Updated: December 12th, 2022