Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Scooter’s Coffee is a drive-thru-only coffee brand built around speed, convenience and specialty beverages, designed to thrive in a wide range of real estate formats.
Scooter’s Coffee is a drive-thru coffee franchise focused on delivering high-quality specialty drinks with speed and consistency. The brand operates primarily through compact kiosk and endcap models, allowing it to succeed in urban, suburban and smaller markets while meeting growing consumer demand for convenient, on-the-go beverage options.
Scooter’s Coffee was founded in 1998 in Bellevue, Nebraska, by Linda and Don Eckles after the couple recognized an opportunity to combine coffeehouse-quality beverages with drive-thru convenience. What began as a single kiosk quickly resonated with customers, leading to steady expansion across Nebraska and eventually nationwide.
Since franchising began in the early 2000s, Scooter’s Coffee has grown into one of the largest drive-thru-only coffee systems in the U.S., with more than 850 locations operating across more than 25 states.
Mission: To create an amazing experience for every customer.
Vision: To deliver high-quality drinks and fast, friendly service through a scalable drive-thru model that fits modern lifestyles.
Scooter’s Coffee continues to expand in metro, suburban, tertiary and rural markets across the U.S. Available development areas are listed on the brand’s website, with opportunities in more than 20 growth states.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Scooter’s Coffee franchise ranges from $692,150 to $1,523,400. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Initial Opening Support Fee | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Site and Building Improvements | $299,550 | $974,350 |
| Architectural & Engineering Fees | $26,150 | $72,100 |
| Equipment, Fixtures & Furniture | $132,200 | $195,200 |
| Signs | $31,800 | $65,150 |
| Point-of-Sale System & Software | $11,950 | $14,050 |
| Deposits & Licenses | $4,650 | $17,750 |
| Initial Training (Travel & Living) | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| Opening Inventory, Supplies & Smallwares | $27,800 | $30,800 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $16,000 | $86,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for an individual Scooter’s Coffee location is $40,000, payable upon signing the franchise agreement.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Scooter’s Coffee franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 6% of net sales/week |
| National Marketing & Advertising Contribution | 2% of net sales/week |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 656 Scooter’s Coffee locations operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross sales:
| Type | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Kiosk (605) | $914,719 | $880,794 | $2,130,325 | $240,038 |
| End Cap (51) | $991,552 | $998,022 | $2,207,609 | $207,880 |
Franchisees receive assistance with site selection, real estate review, build-out guidance, permitting timelines and access to approved vendors prior to opening.
Scooter’s Coffee uses a modular training approach that includes in-store, online and in-person instruction. Training covers operations, barista skills, business management and brand immersion at the corporate headquarters.
Ongoing support includes access to a dedicated Field Operations consultant, marketing guidance, operational best practices and continued coaching throughout the life of the franchise.
Franchisees are supported with a branded POS system, integrated software tools and access to Scooter’s nationwide supply and purchasing network to streamline inventory management.
Franchisees must have a commitment to customer service and brand values, as well as a willingness to follow established systems and processes.
Scooter’s Coffee franchisees are expected to be actively involved in the business, particularly during the early stages. The streamlined drive-thru model allows for operational efficiency, and multi-unit ownership is common within the system.
Scooter’s Coffee maintains relationships with approved lenders and offers guidance on SBA and non-SBA financing options.
“We have our regional FBC that is there to support us. You can reach out to just about anybody in the company, if you want to, and they're more than glad to support you.”
– Chuck Gross, Franchisee — Adel, Iowa (Hear more from his story here)
“Everyone from the top leadership down to the operations people, our real estate folks, they all embrace the core values. So it's really important because without culture, it's really, really hard to run a business.”
– Alex Johnson, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Nevada (Hear more from his story here)
View more franchisee testimonials here.
The U.S. and global coffee shop market continues to show strong, sustained growth as coffee consumption becomes increasingly tied to daily routines, wellness preferences and lifestyle habits. In 2025, the coffee shops market reached an estimated $89.17 billion, reflecting steady demand across both urban and suburban markets. Industry projections show the sector growing to $123.43 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%.
Scooter’s Coffee differentiates itself through a drive-thru-only kiosk model designed for speed and real estate flexibility. Primary competitors include The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, BIGGBY® COFFEE, Dunkin’, Starbucks drive-thru locations and regional drive-thru coffee concepts.
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