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Why The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Franchise Is a Top Investment Opportunity For 2026

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The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Opens Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Café as It Expands Airport Development Nationwide

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Meet with Multi-Unit Candidates at MUFC 2026

5 Reasons to Buy The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® Franchise

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The coffee industry is booming, expected to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/coffee-market">exceed $380 billion</a> in the U.S. by 2033. In the high-demand landscape,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coffeebean.com/pages/franchising">The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf</a>, the international coffee and tea franchise, stands out as a top investment opportunity, offering franchise owners a long runway for growth and a truly differentiated model in local markets.&nbsp;“Consumer demands in the beverage space are shifting, and we’re seeing guests gravitate toward brands and experiences that provide the local feel,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-vavra-8b60b82b">Peter Vavra</a>, director of franchise development. “People don’t want a rushed or impersonal feel. Efficiency and price are important considerations, but&nbsp;<a href="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/consumer-coffee-preferences?srsltid=AfmBOopJFQC_LoLAX6vj_G0vrLCVKG500i1_m1XGRHmz5ZKEFVLh8E1l">for a majority of guests, taste and quality</a> are what make or break an experience.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf/info">The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf</a> delivers on these priorities, ensuring that beverages remain truly handcrafted, cafes have a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and each visit inspires the guest to keep coming back.”<h2>Prioritizing Innovation Without Sacrificing Authenticity</h2>The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf has established a healthy approach to innovation. Since its founding, the brand has been at the forefront of the industry. It invented the original ICE BLENDED® coffee drink and was an early leader in cold brew. While it continues to evolve, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf doesn’t make changes just for the sake of making changes. Rather, it looks at what people are truly demanding and proceeds accordingly — all without sacrificing the menu classics people have known and loved for decades.“In this industry, it’s crucial that we remain current, and our consistent innovation keeps the menu fresh,” said Vavra. “We have a dedicated research and development team that looks at new trends and seasonal demands to ensure we’re delivering the coffee and tea experiences guests seek, but these updates are never made at the cost of proven favorites.”In addition to menu innovation, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf’s baseline commitment to quality keeps it a top choice among guests. At the café level, the brand doesn’t just rely on pre-made sauces or syrups; it handcrafts not just the beverages themselves but the ingredients and customizations that go into them, too. For quality-focused consumers, this is a major differentiator, and it supports local owners in capturing discerning guests and maintaining the quality-first image The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf is known for.<h2>Support and Stability With Long-Term Scalability</h2>As part of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeegroup.com/">Jollibee Foods Corporation</a> and with over 60 years of history, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf has successfully built strong, replicable processes that support resilience, even in shifting economic conditions.&nbsp;“Over six decades, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf has navigated a range of business landscapes,” Vavra said. “As the brand has grown and evolved from these experiences, the team has also developed and steadily improved the farm-to-cup supply chain and operations playbook, applying real learnings gleaned from real, café-level experiences to ensure all of the resources in place reflect and support the realities and demands of franchise ownership.”This stability creates a strong baseline for prospective franchisees, and it’s paired with a level of long-term growth potential that can be hard to find with established brands like The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf.“We have a strong presence in California, but there is substantial growth opportunity across the country,” Vavra said. “As we continue expanding, franchisees who join the system now will be able to secure prime markets in their areas and be a crucial part of The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf’s national growth story.”<h2>High Performance in a Flexible Model</h2>Over its 60 years, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf has demonstrated remarkable stability, and many cafes generate strong top-line sales. The brand’s ability to adapt and cater to the communities it serves has been a key driver of this success, and this flexibility extends to its real estate model.In addition to more traditional café locations, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf embraces flexible build-out options, including those with smaller footprints and in non-traditional and captive spaces, like universities, airports and medical facilities.“As we look toward our upcoming growth across the U.S., there is a prime opportunity for franchisees to bring The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf to their communities, and to do so in the context that makes the most sense for their specific markets,” Vavra said. “By maintaining flexibility in the prototype, we ensure owners can make the smartest investment decision for their area and develop a café guests actually want to visit, ultimately driving steady volume for long-term success.”Investing in The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf in 2026 is an opportunity to leverage a rare balance of heritage and untapped potential in a multi-billion-dollar market. For the entrepreneur looking to move beyond an impersonal, lower-quality coffee and tea concept, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf is an ideal platform to secure prime territory and deliver a quality, handcrafted product that resonates with today’s guests and powers long-term success.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf">https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf</a>.

The specialty coffee and tea franchise delivers an experience-focused, culture-forward opportunity with long-term growth potential in the over-249 billion dollar U.S. coffee market.

For over 60 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coffeebean.com/pages/franchising">The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf</a> has cultivated gourmet cafe experiences and a loyal following that creates a bridge, allowing the brand to exist as both a neighborhood staple and a global icon. As the brand looks toward its next wave of expansion, the strategy isn’t about signing agreements just to increase unit count or establish a new café in a specific market. Rather, Director of Franchise Development&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-vavra-8b60b82b">Peter Vavra</a> is focused on a people-first philosophy, betting on high-caliber, experienced area developers.<h2>Quality Over Quantity: The Multi-Unit Philosophy</h2>The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf has moved away from single-unit franchise deals in favor of robust area development agreements. It’s an intentional shift that positions the leadership team to focus on developers who are capable of and excited about scaling. With this strategy, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf also ensures growth is sustainable, not sporadic. And it takes the right partner to develop with the system.“We have franchisees in our system that have been with the brand for more than 20 years, operators who were there at the beginning of our franchise expansion and played a vital role in introducing the brand to new markets,” Vavra said. “Now we're looking for the next era of franchise operators who have the stamina to take the brand into the next 20 years and grow with us in new key markets.”<h2>The Ideal Candidate for The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf</h2>While passion is a strong foundation, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf is also interested in business-savvy investors. The right person is someone who brings a sophisticated operational lens to the table. Ideally, these are investors with previous multi-unit operating experience and a background in the food and beverage or hospitality industries.For the right talent, Vavra says the brand is also willing to be flexible. There are Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf franchisees who didn’t start in the hospitality space but, with the right advisors and operations team on board, are able to succeed. Having the drive and strategic vision to build the right teams for the business model is a key variable for franchisees’ success.<h2>A Relationship-Driven, Values-First Model</h2>As it grows, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf is also focused on identifying franchisees who align with its FROTH culture, which celebrates friendliness, respect, ownership, teamwork and honesty.&nbsp;While The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf has strong growth potential, the franchise system is still reasonably sized, and the corporate support team maintains a strong relationship with each individual franchisee.“We take the time to review all our decisions and put a franchise lens on everything we do,” Vavra said. “We’re invested in their success, and we see each owner as an individual — not as a number.”This boutique approach to support is only possible because of selective growth that protects culture both among franchisees and between the franchisees and franchisor. By prioritizing developers who value responsiveness and collaboration, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf supports a network that avoids the frictions found in less personal models.As The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf expands, the team is focused on a measured approach. Over the next year, Vavra said he aims to award a number of multi-unit franchise deals to entrepreneurs who truly align with the brand, its values and its long-term growth trajectory.“The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf has been around for over 60 years, and it’s been a great 60 years,” Vavra said. “We’ve successfully built a culture and atmosphere that people love and want to be a part of. Prioritizing the right franchisee’s as we grow will ensure that our culture is protected and our next 60 years are just as positive for people throughout all levels of our system.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf">https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf</a>.

Photo of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf iced and hot beverage

As the coffee and tea brand is relaunching development, the team is prioritizing experienced and driven franchisees who want to scale the brand in untapped markets.

Why The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Franchising Strategy Prioritizes Healthy Growth with the Right Franchisees

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<a href="https://www.coffeebean.com/pages/franchising">The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf</a> has added a new airport café at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport as it continues to expand into airports and other nontraditional spaces nationwide. Since opening in Terminal D in November 2025, the café has seen an encouraging response from both existing fans of the brand and new guests.“This location has done very well. Terminal D is international, so it’s visible to people from all over the country and beyond,” said Macy Farr, project manager at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.starcons.com/">Star Concessions</a>, the group that operates the DFW café. “The performance is particularly notable because we’re close to two other coffee concepts, and I think one of the reasons we’ve done so well is because it’s a beautiful, well-lit space. It’s almost a spectacle. It’s maintained strong traffic, especially in the mornings.”<img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1778692629_image.jpeg">Inside the new DFW caféAirport travelers are already seeking coffee, tea and quick bites, but bringing&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf/info">The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf</a> to DFW was even more impactful due to the brand’s unique market position.“People on the West Coast love Coffee Bean, and they’re excited to see it elsewhere,” Farr said. “But for a guest who has never had it before, it’s a fun novelty to try as part of the travel experience.”The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf has consistently prioritized nontraditional spaces for growth, giving local operators more real estate flexibility while expanding into places where guests are already looking for convenient food and beverage options. In airports, cafés are visible both to international travelers who already love the brand and new guests who turn into fans after experiencing the quality authenticity of the Coffee Bean experience.<a href="https://www.bambuzagroup.com/">Bambuza Hospitality Group</a> has operated Coffee Bean locations in the Santa Ana and Salt Lake City airports for years, giving a good sense of what airport growth can look like when an operator stays closely aligned with the brand.“We’re strong airport operators who believe in providing what our partners need and being a great fit,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-miner-frank">Erin Frank</a>, director of brand growth and communications for Bambuza. “In some airports, it’s very important that we have a locally recognized brand that people are familiar with. For airports in larger hubs for multi-regional and international travelers, you don’t have to rely as much on people being familiar with the brand. In fact, it can be a real treat for people who have moved for life or work to see a beloved brand in a new area. It’s like a familiar face at the airport.”Bambuza’s airport operations recently earned national recognition. At the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.airportxnews.com/axc-awards/">Airport Experience Conference</a>, the company won Best Local Concessions Management Team in the medium/small airports category for its work at John Wayne Airport in Orange County.From strong early traffic at DFW to national recognition for longstanding operators, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf consistently sees strong performance in airport locations.&nbsp;To build on this momentum, the brand is focused on continued expansion in airports, targeting multiple RFP’s in the&nbsp;next three years across the country.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf/info.">https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf/info.</a>&nbsp;

Photo of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf airport cafe

Strong performance at DFW and recent industry recognition for a California operator are reinforcing the premium coffee and tea franchise’s push into high-visibility, nontraditional locations.

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<a href="https://www.coffeebean.com/pages/franchising">The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf</a> will exhibit at the 2026 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference in Las Vegas, March 24-27, showcasing its premium coffee and tea model and 60-year heritage. With a loyal fan base, institutional backing and a steady growth trajectory in the U.S.,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf/info">The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf</a> is uniquely positioned to appeal to high-performing multi-unit owners.“The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf has stayed strong because people keep coming back to the brand — and because we’ve been deliberate about where we grow and who we grow with,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-vavra-8b60b82b">Peter Vavra</a>, director of franchise development. “MUFC is a great place to show how our 60-year heritage supports a model that can scale, especially for multi-unit owners looking to build in high-growth markets.”<h2>The Potential for Growth With The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf</h2>While many legacy brands have reached saturation in prime markets, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf still has whitespace available for seasoned operators to build out entire regions. Its expansion strategy, which prioritizes operational excellence and the protection of its 60-year legacy, has supported a healthy franchise system with thriving cafés in a range of models, including drive-thru, inline and non-traditional locations.Currently, the brand has cafe development in&nbsp;New Mexico and Central California, as well as thoughtful expansion in non-traditional spaces.“What makes this a special moment for developers is the sheer amount of whitespace available for a brand with this level of global recognition,” Vavra said. “Multi-unit operators who join The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf at this stage have an opportunity to anchor a premium coffee and tea presence in their markets and lead growth in key territories.”The brand’s presence at MUFC 2026 follows a strategic push to identify high-potential growth markets where demand for specialty café experiences is growing. With sophisticated market mapping and demographic analysis, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf has pinpointed top development markets and can provide future developers with a clear roadmap for café density and long-term scalability across new locations.<h2>A Culture Built for Operators</h2>The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf’s success is largely driven by its FROTH values — friendliness, respect, ownership, teamwork and honesty — which extend to the franchisor-franchisee relationship. With these at the heart of the growth plan, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf maintains open lines of communication and supports multi-unit owners with the resources, training and executive support necessary to successfully launch and operate multiple cafés throughout their markets.“As we continue to prioritize growth with entrepreneurs who are aligned with our culture and vision, we’re looking forward to meeting with potential developers at MUFC to discuss the opportunity and learn more about them and their markets,” Vavra said.To learn more about available territories and The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf’s development roadmap, visit the team at&nbsp;booth&nbsp;#1934 at MUFC. To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf/info">https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf/info</a>.&nbsp;

Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Booth 1934

With prime territories still available and a strong global reputation, the specialty coffee and tea leader offers a rare whitespace opportunity for multi-unit developers.