Why This California Subway Franchisee Continues Reinvesting in The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

For experienced franchise operators, deciding to invest in one location is one thing. Continuing to reinvest in the same brand again and again is another. That is exactly the path Simranjit Sandhu and his business partner, Nirmal Gill, have chosen with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. While successfully operating Subway restaurants, gas stations, and their own pizza concept in Bakersfield, California, the duo has steadily expanded their portfolio and shows no signs of slowing down.

Today, they operate three cafés in Bakersfield, Fresno, and Pismo Beach, with three additional locations already in development and a long-term commitment to grow to 14 new cafés over the next five years.

"We love the brand and feel it resonates strongly in Southern California," Sandhu said. "The product offering is exceptional and appeals to such a broad audience. After opening our first cafés and seeing how guests respond, it became clear that this was a brand we wanted to continue growing."

Building on a Proven Foundation

Years of operating multiple concepts gave Sandhu and Gill a clear understanding of what separates a good franchise opportunity from one capable of multi-unit growth.

For them, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf offered something increasingly valuable in today's crowded beverage market: a recognizable legacy brand that still has significant room to expand.

"The coffee sector is exploding, and many competing brands have already saturated certain markets," Sandhu said. "We believe now is the time to invest because there is still tremendous opportunity for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to grow."

That opportunity is supported by broader consumer trends. Americans, for example, continue to spend more on premium coffee and specialty beverages, with guests increasingly seeking handcrafted drinks and neighborhood cafés. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has positioned itself around those preferences through premium coffee and tea, handcrafted beverages and more than 60 years of brand recognition.

Growth Backed by Strong Franchise Support

While market opportunity attracted Sandhu and Gill, the franchise support they've received is what convinced them to continue investing. 

"The real estate site selection process has been incredibly valuable," Sandhu said. "The ongoing connection with the support center also gives us confidence as we continue expanding."

That support becomes even more important as franchisees scale beyond a single location. Rather than simply helping owners open a café, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf works alongside franchisees as they build larger portfolios, providing guidance through site selection, development and operations.

"Our goal is to create long-term franchise operators, not simply sell franchises," said Peter Vavra, director of franchise development. "We work closely with owners throughout development and beyond because their success ultimately drives the success of the brand. As operators grow into multi-unit ownership, having consistent support systems becomes even more important."

A Brand Built for Long-Term Expansion

Sandhu believes The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's future remains especially bright because the company continues investing in innovation without losing sight of the quality that built its reputation.

"The coffee and tea market continues to grow, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf continues to be a great innovator," Sandhu said. "The leadership team has a clear vision for growth, and their support of franchisees has been exceptional."

While the menu continues to evolve with seasonal beverages and emerging consumer preferences, the brand remains committed to handcrafted preparation and premium ingredients.

"We're always looking at consumer trends, but innovation has to make sense for both our guests and our franchisees," Vavra said. "We want to keep the menu fresh while preserving the quality and authenticity that have defined The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for more than six decades."

Combined with flexible real estate formats ranging from traditional cafés to nontraditional locations, the model provides franchisees with multiple avenues for expansion across different markets.

More Than Financial Returns

Although Sandhu points to healthy unit economics as an important reason for continuing to invest, he says some of the greatest value comes from the relationships built within the franchise system.

"My favorite part is engaging with other franchisees and working alongside the franchise support team," Sandhu said. "The collaboration throughout the system has been outstanding, and the business performs well. It's a combination that's hard to find."

Those experiences have reinforced Sandhu and Gill's confidence in their aggressive development plans. With three additional cafés already moving through the pipeline for late 2026 and 2027 — and a commitment to develop 14 locations over the next five years — the partners are betting that The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf remains one of the strongest growth opportunities in specialty coffee.

"When you find a brand with exceptional products, strong leadership, outstanding franchise support and a growing market, you keep investing," he said. "That's exactly why we're continuing to build with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf."

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf.