Starbucks Franchise Cost: Startup & Ongoing Costs

You cannot buy a Starbucks franchise. In the United States and Canada the company either operates its stores directly or licenses them to approved partners. There is no franchise fee and no franchise disclosure document, which is why the usual franchise cost tables do not exist for this brand.

A licensed store is a Starbucks-branded location inside a venue the licensee already controls, such as an airport terminal, a hospital, a university, or a grocery store. Most licensees are large institutions rather than individual entrepreneurs. The cost range above comes from VettedBiz and was checked on Oct 13, 2026. It is an outside estimate for a licensed store, not a price list from Starbucks, and the figures vary a lot from source to source.

In a franchise, you buy the right to run a business under a brand's system and you own the operation. A Starbucks license works differently. The licensee operates inside a space it already holds, while Starbucks keeps tight control over the menu, suppliers, training, and brand standards. Because Starbucks files no franchise disclosure document, there is no standard cost breakdown to check.

Estimates break the investment into a license or project fee, construction, equipment, and other opening costs.

The line items come from different sources and describe different store formats, so they will not add up to a single total. A compact kiosk in an airport or grocery store costs far less to build than a stand-alone store with a drive-through. Starbucks does not publish a fixed license fee, and sources describe it as negotiated or as varying by location type.

Reports say licensees generally need experience operating multiple foodservice locations, access to non-traditional real estate, and substantial financial resources. One source lists a liquid asset requirement, shown in the table above. These are third-party descriptions of the program. If you think your organization might qualify, contact Starbucks directly and confirm the current requirements.

Without a franchise disclosure document, every figure is an outside estimate.

One source reports a very wide span that covers kiosks and larger stores. Another reports a much narrower range and a lower total, which may mean it describes smaller formats. The third reports a higher floor, which may mean it counts larger stand-alone locations. Whether land, lease, and working capital are counted also changes the total.

If you want to own a coffee business, these brands do sell franchises to individual investors. The ranges are total initial investment from each brand's franchise disclosure document, as reported by VettedBiz.

These brands vary in size and format. Drive-through kiosks cost less to build than full cafes. Read each disclosure document's Item 7 for the full breakdown.

• Confirm whether the brand actually sells franchises or licenses, and in which markets.
• Read the franchise disclosure document in full when one exists.
• Compare the total investment with your available cash, including working capital.
• Speak with current owners about sales and staffing.
• Ask a franchise attorney to review the agreement and a licensed accountant to review your projections.

• Format. A kiosk, a drive-through, and a full cafe have very different build costs.
• Location. Airports and hospitals have their own construction and access rules.
• Equipment. Espresso machines, brewers, and refrigeration are a major cost.
• Size of the space. Larger footprints raise construction costs.
• Timeline. Delays add rent and carrying costs.