OUR BRAND HERITAGE
Born and brewed in Southern California since 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® is a PREMIUM global roaster and retailer of specialty coffee and tea beverages. Sixty years on, our values haven’t changed. “Find Your Flavor” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a commitment to our customers and the foundation upon which we operate. Our PREMIUM handcrafted beverages are made to order and customized to the guest’s preference. Our Team Members know how to listen and respond to each guest with a personalized beverage. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® offers one of the most extensive, sustainably sourced selections of coffee and tea from around the world.
60 YEARS IN THE MAKING
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® was born during a trip our founders Herb and Mona Hyman took to Europe. After enjoying outstanding coffee throughout Europe, the couple decided to bring the specialty coffeehouse concept to America. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® brand was established in 1963, opening the first café in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California which continues to operate to this day.
Over the next 35 years, the Hymans continued to grow the coffee business and share their passion throughout Southern California. Unique flavors and handcrafted beverages became the cornerstones of their business. They carefully roasted and blended the beans to suit their guests’ tastes. These personalized creations have been used in formulating some of our popular and enduring blends still offered in our cafés today.
NOW A WORLDWIDE SENSATION
Part of the Jollibee Group of Companies, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® runs its Americas business from our support center in Downtown Los Angeles with our global headquarters based in Asia. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® passionately operates in more than 1,200 locations, across 24 countries. Company-owned cafés are operated in California, Arizona, Singapore, and Malaysia. Our Americas franchised cafés span from coast to coast and includes locations in Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada, Utah, and Panama.
Internationally, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® franchised locations can be found in Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Iraqi Kurdistan, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Mongolia, Myanmar, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
Unique flavors and
handcrafted beverages
RETAIL FORMATS
Traditional
Traditional street side locations and shopping malls represent the majority of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® cafes worldwide. Our retail design offers a modern, contemporary look coupled with a highly efficient back-of-house configuration. Café footprints are tailored to meet with guest demand, in-market. These include Drive-thru formats that are Freestanding, Endcap or Drive-Thru/Walkup Only; Inline; Kiosks tailored to fit non-traditional venues; other innovative designs for unique settings.
Airports
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has over 40 airport locations around the world. We offer the traveler a premium specialty coffee and tea experience wherever they may be, and successfully operate both in-line and free-standing cafes in the airport and travel channels.
University Campuses
We have a growing number of locations on University Campuses. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® provides an environment for students and staff to work and socialize while enjoying our beverage and food offering.
Military Bases
On Military Bases, We are proud to serve members of the United States military and their families.
Store in Store
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® offers grocery shoppers Store in Store cafes and kiosks that provide our world class beverages as well as retail products available on grocery store shelves across the United States. For inquiries regarding wholesale distribution, please visit the For Business section of our website.
Hotels & Casinos
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® is also featured in some of the leading Hotel and Casino properties worldwide. Our scalable retail footprint allows us to deliver a premium Beverage and Food option for fine Hotel and Casino properties.
Franchise development is the key to connecting with local communities
FRANCHISE PROCESS
00 Pre-Application
- Submit Initial Franchise Inquiry via our website
- Introductory Call with Franchise Sales team member
- Provided Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
01 APPLICATION
- Complete the formal application
- Application is reviewed
- Complete background checks
02 INTERVIEW & EVALUATION
- CBTL meets with candidate for an in-depth interview
- Provide proof of assets
- Credit Check & initial financial review
03 DEVELOP BUSINESS PLAN
- CBTL determines scope and size of development agreement
- Candidate franchisee to conduct due diligence; talk to existing franchisees
- Develop detailed business plan
04 REVIEW OF BUSINESS PLAN
- Present and review business plan with franchise team
- Discovery Day with CBTL Team in California
- Review of capitalization
- Submit legal entity document
05 EXECUTE AGREEMENT
- If all criteria met, receive franchise
- Approval & sign Area Development Agreement (ADA) or Franchise Agreement
06 GRAND OPENING
- CBTL supports with site selection reviews
- Finalize lease and begin construction
- Complete team member training and open cafe
60 years of experience in the specialty coffee industry
SUPPORT
With 60 years of experience in the specialty coffee industry, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has built a strong and complete business infrastructure that offers extensive franchise support. We have an integrated supply chain with worldwide distribution capabilities, owning the process from seed to cup. Exclusive and proprietary recipes for beverages, pastries, and café meals are created by our product development team who ensures each item is crafted to our premium standards.
You will be supported by our talented Real Estate and Development Team, through the site selection, design and construction process. Our support team also includes a dedicated Franchise Business Consultant for day-to-day operations and ongoing support, backed by our franchise trainers and Learning & Development centers in Los Angeles, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
Our marketing team provides engaging collateral, resources, and guidance to increase brand visibility and help maintain the integrity of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf name while continuing to expand and strengthen the brand around the world.
TERRITORY AVAILABILITY
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf currently has over 1,200 locations in 24 countries. Available territories include the markets in the Americas, with select opportunities available in AZ, CA, NV. For information on all available territories, please file an inquiry application via the inquiry link on our website.
Still have questions?
We have answers.
FRANCHISING FAQ
Do you offer single unit franchises?
We do not offer single unit franchises in traditional formats. Non-traditional single unit opportunities may be available for qualified franchisees.
How do I know if the territory that I am interested in is available?
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf currently has over 1,200 locations in 24 countries. Available territories include the Americas and Canada, with select opportunities available in AZ, CA, NV. For information on other available territories, please inquire with an application through our website.
What franchise opportunities do you offer?
Our franchise system is a multi-unit operator model, otherwise known as an area development agreement. Specific territories are negotiated and determined during discussion between the franchisee candidate and CBTL. Agreements typically include a multiple unit commitment over a specified time period depending on geography and the size of the opportunity.
Are franchising opportunities available in California?
Select opportunities are available in California. Please submit an inquiry for additional information.
How many company-owned cafés does The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® have?
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® currently has nearly 400 company-owned units worldwide, including over 100 company-owned domestic units.
What is the average size of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® location?
This varies by market and location but typically ranges from 800-2000 square feet, with kiosks starting at 250 square feet.
What is the minimum net worth and liquid assets required?
Initial investment ranges from $550K - $1.43M depending on café site and concept. Franchisee candidates should have a net worth of at least $1M and $250K in liquidity per café based on the development agreement, along with access to a significant amount of capital. Please contact us for further information by filling out the Franchise Inquiry Form.
What experience should I have to open a franchise of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®?
We welcome the opportunity to work with individuals or groups that have a proven track record of successful multi-unit food or beverage operations. Market specific experience in retail real estate development, construction and site selection is very valuable.
What support will I receive as a franchisee of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®?
We provide support in all areas including, but not limited to training, café development and design, operations, marketing, and supply chain.