How much does a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise cost?

The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $448,600–$728,400, including a $30,000 initial franchise fee.

Is a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise worth it?

It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Dunn Brothers Coffee scores B on disclosure honesty, carries about 9% of sales in ongoing fees. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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The real numbers on owning a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise

Coffee Shop Franchise · FDD 2026 · from public state filings

BDisclosure honesty

This franchisor discloses earnings (Item 19) — but read how.

★★★★☆ FranchiseValidate transparency rating: 4/5

Investment

$448,600–$728,400

Total fees

9% of sales

Outlets

Closure signals

0 ceased, 1 terminated

Lawsuits

Is Dunn Brothers Coffee worth it? How it compares to 24 similar franchises

Ongoing fees	9% of sales	about average
Startup cost	from $448,600	pricier than 65% of peers
Disclosure honesty	Grade B	more honest than 84% of coffee & donuts franchises
Closure rate	0.0% of outlets	better than most (median 7.5%)
Disclosed lawsuits	0	fewer than most

Benchmarked against every coffee & donuts franchise we've graded from public FDDs — the context the franchisor's pitch never gives you.

What their own earnings claim actually says

2025 gross sales data for 26 drive-thru shops: average $571,901 (range $229,928–$1,104,217). Excluded 13 shops (1 new, 12 no drive-thru). 46% met/exceeded average.

Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)

2025: 5 net closures. 3-year trend: 18 franchised closures. Significant attrition.

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The franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. We do — reconstructed from their own FDD.

Franchisor's framing: 2025 gross sales data for 26 drive-thru shops: average $571,901 (range $229,928–$1,104,217). Ex…

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Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise — frequently asked

How much does a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise cost?: The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $448,600–$728,400, including a $30,000 initial franchise fee.
How much do Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise owners make?: 2025 gross sales data for 26 drive-thru shops: average $571,901 (range $229,928–$1,104,217). Excluded 13 shops (1 new, 12 no drive-thru). 46% met/exceeded average. We grade this disclosure B for honesty.
What is the Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise failure rate?: 2025: 5 net closures. 3-year trend: 18 franchised closures. Significant attrition.
Is a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise worth it?: It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Dunn Brothers Coffee scores B on disclosure honesty, carries about 9% of sales in ongoing fees. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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Compare Dunn Brothers Coffee to similar franchises

DunkinB Scooter's CoffeeA PJ's CoffeeB Tim HortonsF

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Source: WI DFI Franchise Registration (2026). FranchiseValidate is independent and not affiliated with Dunn Brothers Coffee or its franchisor. Figures are extracted from the franchisor's own public disclosure document; verify against the current FDD before any decision.