FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Caribou Coffee Development.
Based on 2025 FDD · 7 filings in corpus
Cost and profit at a glance
Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Caribou Coffee Development franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $279K – $1.4M. Reported owner economics show $140K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.
Quick fee read: $30K franchise fee · 7% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.
Caribou Coffee Development requires a total initial investment of $279K to $1.4M (midpoint approximately $854K), with an initial franchise fee of $30K. The ongoing fee burden is 7% (5% royalty plus 2% advertising fund). This is below the industry average of approximately 14.2%, leaving more margin for the operator.
According to Item 19 of the 2025 FDD, the median revenue for Caribou Coffee Development locations is $1.1M. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $140K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 16.4% with a payback period of approximately 6.1 years.
Caribou Coffee Development operates approximately 147 franchised units. The brand is growing, with a 3.4% net unit increase year-over-year, indicating franchisee demand and system health.
Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.
Analysis based on 2025 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology
Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.
Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.
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