FRANCHISE RESALES

Two Bad Ass Coffee cups—one iced, one hot—sit before a crashing ocean wave and green hills, capturing the bold spirit of Hawaiian coffee.

Buy a Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii Franchise

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is a specialty coffee franchise built around 100% Hawaiian coffees, including 100% Kona, often called the “King of Hawaiian Coffee.” Founded on the Big Island in 1989 and franchising since 1995, the brand pairs island-sourced single-origin coffees and blends with espresso drinks, teas, food and branded merchandise, all carried by a laid-back “Aloha Spirit” identity.

Stores operate as brick-and-mortar cafes, including drive-thru formats, serving local daily-coffee customers alongside merchandise and gift buyers. The brand is owned by Royal Aloha Franchise Company, LLC and run from a corporate office in Centennial, Colorado. A new-ownership investment in late 2019 reset the system toward multi-unit development and franchise growth across the mainland US.

Bad Ass Coffee sits at the premium end of the category, leaning on long-standing relationships with multi-generational Hawaiian coffee farmers and an irreverent brand voice that stands apart from mainstream cafe chains. Franchising is structured around multi-unit territory development rather than single-store ownership.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii resales available

Why buy a Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii Franchise?

A Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii franchise offers a differentiated position in a crowded coffee market: authentic Hawaiian sourcing, a recognisable irreverent brand and a premium product story few competitors can match. In a specialty coffee category that has stayed resilient through economic cycles, that distinctiveness can help a cafe stand out locally.

Owners gain an established operating system, brand marketing and a centralised supply chain. Royal Aloha Enterprises, a brand affiliate, sources premium Hawaiian coffee and key supplies for franchisees and provides ordering analysis, giving stores a one-stop purchasing relationship. The model is built for multi-unit development, suiting operators who want to grow a territory rather than run a single location.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1989

    • Franchising Since

      1995

    • New Startup Cost

      $526,100 – $992,400

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details
    Three bags of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii—Volcanic Roast, 100% Kona Peaberry, and Hawaiian Blend—showcase premium Hawaiian coffee on sand with the sea in the background.

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $100,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $10,000

      plus $2,500 per undeveloped franchise under Development Agreement

    • Royalty Fee

      5%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Net Sales

    Street view of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii shop with glass doors, a brick exterior, and a sign featuring a donkey logo above the entrance—perfect spot to enjoy authentic Hawaiian coffee.

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      33

    • New Units Opened *

      3

    • Units Transferred *

      2

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $665,300

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD
    Three Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii drinks—an iced blended beverage, a hot Hawaiian coffee in a paper cup with lid, and an iced coffee—sit on a wooden surface against a blurred background.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Initial franchisee training runs four to five weeks at a brand training store, covering coffee education, operations and merchandising, with a tune-up using the store's own equipment. Ongoing support runs from the corporate office in Centennial, Colorado, and includes marketing consultation and centralised purchasing through affiliate Royal Aloha Enterprises for Hawaiian coffee and supplies. Staff training is supported on the Wisetail platform, and franchisees gather at an annual convention with multiple education tracks. Resale buyers should confirm what onboarding and system access the franchisor provides to incoming owners.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Bad Ass Coffee suits hands-on, community-minded operators comfortable running a retail cafe: managing and motivating hourly staff, delivering consistent service and driving local marketing. Prior food-service or retail experience helps but is not essential, as the franchisor provides operational training. Because the brand is built around multi-unit territory development, it particularly fits owners who want to build and oversee several locations, are comfortable working to brand-led standards, and can bring energy to the playful "Aloha Spirit" customer experience.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii drew national attention during its post-2019 expansion, ranking on QSR magazine's 2023 40/40 List of America's hottest emerging fast-casual brands and earning a place on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing US companies. Its recognisable identity and 100% Hawaiian coffee positioning have supported steady multi-unit franchise growth and trade-press coverage. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the individual store's local reputation, including customer reviews, repeat business and community visibility.

  4. Industry / Market

    Bad Ass Coffee competes in the US specialty coffee market, which Grand View Research projects to grow about 9.5% a year to reach roughly $81.8 billion by 2030. Coffee remains a daily-habit purchase with strong repeat demand, and premium, experiential concepts continue to take share as consumers trade up. Cafe performance is highly local, shaped by foot traffic, daypart mix and morning routines, so resale buyers should weigh a specific store's location and trade area alongside category-wide tailwinds.

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