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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Dunn Brothers Coffee Franchise

Dunn Brothers Coffee is a Minneapolis-based specialty coffee franchise founded in 1987 on a single commitment: roast small batches in-store, daily, so no cup is ever served more than five days after roast. The brand sources single-origin green beans globally and employs a Certified Roaster Program to train the staff responsible for in-shop roasting at every location. The menu extends beyond coffee to fresh baked goods, handcrafted beverages, catering, and light food items, positioning each shop as a neighborhood destination.

The brand operates brick-and-mortar coffee shops and is developing a drive-thru-only format built for lower overhead, simplified staffing, and faster service. Each location is independently owned by a local franchisee, a structure central to the community-first identity that has shaped the brand since its founding.

Dunn Brothers Coffee is owned by Gala Capital Partners, a private equity firm that acquired the brand in 2022 and also owns Cicis Pizza and MOOYAH. Its shared services model gives Dunn Brothers franchisees access to centralized marketing, supply chain, training, and technology resources across the portfolio.

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Why buy a Dunn Brothers Coffee Franchise?

The in-store roasting model is Dunn Brothers Coffee’s clearest differentiator in a competitive specialty coffee market. While most coffee chains source pre-roasted beans from central facilities, every Dunn Brothers location runs its own small-batch roasting daily, producing coffee served within five days of roast. For buyers considering whether to buy a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise, this model also means the unit carries operational depth: trained, certified roasters are assets embedded in the business.

Franchise owners benefit from the Gala Capital Partners shared services infrastructure, which covers marketing, supply chain management, training, and technology integration across a multi-brand portfolio. Each location runs advanced POS systems, mobile ordering, and a branded loyalty app, providing established digital connections with local customers.

Dunn Brothers Coffee Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1987

    • Franchising Since

      1994

    • New Startup Cost

      $455,600 – $798,960

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $40,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      50%

      of then-current or last Initial Franchise Fee per Shop

    • Royalty Fee

      5%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      3%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      48

    • New Units Opened *

      1

    • Units Transferred *

      3

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $600,081

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Dunn Brothers Coffee – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Franchisees receive 20 hours of classroom training and 218 hours of on-the-job training, including a two-day orientation and two-week intensive at headquarters and on-site. The Certified Roaster Program trains staff in the in-shop small-batch roasting performed at every location. Ongoing support includes a dedicated Franchise Business Consultant, marketing guidance, and access to Gala Capital Partners' shared services covering technology, supply chain, and operations. Resale buyers should confirm with Dunn Brothers what training and system access transfers with an ownership change, including the certified roaster status of existing staff.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Dunn Brothers Coffee franchisee is operations-oriented and comfortable managing a staffed cafe environment where product quality depends on trained, skilled employees. Because every location runs its own in-shop roasting program, the owner needs to support and maintain a capable team (including certified roasters) rather than operating as a solo or lightly staffed model. Strong community engagement and customer relationship skills are important in a neighborhood coffee brand where repeat traffic and local loyalty drive revenue. Prior food service or retail management experience is beneficial, though not required.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Dunn Brothers Coffee was named to Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers & Shakers list in 2025, a recognition awarded to brands shaping the fast-casual segment through innovation, growth, and leadership. The brand has also earned a Minnesota's Best Readers Choice Silver Award (2025), reflecting strong local customer recognition in its home market. It has previously been listed among AllBusiness's AllStar Top 300 Franchises. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific unit's local reputation, customer reviews, and community visibility.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US specialty coffee market is projected to reach approximately $81.8 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 9.5% (Grand View Research). The National Coffee Association's 2025 data confirms US specialty coffee consumption at a 14-year high. Demand is supported by growing consumer preference for premium, craft-roasted coffee over commodity alternatives and by cafe culture expanding into suburban and commuter markets. For resale buyers, local competitive density and the strength of the specific unit's customer base are as important as category-level demand.

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