Looking for a drive thru coffee franchise? Drive-thru coffee is one of the fastest-growing parts of the franchise world, and several brands now sell franchises built around small stands with no seating. This guide compares the main options in 2026, 7 Brew, Scooter’s Coffee, Ziggi’s Coffee, The Human Bean and Biggby Coffee, by cost, fees and reported sales, and explains why you cannot buy a Dutch Bros franchise.
Quick answer
The cheapest drive thru coffee franchise to start is usually Biggby Coffee or a small Ziggi’s unit, from roughly $240,000 to $320,000. The Human Bean charges no royalty. 7 Brew costs the most, $940,500 to $2,283,500 per stand, but its stands report average sales of about $2.65 million a year, more than double the other brands. Dutch Bros does not sell new franchises.
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Table of Contents
What Is a Drive Thru Coffee Franchise?
A drive thru coffee franchise is a coffee business you buy the rights to run under an established brand, where most or all sales go through a drive-thru window instead of a seated café. Stands are small, often 500 to 1,000 square feet, and built for speed. You pay an upfront franchise fee and then ongoing royalties and marketing fees; in return you get the brand, the menu, the systems and training.
Formats differ. Some brands build a small stand on its own lot (7 Brew, Scooter’s kiosks, The Human Bean). Others also offer end-cap units in shopping centers or cafés with a drive-thru lane (Ziggi’s, Biggby, Scooter’s end caps). The format is the biggest reason costs vary so much.
Drive Thru Coffee Franchise Cost Compared (2026)
Here is how the main drive thru coffee franchise brands compare on cost. Figures come from each brand’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) as reported by franchise research sites; where sources disagree, we show a rounded range.
| Brand | Total investment | Franchise fee | Royalty | Marketing fund |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Brew | $940,500 – $2,283,500 | $35,000 | 4.5% – 7% (weekly tiers) | 2% |
| Scooter’s Coffee | About $660,000 – $1.35 million | $40,000 | 6% | Yes (about 2% reported) |
| Ziggi’s Coffee | About $316,000 – $2.09 million | $40,000 | 6% | 1% – 3% (sources differ) |
| The Human Bean | $562,390 – $1,290,931 | $30,000 | None | 1% |
| Biggby Coffee | About $242,000 – $973,000 | $20,000 | 6% | 3% – 6% (sources differ) |
| Dutch Bros | Not franchising | – | – | – |
The low end of each range is usually a small kiosk, end-cap or mobile unit on leased space. The high end is a freestanding building where you pay for site work and construction. Always check Item 7 of the latest FDD for the format you plan to open.
Which Drive-Thru Coffee Franchise Sells the Most?
Cost only tells half the story. Here are the average yearly sales per unit each brand reports in Item 19 of its FDD, as summarized by franchise research sites.
| Brand | Reported average sales per unit |
|---|---|
| 7 Brew | About $2.65 million (2026 FDD) |
| Scooter’s Coffee | About $970,000 |
| The Human Bean | About $840,000 – $880,000 |
| Ziggi’s Coffee | About $770,000 – $840,000 |
| Biggby Coffee | About $720,000 |
Sales are not profit. Rent, staff, supplies, royalties and loan payments all come out first, and a brand that costs twice as much to build also has bigger loan payments. Compare sales against the full investment, not on their own.
Best Drive Thru Coffee Franchises in 2026
7 Brew
7 Brew is the most expensive drive thru coffee franchise on this list and the one with the highest reported sales. Each stand is a purpose-built double drive-thru on its own lot, and the brand only sells development deals for at least five stands. It suits experienced, well-funded multi-unit operators. See our full 7 Brew coffee franchise cost guide for every fee.
Scooter’s Coffee
Scooter’s Coffee is one of the largest drive-thru coffee chains, with hundreds of small kiosks and end-cap stores, especially in the Midwest. It offers two main formats, a freestanding kiosk and an end-cap store, which puts it in the middle of the cost range.
Ziggi’s Coffee
Ziggi’s Coffee started in Colorado and offers the widest choice of formats: small drive-thru units, cafés with a drive-thru and mobile units. That is why its investment range is so wide, from a few hundred thousand dollars to about $2 million.
The Human Bean
The Human Bean is a drive-thru brand from Oregon known for charging no royalty, only a small brand fund contribution. It is strongest in the West and offers a protected radius around each location.
Biggby Coffee
Biggby Coffee from Michigan has the lowest franchise fee on this list. Many Biggby units are cafés rather than pure drive-thrus, so check which format is available in your area before you compare it with drive-thru-only brands.
Can You Franchise Dutch Bros?
No. Dutch Bros stopped selling new franchises in 2017 and now grows only through company-owned shops. Older franchise locations still exist, but you cannot buy a new Dutch Bros franchise. If you want a similar drive-thru model, the brands above are the main alternatives.
How to Choose a Drive Thru Coffee Franchise
- Budget. Start with what you can invest and borrow. A $300,000 budget and a $2 million budget lead to very different brands.
- Format. Decide between a freestanding stand, an end-cap unit or a café with a drive-thru. Land and building costs drive most of the difference.
- Single or multi-unit. Some brands, like 7 Brew, require multi-store deals. Others will sell you one unit.
- Ongoing fees. Add royalty and marketing fees together. A 0% royalty brand keeps more of each sale with you.
- Territory. Check whether the brand protects an area around your unit, and whether good sites are still open in your region.
- Sales vs cost. Compare Item 19 sales with the full Item 7 investment, and ask existing owners what their costs really were.
Pros and Cons of a Drive-Thru Coffee Franchise
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Small building and staff count | Land and site work can be expensive |
| Fast service and high car counts | Sales depend on traffic and location |
| Repeat daily customers | Royalties and fees come off every sale |
| Proven brand and systems | Less freedom to change menu or pricing |
| Training and opening support | Competition is growing in many towns |
FAQs: Drive Thru Coffee Franchise
How much does a drive thru coffee franchise cost?
Most drive thru coffee franchise brands cost about $250,000 to $1.35 million to open, depending on the format. 7 Brew is the most expensive at $940,500 to $2,283,500 per stand in its May 2026 FDD.
What is the cheapest drive thru coffee franchise?
Biggby Coffee and small Ziggi’s units have the lowest starting costs on this list, from roughly $240,000 to $320,000. Biggby also has the lowest franchise fee at $20,000.
Which coffee franchise has no royalty fee?
The Human Bean does not charge a royalty. Franchisees pay a 1% brand fund contribution instead.
Can I open a Dutch Bros franchise?
No. Dutch Bros stopped selling new franchises in 2017 and only opens company-owned shops.
Is a drive thru coffee franchise profitable?
It can be, but profit depends on sales, rent, staff and loan payments. Compare each brand’s Item 19 sales with its total investment and speak with current owners before you decide.
Is 7 Brew a good drive thru coffee franchise?
7 Brew reports the highest average sales on this list, about $2.65 million per stand, but it also costs the most and requires a five-store deal. It fits large, experienced operators better than first-time owners.
Final Thoughts
The right drive thru coffee franchise depends on your budget and how many units you want to run. Biggby and Ziggi’s offer lower entry costs, The Human Bean skips the royalty, Scooter’s sits in the middle, and 7 Brew asks for the biggest investment in return for the highest reported sales. Whichever brand you consider, get its latest FDD and review Items 7, 19 and 21 with an accountant.
More 7 Brew Guides
Sources
- 7 Brew May 2026 FDD investment — ResearchForSale FDD library; 7 Brew fees and sales — see our 7 Brew franchise cost guide
- Scooter’s Coffee — Sharpsheets and ClearValue Lending
- Ziggi’s Coffee — Franzy and FranchisePayback
- The Human Bean — Franzy and FranchisePayback
- Biggby Coffee — Franzy and FranchisePayback
- Dutch Bros franchising status — Franchise Investor Data
Checked 5 October 2026. Figures come from each brand’s FDD as reported by the sources above; we have not read every FDD ourselves, and sources sometimes report different FDD years. Costs change every year, so always use the latest FDD from the brand. This is general information, not financial advice. This website is an independent guide and is not connected with 7 Brew Coffee or any other brand named here.
