Twenty-four years ago, four cousins–two sets of brothers–ventured into the coffee business with lofty goals to bring a great cup of coffee, along with a positive customer experience, to New England. Even then, they had a passion for positivity – and the Aroma Joe’s brand was born.
Aroma Joe’s is one of the nation’s leading handcrafted beverage franchises that features handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, unique flavor infusions, all-day food options, and their signature AJ’s RUSH® Energy Drinks that have resonated with a new generation seeking their daily energy in new and unique beverages.
What else makes Aroma Joe’s unique? The brand’s proprietary coffee blends are craft roasted and Rainforest Alliance Certified which means they are sustainably grown and ethically sourced. Aroma Joe’s, in conjunction with their coffee roaster, created their own Coffee Farmers Group comprised of over 40 family-owned and operated coffee farms in Honduras. Each farm is audited annually against rigorous standards with detailed environmental, social, and economic criteria that protect biodiversity, deliver financial benefits to farmers, and fosters a culture of respect for workers and local communities.
Additionally, Aroma Joe’s has built an environment where people could truly connect – even with a traditionally “impersonal” drive-thru experience. Each customer is greeted with a smile, not a speaker. All orders are taken in-person by a trained barista who can answer questions and recommend products. Because of this, the brand quickly became a beloved destination, especially for busy commuters.
Aroma Joe’s celebrated the opening of its milestone 100th location last year in Waterbury, CT. With only 16% of the approximately 4200 franchise brands in the U.S. having more than 100 locations, this was an important milestone. Aroma Joe’s goal remains to serve each customer a great product with care and enthusiasm and positively impact each community.
Aroma Joe’s now has 115 locations across the East Coast, from Maine to Florida, with ambitious growth plans as they develop and open new shops. Aroma Joe’s is actively expanding, and multi-unit franchise opportunities are available. Aroma Joe’s advantages include low franchise fee compared to other coffee business opportunities, varying build-out options, proven community engagement tactics and an ethos based on positively impacting people.
“Our current focus is on existing market growth given strong demand with additional expansion in new markets. Our growth roadmap includes strategically opening 500 shops along the East Coast in carefully curated areas with the right franchisees,” said Dave Tucci, Aroma Joe’s President & Chief Operating Officer.
“Aroma Joe’s success is due to our proven model of ongoing corporate support, expertise, innovation and ongoing training coupled with our amazing franchisees. To achieve our 500 shop goal, we are now opening up opportunities to new franchisees who share our values and passion.
Here’s what Aroma Joe’s looks for in a franchisee:
- Individuals interested in owning and operating a coffee shop franchise, and who are committed to investing their time and effort in running the business. If you have a passion for great coffee, energy drinks, and handcrafted beverages, Aroma Joe’s could be the perfect match for you!
- Aroma Joe’s provides a cost-effective franchise opportunity with an expected investment of at least $500,588, including a $25,000 franchise fee.
- If you are an active member of the United States military or a veteran with an honorable discharge, the franchise fee is reduced to $12,500. Adequate capital for the initial growth stage is essential for any new business.
- This business opportunity requires at least $200,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of $350,000.
- Aroma Joe’s Coffee is offering franchise opportunities for coffee shops in Maine, New Hampshire,
- Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. If your state is not listed and you are interested, you can still explore the possibility of arranging an opportunity.
- Aroma Joe’s training initiatives and continuous assistance are tailored for both seasoned entrepreneurs and potential investors with no prior experience.
For franchisees who are determining what type of business to get into… why coffee? The U.S. coffee shop market is projected for steady growth throughout 2024, exceeding 41,300 outlets by year’s end. This trend is expected to continue, reaching an estimated 45,200 coffee shops by September 2028. Aroma Joe’s focuses on the U.S. consumer’s desire for specialty coffee. With a projected market size exceeding $52.4 billion in the next 12 months, Aroma Joe’s positions franchisees to capitalize on this trend. And cold brew continues its reign, with a reported 8 percent increase in daily consumption by U.S. coffee shop patrons. Aroma Joe’s offers a variety of delicious cold brew and energy drink options that have gained a cult-like reputation. (Data from World Coffee Portal and Toast POS.)
Due to the ongoing and heightened brand interest, franchise development leader Erica Tarnowski was recently hired to help take Aroma Joe’s into their next phase of strategic growth. “Joining a brand with such strong momentum built by a passionate, caring team of people driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence has been incredible.
I’m excited about the opportunity to capitalize on this momentum while continuing to grow intentionally and sustainably with the right franchisees, in the right markets, at the right time.” “The future is bright at Aroma Joe’s and I am so excited to help our next franchisees join us on this exciting journey,” said Tarnowski.
For more information, please visit: www.aromajoes.com or follow us on our socials: aromajoescoffee
As the Director of Franchise Development for Aroma Joe’s, Erica will play a pivotal role in helping expand the brand’s footprint through strategic franchise partnerships in new and existing markets.