Costa Coffee

About Costa Coffee

Costa Coffee began as a London wholesale coffee business established by brothers Bruno and Sergio Costa in 1971. Acquired by Whitbread in 1995 and Coca-Cola in 2019, the Dunstable-headquartered brand now reports more than 3,800 stores worldwide, including over 2,700 in the UK, alongside more than 14,000 Costa Express machines. Its estate spans company-operated and franchised coffee shops, drive-thrus and concessions, while Costa Express and Proud to Serve bring its drinks into other venues. Recent initiatives include store refurbishments, digital ordering trials, expanded drive-thru hours and new partnerships with Sainsbury’s and Cineworld. In September 2026, Costa said approximately 40% of its estate was franchised and identified London, Scotland and drive-thrus as growth priorities. UK franchise relationships typically favour experienced, multi-site operators rather than individual owner-operators.

Why franchise with Costa Coffee

• ✓Partner with an established British coffee brand operating more than 3,800 stores worldwide.
• ✓Access multiple routes to market, including coffee shops, drive-thrus and concession locations.
• ✓Benefit from established supply chains, product innovation and national promotional activity.
• ✓Receive structured training covering barista skills, customer service and store operations.
• ✓Explore Costa Express and Proud to Serve partnerships for existing retail or catering premises.
• ✓Join a brand investing in store refurbishments and identifying further UK growth opportunities.

Investment breakdown

Minimum investment	£250,000
Franchise fee	£30,000
Management service fee	On request
Marketing contribution	On request
Agreement term	On request

What's expected of a franchisee

Property requirements

Costa Coffee operates high-street coffee shops, drive-thrus and concession formats, while Costa Express machines and Proud to Serve partnerships can fit existing retail or catering premises. Recent growth includes proposed stores inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets and Cineworld cinemas. London, Scotland and drive-thru sites have been identified as priorities. The supplied profile does not specify minimum floor areas, frontage, parking, extraction or standard lease terms for a franchise store.

Training and support

Costa Coffee provides initial franchise training in store operations, barista skills, customer service and business management, followed by continuing operational and marketing assistance. Partners can access established supply chains, promotional resources and regular product innovation. Proud to Serve also offers training, products, equipment and support materials to existing catering businesses. 

Operational requirements

Costa franchise partners must maintain the brand’s coffee, service and operational standards across their agreed format. Store operations involve staffing, barista preparation, customer service, stock management and financial oversight, supported by Costa’s supply chain and marketing resources. The estate includes shops, drive-thrus and concessions; Express and Proud to Serve follow different partnership models. Royalty and marketing contributions apply to store franchises, but exact rates are not supplied.

Experience required

Costa’s UK franchise approach generally focuses on established organisations capable of operating multiple sites, rather than first-time individual owner-operators. Suitable partners may already manage retail, hospitality, travel or concession estates. The supplied profile cites a £250,000 minimum personal contribution towards an £800,000 store start-up, but does not confirm that this creates an individual UK franchise route. Eligibility for Express and Proud to Serve should be assessed separately.

Territory availability