Beans & Brews Coffee House

Beans & Brews Coffee House began in 1993 when brothers Jeff and Kevin Laramie opened the first shop near Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company developed its High Altitude Roasting trademark process around the idea that high altitude produces a smoother, less bitter coffee profile. Franchising began in 2004, and the first franchise location opened by 2006. The brand celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023 and operates only in the United States. As of late 2025 and early 2026, it had more than 89 locations across seven states and another 112 locations in active development, a pipeline representing more than 125% expansion of the current footprint. The company is headquartered at 8619 S. Sandy Pkwy., Suite 110, Sandy, Utah 84070, and its parent entity is Beans & Brews Franchise Co. LLC. The concept is rooted in community coffee houses, with growth across the Mountain West and beyond. This overview relies on independently verified franchise disclosure data, public filings, and reported corporate communications rather than the brand's marketing materials.

Specialty coffee, defined by premium roasting, quality sourcing, and experiential consumption, is the fastest growing portion of that market and has expanded at a compound annual growth rate ahead of broader foodservice. About 66% of Americans drink coffee every day, a pattern that has remained stable through economic cycles. Since 2020, remote work has increased local coffee visits among suburban and exurban consumers, including markets where Beans & Brews locations are concentrated. Outside the two leading national players, specialty coffee remains fragmented, giving regional brands with strong identities and loyal customers room to build share. High altitude and single origin stories appeal to millennial and Gen Z consumers, who make up the largest specialty coffee spending segment and tend to remain loyal when they see authenticity. During periods of inflation, consumers have often continued trading up in small indulgences such as coffee.

The initial franchise fee for the first Beans & Brews location is $30,000. Established specialty coffee brands typically charge initial fees from $25,000 to $45,000. A second location carries a $25,000 fee, while each later location costs $20,000. Veterans receive a 15% discount on the initial franchise fee. Total investment ranges from $300,000 to $648,000, depending on the real estate format, geographic market, build out specifications, conversion opportunities, and local construction costs. The parent company, Beans & Brews Franchise Co. LLC, has structured its financial requirements to support SBA loan eligibility. The brand's 30 year operating history and footprint of more than 89 locations are relevant factors for investors considering debt financing. Buyers should assess the initial capital requirement alongside continuing fees, multi unit economics, and the cost basis of competing concepts with shorter histories or smaller development pipelines.

Beans & Brews operates as a community coffee house intended to encourage longer visits, neighborhood familiarity, and repeat business. Its High Altitude Roasting trademark process affects the supply chain, quality control, and barista training, rather than serving only as a marketing message. The labor model calls for skilled baristas, shift leaders, and store managers who can maintain product consistency and a welcoming setting. As of 2025, the leadership team included CEO Doug Willmarth, appointed October 1, 2024, Co Founder and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Laramie, Vice President of Marketing Carrie Mongold, Vice President of Operations Sara Anderson, Vice President of Franchise Development Kim Falk, Director of Franchise Operations Toni Fries Allen, and Vice President of Supply Chain and Culinary Chef Becca McIntyre, who joined in 2025. Support includes franchise operations directors, marketing programs, supply chain integration, and planning, design, and construction guidance led by Vice President Paul Spiers. Territory planning favors multi unit development agreements and defined geographic areas in growth markets. Training draws on nearly 20 years of franchise experience. Expansion into Texas, Nevada, Idaho, Missouri, and other states is intended to establish the brand in markets with less current penetration.

The brand opened 11 new locations in 2025 and reported achieving a 15% annual growth rate against target. Its 112 locations in development represent a pipeline more than 25% larger than the existing operating base. Prospective buyers should request franchisee contact information through the FDD and speak directly with current operators.

The 2022 Franchise Disclosure Document listed 40 U.S. franchise units and 65 total units established since the 1993 founding. By October 2024, the system had more than 80 units across four states. By June 2025, it had grown to more than 85 units across seven states, followed by more than 89 locations across seven states in late 2025 and early 2026. The brand opened 20 new Mountain West units in 2025 and early 2026 while achieving its 15% growth target. Under CEO Doug Willmarth, who took the role on October 1, 2024, the stated expansion plan includes deeper growth in Utah, entry into the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex and Houston in Texas, development in Nevada, and new state entry in Idaho and Missouri. Idaho plans include Bellevue, Twin Falls, and Jerome. In Missouri, the first location opened in Dardenne Prairie near St. Louis. The company is also recruiting franchisees in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Its differentiation comes from the High Altitude Roasting trademark process, 30 years of Mountain West history, and a community focused format built around repeat visits. Chef Becca McIntyre's 2025 appointment as Vice President of Supply Chain and Culinary reflects added attention to product development and supply chain performance as the system moves beyond 100 locations.

Beans & Brews seeks qualified investors with management experience, an interest in community building, and the capital to pursue multi unit development. Priority markets include Texas, specifically DFW and Houston, along with Nevada, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Investors may seek defined territories in these areas before competition for prime real estate increases. The fee schedule is $30,000 for the first unit, $25,000 for the second, and $20,000 for each later unit. Veterans receive a 15% discount on the initial fee. The community house model generally suits owner operators or multi unit owners who have experienced general managers, since a fully absentee structure may be difficult to reconcile with the neighborhood focused atmosphere. Opening timelines vary by market, format, and real estate conditions. Vice President Paul Spiers leads planning, design, and construction support. With a 30 year history, the system also has franchise resale opportunities for investors who build equity through multi unit development and later sell a portfolio.

For a buyer comparing specialty coffee franchises, Beans & Brews combines a 30 year history, a proprietary product process, and documented unit growth. The $300,000 to $648,000 investment range, multi unit fee structure, veteran discount, more than 89 current locations, 112 location development pipeline, and 15% growth rate achieved in 2025 are central items for review. The brand's Loan Activity Score is 57, rated Moderate in the PeerSense scoring framework. PeerSense provides franchise research that includes SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score analysis, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools for specialty coffee and nonalcoholic beverage concepts. Buyers can use that information with territory research and franchisee validation when evaluating the Beans & Brews Coffee House opportunity.