P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe
The total investment to open a P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe franchise ranges from $49,000 to $255,000. The initial franchise fee is $49,000.
What is the P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe franchise?
Becoming a franchise owner requires careful review of the brand, its market, and the capital involved. The U.S. full service restaurant sector exceeds $300 billion and is projected to grow 3.5% annually through 2028. Specialty coffee and tea cafes represent a submarket exceeding $45 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. Based in NEW ORLEANS, LA, P Js Coffee And Tea Cafe operates in this category with 25 total units, including 21 franchised locations and no company owned units. Its structure reflects a franchise focused approach and gives prospective operators the chance to consider a brand that has room to grow beyond its current footprint. Demand for specialty beverages and cafe experiences continues to be supported by consumer interest in quality, convenience, and an inviting setting. The category also benefits from demand for premium coffee and tea, creating a relevant market for buyers assessing this franchise opportunity.
The wider U.S. food service market exceeds $900 billion annually, with full service restaurants accounting for a significant share. Within that market, coffee and tea cafes are projected to grow at a 4.5% compound annual rate over the next five years and could exceed $60 billion by 2029. Consumers are showing greater interest in premium beverages, ethically sourced ingredients, expert preparation, distinctive flavors, and customized drinks. Cafes also serve as a third place, offering an environment apart from home and work where customers can meet, work, or spend time. Urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and social media influence continue to support aspirational consumption. Convenience remains significant through drive thru service, mobile ordering, and walk in cafes in accessible locations. The segment includes competition from independent cafes and established chains, so brand identity and consistent quality can affect customer retention. P Js Coffee And Tea Cafe focuses on quality and a distinct identity as it seeks to build its customer base in this market.
The initial franchise fee for P Js Coffee And Tea Cafe is $49,000. Comparable concepts in the full service restaurant and specialty beverage categories commonly charge franchise fees from $25,000 to $60,000. The total initial investment for a P Js Coffee And Tea Cafe location ranges from $49,000 to $255,000. That span may reflect different operating formats, including kiosks, inline units, and larger standalone cafes, each with different construction, equipment, and inventory needs. The lower amount may suit a more limited operation or a conversion, while the higher amount may include a broader build out, drive thru capability, or extensive seating in a prime location. Investment expenses can include leasehold improvements, espresso machines, grinders, blenders, refrigeration, point of sale systems, and opening inventory such as coffee beans, tea leaves, syrups, and other consumables. The range also covers legal and accounting services, initial marketing, grand opening expenses, and working capital for the first few months of operations. Specific ongoing fees are not publicly available in the provided information, so a buyer should review the franchise disclosure materials and confirm the full cost structure before proceeding.
Daily operations center on preparing coffee and tea beverages consistently across all 25 units, including the 21 franchised locations. The model requires baristas, ingredient inventory controls, equipment maintenance, and customer service that supports a welcoming third place atmosphere. Staffing generally includes baristas, a possible shift leader, and a manager, with headcount depending on the format and operating hours. The investment range from $49,000 to $255,000 indicates that the system may accommodate compact kiosks in high traffic areas, inline units in retail centers, and larger cafes intended for longer visits and community use. Corporate headquarters in NEW ORLEANS, LA supports each format. Training generally includes classroom instruction on brand standards, operating procedures, and products, followed by hands on training in a store. Franchisees and their managers can also receive continuing operational guidance, marketing assistance, supply chain support for premium ingredients, and technology support for point of sale and digital ordering systems. The brand typically establishes protected territories to limit internal competition. Specific multi unit requirements are not detailed, but the 21 franchised units indicate a model that may support successful single unit operators who want to add locations after developing operating experience and market knowledge.
Buyers must therefore rely on broader industry information for an initial financial review and request additional detail directly from the franchisor where available. The specialty coffee market is projected to grow at a 4.5% compound annual rate, which may help new establishments compete for market share. A prospective franchisee should model local demographics, projected sales based on similar concepts, and a detailed expense budget.
P Js Coffee And Tea Cafe has 25 total units, with 21 franchised locations and no company owned units. That distribution reflects a franchise driven expansion model and a corporate focus on its independent operators. The current unit count remains modest compared with larger systems, leaving development opportunities in many markets. Historical year over year net new unit data is not provided, but the existing franchised network offers a base for future expansion. Trends in specialty coffee and tea include menu innovation, digital convenience, and cafe environments designed to create an experience beyond the transaction. Headquartered in NEW ORLEANS, LA, P Js Coffee And Tea Cafe can draw on its New Orleans heritage and stated focus on quality as it develops. Its potential points of differentiation include premium product quality, an identity connected to its New Orleans origins, and a consistent customer experience that can encourage loyalty. Full service restaurant franchises are also adopting online ordering, mobile payment options, loyalty programs, and social media engagement. These tools can support customer communication and operating efficiency as the brand grows. A cafe format can be adapted to different footprints and locations, which may add flexibility as P Js Coffee And Tea Cafe develops within the full service restaurant category.
A suitable P Js Coffee And Tea Cafe franchisee would bring enthusiasm for high quality coffee and tea along with a strong customer service orientation. Community involvement also fits the goal of creating a local gathering place and supporting the third place concept. Specific liquid capital and net worth requirements are not publicly available. Candidates should be prepared for the initial investment range of $49,000 to $255,000 and should have financial stability and access to capital for a new full service restaurant venture. Since 21 of the 25 units are franchised, the brand appears to support operators who may want to develop more than one location. A single unit franchisee with strong operations and adherence to brand standards may be considered for additional locations. Territories would be evaluated based on specialty coffee and tea demand, demographics, foot traffic, and suitable real estate. The period from signing a franchise agreement to opening commonly ranges from three to six months, depending on site selection, lease negotiations, construction complexity, and local permits. The specific franchise agreement term is not available, though these agreements are generally structured as long term arrangements that give operators a framework for building the business over many years.
P Js Coffee And Tea Cafe is based in NEW ORLEANS, LA and operates 25 total units, including 21 franchised locations and no company owned units. Its $49,000 franchise fee and total initial investment range of $49,000 to $255,000 provide different entry points for formats that may include kiosks, inline units, and larger cafes. The brand operates in a specialty beverage segment that exceeds $45 billion and has a projected 4.2% compound annual growth rate, while the broader full service restaurant market exceeds $300 billion and is projected to grow 3.5% annually through 2028. The coffee and tea cafe segment is also projected to grow at a 4.5% compound annual rate over the next five years and could exceed $60 billion by 2029. The current unit count leaves room for development, while the franchise structure and support described in the system may suit an operator seeking a specialty coffee and tea business.
Loan Activity Score
21/100
SBA Default Rate
25.8%
Active Lenders
18
According to its Franchise Disclosure Document or public business records, P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe has 21 locations, all owned by franchisees. Public SBA loan records show 18 lenders made 31 loans to franchisees of P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe. PeerSense calculates P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe's score as 21 out of 100, using public SBA loan performance and recent lending activity.
21 locations
$49,000 to $255,000
$49,000
21
21 franchised
Proprietary PeerSense metric
LimitedDistinct lenders in public SBA records for P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe
31
Total SBA loans
$158K
Average loan size
Source: public SBA 7(a) and 504 loan records through December 31, 2025
Referral fee at closing
SBA Lending Activity for P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe
Loan Activity Score Breakdown
Established (25 to 99 loans)
Are lenders increasingly or decreasingly funding this brand? Growing trends score highest.
Blended default rate (recent + all time) compared to NAICS sector peers.
Quality lenders actively backing this brand, with penalty for lender pullback.
FDD availability, Item 19 disclosure, and overall data completeness.
Geographic spread of SBA funded locations across states.
SBA Lending Performance
SBA Default Rate
25.8%
vs 10.3% peer avg
SBA Loans
31
Total Volume
$4.9M
Active Lenders
18
1 selective
States
7
vs. SBA Sector Average
SBA loan default rate vs. all franchises in the same NAICS sector, not limited to direct competitors
Key Highlights
Franchise Financing Resources
Data Insights
Key performance metrics for P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe based on SBA lending data
SBA Default Rate
25.8%
15.5% above peer avg
SBA Loan Volume
31 loans
Across 18 lenders
Lender Diversity
18 lenders
Avg 1.7 loans per lender
Investment Tier
Mid range investment
$49,000 to $255,000 total
P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe: Deep SBA Data
Brand specific metrics derived directly from SBA 7(a) approval records: peak lending year, leading state, average loan size, and lender concentration. PeerSense computes these per brand so capital advisors and prospective franchisees can benchmark this opportunity against the rest of the franchise universe.
Peak SBA Year
2010
4 approvals. The best year on record for P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe.
Top SBA State
Louisiana
22 SBA financed P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe locations, the densest operator footprint.
Average Loan Size
$158K
Median $150K. Use as a sizing anchor when modeling your own P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe unit.
Lender Concentration
45.2%
Concentrated
Share of P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe approvals captured by the top 3 SBA lenders.
P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe's SBA lending pipeline peaked in 2010 (4 approvals). Operator density is highest in Louisiana with 22 SBA financed locations. Average funded ticket sits at $158K, with the median at $150K. Lender mix is concentrated: the top three SBA lenders account for 45.2% of approvals. Credit decisions concentrate with a small group of incumbents.
Payment Estimator
Estimated Monthly Payment
$507
Principal & Interest only
Indicative only, as of October 1, 2026. Not a quote, commitment or offer of credit. Final pricing, leverage and terms are determined by the lender at underwriting, after full transaction materials are reviewed. PeerSense sources the file. The lender sets pricing. What these terms mean.
Locations
P J's Coffee And Tea Cafe, unit breakdown
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Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
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