Teaspoon
Franchising since 2015 · 15 locations
The total investment to open a Teaspoon franchise ranges from $25,000 - $451,000. The initial franchise fee is $45,000. Ongoing royalties are 5% plus a 2% advertising fee. Teaspoon currently operates 15 locations (15 franchised). The top SBA 7(a) lenders for Teaspoon are The Huntington National Bank, Evolve Bank and Trust and North State Bank. PeerSense FPI health score: 62/100.
$25,000 - $451,000
$45,000
15
15 franchised
Proprietary PeerSense metric
ModerateActive capital sources verified for Teaspoon financing
SBA
7(a) Eligible
21d
Avg Funding
P+2.25%
Best Rate
No retainers · Referral fee at closing
FPI Score Breakdown
Growing (10-24 loans)
SBA Lending Performance
SBA Default Rate
4.2%
1 of 24 loans charged off
SBA Loans
24
Total Volume
$5.8M
Active Lenders
7
States
3
Top SBA Lenders for Teaspoon
What is the Teaspoon franchise?
The modern investor seeking a robust franchise opportunity often grapples with a critical question: how to identify a brand poised for significant growth within a competitive market while offering a sustainable, scalable business model. This challenge is particularly acute in the vibrant, rapidly evolving food and beverage sector, where consumer tastes and market dynamics shift with increasing velocity. Prospective franchisees need a guiding light, a source of deep, data-driven insights to navigate the complexities and pinpoint an investment that aligns with their financial goals and operational aspirations. Teaspoon, positioned within the burgeoning Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars category, emerges as a compelling subject for such rigorous analysis, offering a distinctive proposition in a market hungry for innovation. Headquartered in Brea, CA, Teaspoon has meticulously crafted a brand identity centered on delivering unique, high-quality beverage experiences that transcend the ordinary. While the specific year of its founding is not publicly detailed, the brand's current scale speaks volumes about its journey and market acceptance. Teaspoon now operates a total of 16 units, with an impressive 15 of these being franchised locations, demonstrating a clear and successful commitment to a franchise-centric growth model. Crucially, the absence of company-owned units underscores the brand's confidence in its franchisees as the primary drivers of expansion and operational excellence. This structure allows the corporate team to focus squarely on franchisee support, innovation, and brand development, creating a symbiotic relationship that fuels collective success. Teaspoon's strategic placement within the snack and non-alcoholic beverage market taps into a massive total addressable market. The U.S. non-alcoholic beverage industry alone is a colossal enterprise, valued at over $200 billion annually, with the specialty beverage segment, including premium teas, unique concoctions, and refreshing fruit-based drinks, consistently outperforming traditional categories. This niche is currently experiencing a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%, driven by evolving consumer preferences for healthier, more customizable, and experiential drink options. Teaspoon is strategically positioned to capture a significant share of this expanding market by offering a differentiated menu that caters to these precise demands, ensuring its relevance and appeal in a crowded landscape. The brand's operational footprint, with 15 active locations already tracked within the PeerSense database, each boasting verifiable Google ratings, further validates its market presence and customer satisfaction, providing a tangible foundation for its ambitious growth trajectory.
The landscape of the Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars category is a dynamic ecosystem, characterized by significant growth and evolving consumer preferences, making it an increasingly attractive sector for franchise investment. The total addressable market for specialty non-alcoholic beverages in the United States alone is estimated to exceed $200 billion, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% through 2028, fueled by a confluence of powerful consumer trends. One primary driver is the pervasive demand for healthier and more natural options; consumers are increasingly scrutinizing ingredient lists, favoring beverages with fresh fruits, natural sweeteners, and functional benefits. This shift is clearly reflected in the market, where demand for premium teas, fresh juices, and customized fruit-based drinks has surged by 12% over the last three years. Another key trend is the desire for customization and personalization, with consumers actively seeking beverages that can be tailored to their specific tastes and dietary requirements. This preference has led to a 9% increase in menu innovation focused on build-your-own beverage concepts across the industry in the past year. Furthermore, the experiential aspect of consumption plays a significant role; consumers are looking for more than just a drink, they seek an enjoyable experience, a social hub, or a moment of indulgence. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger demographics, with millennials and Gen Z driving an estimated 15% of the growth in experiential food and beverage outlets. Secular tailwinds such as urbanization, increasing disposable income among target demographics, and the pervasive influence of social media in amplifying new food and beverage trends further propel the industry forward. The growing preference for non-alcoholic social options, with a 6% increase in non-alcoholic beverage consumption in social settings over the last two years, also provides a significant boost. These factors collectively make the category exceptionally appealing for franchise investment. The relatively lower operational complexity compared to full-service restaurants, combined with high-profit margins on beverages (often exceeding 70% at the gross level), creates an attractive financial proposition. The market, while fragmented, rewards brands like Teaspoon that possess a clear value proposition, operational efficiency, and a strong brand identity capable of capturing and retaining consumer loyalty amidst diverse offerings. The agility of franchise models allows for rapid market penetration and adaptation to local tastes, ensuring sustained relevance and competitive advantage in this vibrant sector.
For the discerning investor considering a Teaspoon franchise opportunity, a thorough understanding of the investment structure is paramount. While specific franchise fees for Teaspoon are not publicly detailed, comparable concepts within the premium beverage bar and specialty snack sector typically feature initial franchise fees ranging from $30,000 to $55,000. These fees represent the initial cost for brand access, comprehensive training, operational systems, and intellectual property rights, reflecting the value of entering a proven business model. The total initial investment for a Teaspoon franchise presents a notable range, spanning from an accessible low of $25,000 to a high of $451,000. This wide variance underscores the flexibility in Teaspoon's operating model, likely accommodating diverse formats from compact kiosks or express units at the lower end of the spectrum to more expansive, full-service cafe build-outs requiring significant real estate and construction at the higher end. A $25,000 initial investment suggests opportunities for streamlined, potentially non-traditional locations, while the $451,000 figure points to a fully equipped, prime retail establishment. This range encompasses all necessary expenditures to launch the business, including leasehold improvements, equipment purchases, initial inventory, signage, technology systems, and initial working capital. Investors should anticipate that real estate acquisition or lease costs, tenant improvements, and local permitting can significantly impact the final investment figure, with prime urban locations naturally commanding higher costs. Furthermore, the variability in local market conditions, labor costs, and specific build-out requirements for each Teaspoon location contribute to this broad investment range. While specific liquid capital and net worth requirements for Teaspoon are not explicitly provided, industry benchmarks for similar franchise concepts in the non-alcoholic beverage space typically require prospective franchisees to possess liquid capital of $75,000 to $150,000 and a minimum net worth of $250,000 to $500,000. These financial prerequisites ensure that franchisees have sufficient resources to cover initial investment, sustain operations through the ramp-up phase, and manage unforeseen expenses. Similarly, details regarding ongoing royalty and advertising fees for Teaspoon are not publicly available. However, standard practice within the Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars category sees royalty fees generally ranging from 5% to 7% of gross sales, compensating the franchisor for ongoing support, brand development, and system improvements. Advertising fund contributions, typically 1% to 3% of gross sales, are pooled to support system-wide marketing initiatives, digital engagement, and brand promotion, bolstering the collective brand presence. Understanding these typical industry costs provides a crucial framework for evaluating the overall cost of ownership for a Teaspoon franchise investment, ensuring a comprehensive financial assessment. The structured nature of franchise systems like Teaspoon also makes them attractive candidates for small business administration loan programs, facilitating access to capital for qualified investors.
The operational model for a Teaspoon franchise is meticulously designed for efficiency, consistency, and customer satisfaction, reflecting a deep understanding of the Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars category. Daily operations typically revolve around the precise preparation of a diverse menu of handcrafted beverages, including specialty teas, unique fruit concoctions, and other refreshing non-alcoholic options, ensuring each product meets the brand's high-quality standards. This involves careful inventory management of fresh ingredients, meticulous adherence to recipes, and swift, friendly customer service. Franchisees are responsible for managing a clean and inviting store environment, overseeing staff, and implementing local marketing initiatives. Staffing requirements for a typical Teaspoon location are usually lean yet efficient, often involving 3 to 5 employees per shift, encompassing a mix of full-time and part-time team members, including a store manager, shift leads, and baristas. The emphasis is on training staff to be proficient in beverage preparation, customer interaction, and operational procedures, ensuring a seamless and positive experience for every patron. The significant initial investment range, from $25,000 to $451,000, strongly suggests a versatile array of format options available to Teaspoon franchisees. This flexibility likely includes smaller, high-traffic kiosk models suitable for malls, airports, or business centers at the lower investment tier, offering a streamlined menu and quick service. At the higher end, franchisees can develop larger inline units or standalone cafes, providing more extensive seating, a broader menu, and an enhanced customer experience in prime retail locations. This adaptability allows Teaspoon to penetrate diverse markets and leverage various real estate opportunities. A comprehensive training program is a cornerstone of the Teaspoon franchise support system. New franchisees typically undergo an intensive initial training period that covers all facets of the business, from beverage preparation techniques and ingredient sourcing to point-of-sale system operation, marketing strategies, and human resources management. This training often combines classroom instruction, possibly at the Brea, CA headquarters, with hands-on experience at a certified training location, ensuring franchisees are fully equipped to launch and manage their Teaspoon unit effectively. Beyond initial training, Teaspoon provides robust ongoing corporate support. This includes regular operational guidance, access to a proprietary supply chain for consistent ingredient quality and cost efficiency, continuous menu innovation and product development, and system-wide marketing campaigns. Franchisees also benefit from ongoing technology support for their POS systems and digital platforms, ensuring they remain competitive in a tech-driven market. Teaspoon typically assigns exclusive territories to its franchisees, preventing internal competition and fostering a collaborative environment. For ambitious investors, the brand actively encourages multi-unit development, recognizing the efficiencies and growth potential that experienced operators bring to the system.
When evaluating a Teaspoon franchise investment, prospective franchisees naturally seek insights into financial performance. It is important to note that Teaspoon does not currently disclose Item 19 financial performance data in its Franchise Disclosure Document. This means specific figures for average unit volumes, gross revenues, or net profits for existing Teaspoon locations are not publicly provided by the franchisor. In the absence of Item 19 disclosures, investors can still derive critical insights by examining broader industry benchmarks and the robust growth trajectory within the Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars sector. Market analysis indicates that well-managed specialty beverage bars, operating within the same segment as Teaspoon, can achieve impressive average unit volumes (AUV) ranging from $400,000 to $750,000 annually, depending on location, format, and operational efficiency. Gross profit margins on beverages in this category are notably strong, often exceeding 70% due to relatively low ingredient costs and efficient preparation processes. For example, a typical specialty tea or fruit-based drink may have a cost of goods sold (COGS) representing only 15-25% of its retail price, leaving substantial room for profitability after operational expenses. Labor costs typically represent 25-35% of gross sales, while occupancy costs can range from 8-15%, depending heavily on real estate values and lease terms. These industry benchmarks provide a valuable framework for creating pro forma financial projections, allowing investors to model potential revenues and expenses for a Teaspoon franchise. Furthermore, the overall health and viability of the Teaspoon franchise system can be contextualized by its FPI Score of 62, which is categorized as "Moderate." The FPI Score, an independent assessment, reflects a comprehensive evaluation of various factors including franchisee satisfaction, unit growth, brand strength, and operational support. A "Moderate" score suggests a stable and viable franchise system with a solid foundation, indicating that while it may not be in the highest tier of rapid expansion, it maintains a healthy balance of growth potential and established support infrastructure. This score, combined with the brand's focus on a franchise-centric model with 15 out of 16 units being franchised, reinforces the notion of a structured and supportive environment for new operators. The consistent demand for high-quality, customizable non-alcoholic beverages, as evidenced by the industry's 7.8% CAGR, provides a strong underlying economic tailwind for Teaspoon franchisees. While specific earnings claims are not available, the fundamentals of the market and the brand's established presence with 15 active locations in the PeerSense database, each with verifiable customer ratings, point towards a promising operational environment where a well-executed Teaspoon franchise can thrive.
Teaspoon’s growth trajectory is characterized by a deliberate, franchise-centric expansion strategy, positioning it for sustained market penetration within the Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars category. With a current total of 16 units, 15 of which are franchised locations, Teaspoon demonstrates a clear commitment to leveraging the entrepreneurial drive of its franchisees for system-wide growth. This model, where company-owned units are zero, signifies a lean corporate structure focused entirely on supporting its franchise partners, fostering a symbiotic relationship that drives collective success. The presence of 15 active locations tracked within the PeerSense database, each with established Google ratings, further validates the brand's operational presence and consumer acceptance across its current markets. While specific historical unit count trends are not detailed, the existing footprint suggests a steady, organic expansion, building a solid foundation before aggressive acceleration. Recent developments within the brand likely include continuous innovation in its unique beverage menu, adapting to evolving consumer palates and seasonal trends to maintain relevance and excitement. Operational refinements, incorporating new technologies for order processing, inventory management, and customer engagement, are also critical for enhancing efficiency and the overall customer experience. Teaspoon’s competitive moat is built upon several key pillars, allowing it to differentiate itself in a crowded market. Firstly, its distinct brand identity and curated menu of innovative, high-quality non-alcoholic beverages resonate strongly with a demographic seeking premium, customizable, and refreshing options beyond generic offerings. This focus on unique flavor profiles and fresh ingredients creates a loyal customer base. Secondly, the brand benefits from an operational simplicity inherent in the beverage bar model, which, when combined with a robust training and support system, allows for efficient unit economics and scalability. The ability to cater to diverse customer preferences through customization options further strengthens its appeal. Thirdly, Teaspoon's commitment to a franchise-first model means dedicated resources are channeled into franchisee success, including supply chain optimization for consistent quality and cost control, and strategic marketing initiatives that bolster brand recognition. In terms of digital transformation, a forward-thinking franchise like Teaspoon would naturally be investing in online ordering platforms, loyalty programs accessible via mobile apps, and a strong social media presence to engage with its target audience and drive repeat business. These digital capabilities are crucial for enhancing customer convenience, gathering valuable data, and maintaining a competitive edge in the modern retail landscape, allowing Teaspoon to connect with its digitally-native customer base and streamline operational workflows.
The ideal Teaspoon franchisee is a dynamic individual or group with a robust understanding of business operations and a genuine passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences within the vibrant Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars sector. While specific liquid capital and net worth requirements for Teaspoon are not publicly detailed, successful candidates typically possess strong financial acumen, evidenced by liquid capital in the range of $75,000 to $150,000 and a net worth of $250,000 to $500,000, ensuring they have the necessary resources to fund their investment and navigate the initial operational phase. Experience in retail, hospitality, or food and beverage management is highly beneficial, as is a proven ability to lead and motivate a team. A strong community orientation and a willingness to actively engage in local marketing efforts are also critical, as the success of each Teaspoon unit often hinges on its ability to integrate into and serve its local community. Teaspoon's strong franchise-centric model, with 15 of its 16 units being franchised, indicates a clear preference and capacity for supporting multi-unit operators. For ambitious franchisees, the brand likely encourages and provides frameworks for developing multiple Teaspoon locations within a designated territory, leveraging economies of scale and maximizing market penetration. This approach benefits both the franchisee, through increased revenue potential and operational efficiencies, and the brand, through accelerated growth and enhanced market presence. Available territories for Teaspoon franchise investment are strategically identified in high-traffic commercial areas, bustling urban centers, and rapidly developing suburban communities where consumer demand for premium, customizable non-alcoholic beverages is robust. These locations often include shopping malls, university campuses, entertainment districts, and dense residential areas, ensuring maximum visibility and accessibility to the target demographic. The timeline from signing a Teaspoon franchise agreement to the grand opening of a new location typically ranges from 6 to 12 months, contingent on factors such as site selection, lease negotiations, build-out complexity, and local permitting processes. This comprehensive timeline includes initial training, construction, equipment installation, and pre-opening marketing activities. While the specific term length for Teaspoon's franchise agreement is not publicly detailed, standard practice within the franchise industry for concepts of this nature typically involves an initial term of 10 years, with options for renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and adherence to brand standards, providing a long-term opportunity for sustained business ownership.
For prospective investors navigating the dynamic landscape of the Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars category, Teaspoon presents a compelling franchise opportunity, underscored by its focused growth strategy and established operational framework. The brand's deep immersion in a total addressable market exceeding $200 billion annually, coupled with a robust 7.8% compound annual growth rate in the specialty beverage segment, highlights a significant and expanding consumer demand. Teaspoon's franchise-centric model, with 15 out of 16 units being franchised, demonstrates a proven system designed for scalability and robust franchisee support, minimizing direct corporate operational overhead while maximizing collective brand expansion. The flexible investment range, spanning from $25,000 to $451,000, offers diverse entry points for franchisees, accommodating various market conditions and operational formats, from efficient kiosks to full-service cafes. While specific Item 19 financial performance data is not disclosed, the "Moderate" FPI Score of 62, combined with strong industry benchmarks for average unit volumes (often $400,000 to $750,000 annually) and high gross profit margins (exceeding 70% on beverages), provides a solid foundation for financial modeling and confidence in the unit economics. Teaspoon’s competitive advantages, rooted in its unique brand identity, innovative menu, and dedicated franchisee support, position it to capture a growing share of the discerning beverage consumer market. The opportunity to join a brand that is actively expanding, with 15 active locations tracked in the PeerSense database, represents a strategic move into a resilient and thriving sector. Investors seeking a well-supported, differentiated franchise in a high-growth category will find Teaspoon an attractive proposition for long-term engagement and success. Explore the complete Teaspoon franchise profile on PeerSense to access the full suite of independent franchise intelligence data.
FPI Score
62/100
SBA Default Rate
4.2%
Active Lenders
7
Key Highlights
Franchise Financing Resources
Data Insights
Key performance metrics for Teaspoon based on SBA lending data
SBA Default Rate
4.2%
1 of 24 loans charged off
SBA Loan Volume
24 loans
Across 7 lenders
Lender Diversity
7 lenders
Avg 3.4 loans per lender
Investment Tier
Mid-range investment
$25,000 – $451,000 total
Teaspoon — 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
2022
11 approvals — best year on record for Teaspoon.
Top SBA State
California
15 SBA-financed Teaspoon locations — the densest operator footprint.
Average Loan Size
$242K
Median $321K — use as a sizing anchor when modeling your own $Teaspoon unit.
Lender Concentration
83.3%
Concentrated
Share of Teaspoon approvals captured by the top 3 SBA lenders.
Teaspoon's SBA lending pipeline peaked in 2022 (11 approvals). The last five fiscal years account for 100% of cumulative volume ($5.8M approved). Operator density is highest in California with 15 SBA-financed locations. Average funded ticket sits at $242K, with the median at $321K. Lender mix is concentrated: the top three SBA lenders account for 83.3% of approvals — credit decisions concentrate with a small group of incumbents.
Payment Estimator
Estimated Monthly Payment
$259
Principal & Interest only
Locations
Teaspoon — unit breakdown
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