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An Uncertain Future?
With Starbucks announcing in September 2025 that it is undoing a $1 billion dollar restructuring and closing over 400 outlets across North America, it begs the question: are coffee franchises still the power house they once were?
With rise of inflation and costs of goods and services, even the reliable chains are feeling the pinch and are downsizing their operations.
As shifts in how these chains operate, we wanted to take a quick look at how this will affect coffee franchises across Ireland and future coffee franchise investments.
Why Invest in a Coffee Franchise?
In spite of all the uncertainty, investing in a coffee franchise in Ireland is an opportunity for financial gain, primarily due to the country's ever-growing coffee culture (we love our matcha lattes - what can we say?) combined with the inherent benefits of the franchise business model.
Hottest Coffee Franchise Opportunities for Sale Franchises
The Pantry Café & Restaurant
Family designed & built The Pantry was established in October 2016 with two key attributes in mind - delicious home-cooked food and quality service.
Esquires – The Organic Coffee Co.
Run your own Esquires Coffee franchise and benefit from the established presence of this market leader.
Over the past 15 years, Ireland has seen quite a significant increase in coffee consumption, with a strong trend toward specialty and premium coffee. In a 2025 survey by Amarach Research, 76% of respondents were said to be coffee drinkers. Out these respondents, they highlighted that taste was a huge factor in deciding why the buy and choose their coffee from. In fact, 88% of respondents said that prioritise flavour other considerations like price.
Bewleys Coffee Consumption Report indicated that Irish adults drink an average of three cups of coffee a day, showing that there is no slow down to people’s thirst for the beverage, especially when they're in the office and nipping out for their little coffee breaks.
The overall coffee shop/cafe market continues to grow, demonstrating resilience even through economic challenges, as consumers still spend on "food-to-go" items when they're out and about, with coffee being a major driver. This environment of high demand for quality coffee makes the sector an attractive place for investment.
Popular Coffee Franchisees in Ireland
| Brand | Locations in Ireland |
| Costa Coffee | (Estimated) 105 |
| Insomnia | 150 cafes (400 self-service units) |
| Starbucks | 79 |
| Caffè Nero | 20 |
Advantages of the Franchise Model in Ireland
- Investing in a franchise model significantly reduces the risk compared to starting an independent coffee shop from scratch.
- Franchisees have the benefit of regonised brand recognition as customers already know and trust the brand, which translates into quicker foot traffic and sales from day one. This saves franchisees months of having to build up a solid customer base.
- Franchisors provide comprehensive support, including initial training, assistance with site selection, store design, marketing and ongoing operational guidance. This support structure is crucial for new business owners in a competitive market.
Financial and Operational Benefits
From an operational perspective, a coffee franchise often benefits from economies of scale.
This meant that the franchisor’s bulk purchasing power for beans, equipment, and supplies can lead to significant cost savings that an independent shop might not achieve.
Additionally, the established supply chain ensures a consistent supply of high-quality ingredients.
Financially, banks and lenders are often more willing to finance a franchise with a strong track record and business plan, potentially making access to capital easier.
Your Next Steps
By leveraging the expertise and resources of the parent brand, investing in an Irish coffee franchise offers a path to becoming your own boss with a built-in safety net, positioning you to capture a slice of the nation's thriving coffee market.
Start your coffee franchise journey with Franchise Direct Ireland today. Browse our list of available coffee franchise investments and kick-start your entrepreneurial career!