Esquires Coffee is a globally minded coffee shop brand looking to expand its UK footprint through franchising, pairing an independent café feel with the backing of an international operator. For anyone weighing up a franchise in the fast-growing UK coffee shop sector, Esquires Coffee is worth a serious look thanks to its ambitious growth plans and community-focused positioning.
Franchise · Food & Catering
Esquires Coffee Franchise
A growing coffee shop brand blending community spirit with global backing and rapid UK expansion plans
£19,500
franchise fee
£100,000
personal capital
£270k – 300kk
investment
70
UK locations
How much does a Esquires Coffee franchise cost?
Franchise fee
Amount paid when signing the contract
£19,500
Personal capital
Own funds required to complete the financing
£100,000
Total investment
Estimated total budget for the opening
£270,000 – £300,000
Ongoing royalty
6%
Advertising royalty
2%
Locations in the country
70
Figures declared by the franchisor — sources and verification date at the bottom of the page.
What it's about
- Units in the market
- 70
- Locations
- 70
- Type of business
- Coffee shop franchise
- Company
- Cooks Coffee Company
Fact sheet
The right questions before you start
What running an Esquires Coffee shop actually involves
Esquires Coffee operates as a coffee shop franchise built around a warm, community-led atmosphere rather than a purely transactional counter service model. Franchise partners open sites under the Esquires name, sourcing coffee connected to farmer cooperatives and running stores designed with sustainability in mind, from compostable and recyclable cups to a partnership with Too Good To Go aimed at cutting food waste. The brand is owned by Cooks Coffee Company, a New Zealand-based operator dual-listed on the Aquis Market in London and the NZX in New Zealand, giving the UK arm access to a wider corporate structure while still operating with a distinct local management team.
Why the Esquires Coffee network is attracting franchise interest
The appeal for prospective franchisees lies largely in the brand's current momentum. UK and Ireland turnover reportedly grew 18% to $35.7 million in the twelve months to 31 March 2024, with UK sales alone said to have climbed by around a fifth to £17.5 million in 2023, with new store openings contributing a meaningful share of that growth. Trade press coverage from late 2024 points to a network of more than 70 UK stores, expanding towards a target of 140 to 150 outlets within three years, and reportedly aiming for over 300 sites across the UK and Ireland by 2035. That kind of expansion trajectory signals an active franchisor investing in new territory, site-finding support and brand marketing, rather than a static, mature system.
Costs, fees and what it takes to get started
According to Esquires Coffee's own franchise cost and FAQ pages, a single-unit franchise carries an upfront franchise fee of £19,500, alongside a minimum personal capital requirement of £100,000. Total investment for a single site typically sits in the region of £270,000 to £300,000, covering the franchise fee, fit-out, equipment, hiring support and working capital. Ongoing fees comprise a 6% royalty on gross weekly sales (excluding VAT) and a 2% marketing contribution collected in the same way, funding national promotional activity, PR and market research. Franchise agreement length is tied to the property lease, with Esquires typically securing initial terms of 10 to 15 years, renewable in line with the lease and continued good standing.
Key facts at a glance
- Franchisor: Cooks Coffee Company, listed on Aquis Market (London) and NZX (New Zealand)
- UK network: over 70 stores as of late 2024, with growth reported to around 79 combined across the UK and Ireland
- Growth target: 140 to 150 UK outlets within three years, over 300 across UK and Ireland by 2035
- UK and Ireland turnover: reported at $35.7 million for the year to 31 March 2024, up 18%
- UK sales 2023: approximately £17.5 million, up around a fifth year-on-year
- Franchise fee: £19,500 per single unit
- Minimum capital required: £100,000
- Total investment: approximately £270,000 to £300,000
- Royalty: 6% of gross weekly sales; marketing contribution: 2% of gross weekly sales
If the growth story and community-focused coffee shop concept appeal to you, the next step is to reach out directly to Esquires Coffee to request the full franchise prospectus, financial disclosures and details on available UK territories.
How much does it cost to open an Esquires Coffee franchise
Based on the official franchisor figures, total investment for a single Esquires Coffee shop typically runs from around £270,000 to £300,000, which includes the £19,500 franchise fee, fit-out, equipment and working capital. Candidates are also expected to have at least £100,000 in personal capital available. Exact costs can vary depending on the site and lease terms, so it is worth requesting a detailed breakdown directly from the franchisor.
What ongoing fees does an Esquires Coffee franchisee pay
Franchisees pay a 6% royalty on gross weekly sales (excluding VAT) plus a 2% marketing contribution, both collected weekly by direct debit. The marketing fee funds national promotional campaigns, PR and market research coordinated centrally. These are the only ongoing fees confirmed on the official franchise FAQ page, alongside the requirement to use the brand's designated EPOS system.
How many Esquires Coffee shops are there in the UK
Trade press coverage from late 2024 puts the UK network at more than 70 stores, with reports suggesting around 64 UK sites plus additional Irish locations, and combined UK and Ireland figures nearing 79 to 98 depending on the reporting date. The brand has stated ambitions to reach 140 to 150 UK outlets within three years, so numbers are changing quickly during this expansion phase.
What support does Esquires Coffee give to new franchisees
According to the official FAQ, Esquires provides a dedicated team to help find and secure suitable premises, including surveyors, commercial property agents and solicitors who assist with negotiations and paperwork. Start-up costs also include hiring support, and ongoing marketing is funded through the 2% marketing fee. Specific details of initial training programmes were not published in the sources reviewed, so it is worth asking the franchisor directly.
What kind of person is Esquires Coffee looking for as a franchisee
The main published requirement is financial: candidates need a minimum of £100,000 in personal capital to invest. Beyond that, the brand's community-focused, hands-on café format suggests it suits people comfortable managing daily retail operations and a team, ideally with strong local market knowledge given the focus on suburban and smaller-town expansion. No further formal experience criteria have been made public.
Sources and data verification
The figures on this page come from the following sources:
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Esquires Coffee
Investment £270,000 to £300,000