Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii Franchise

Founded on Hawaii's Big Island, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii built its identity around premium island-grown coffee "with a kick." Locations today serve a broader menu that includes blended drinks, tea, food items, and other specialty coffees, alongside branded merchandise. The company leans into its unusual name and the legend of hardworking Hawaiian donkeys to draw customers in, then works to keep them coming back through a lively café atmosphere and a strong sense of community connection.

The brand is currently in an active growth phase. According to a July 2025 release distributed through the International Franchise Association, the system operated 36 franchised U.S. locations, with 14 more slated to open by the end of 2025 and 63 additional stores in various stages of development. The company has also rolled out a loyalty program, mobile/online ordering, and a franchisee-facing online learning platform to support operations and training across the growing footprint. Momentum is visible in new multi-unit deals across Colorado, New Jersey, and South Carolina.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is geared toward candidates who can commit to a minimum three-unit development schedule, per official company disclosures for multi-unit agreements. The brand states it is concentrating exclusively on U.S. growth, including Hawaii, and is not currently pursuing international development, which suggests a preference for operators with strong regional or multi-market ambitions rather than single-café hobbyists.

Officially, the company discloses net worth and liquidity requirements tied to multi-unit development agreements: a minimum net worth of $1.5 million and $500,000 in liquid capital for candidates pursuing a three-store commitment. Beyond these figures, the brand's own materials do not publish a detailed single-unit investment range, initial franchise fee, or royalty percentage. A third-party franchise research site has cited figures such as a $227,000–$326,000 total investment range, a $35,000 franchise fee, a 6% ongoing royalty, and $100,000 in required liquid capital for a single unit — but these numbers have not been confirmed through the official Franchise Disclosure Document or company sources, so prospective candidates should request the FDD directly to verify current terms.

• Founded on Hawaii's Big Island in 1989, according to an official company release
• Franchisor entity: Royal Aloha Franchise Company, LLC
• 36 franchised U.S. locations open as of mid-2025, with 14 more expected by year-end and 63 in various stages of development
• Official multi-unit requirements: minimum 3-unit development commitment, $1.5M net worth, $500,000 liquid capital
• Focus strictly on U.S. expansion, including Hawaii; no current international development
• Franchisee support includes a dedicated training store, pre-opening training beginning 4–5 weeks before launch, and an online learning platform

If Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii's island-inspired concept and expanding U.S. footprint sound like the right fit, reach out today to request more information and take the next step toward franchise ownership.