by Lars H
Ever seen the drive through coffee shop Ellianos Coffee when you are in Florida, Alabama or Georgia and wondered what they’re all about?
I wondered too, so I looked them up to see what the story behind this small coffee chain in the southeastern US. Turns out they’ve been around for more than 20 years, because they were founded in 2002. So it’s not a new chain at all. They are a highly established business.
The chain started out with a single coffee shop in Lake, Florida. It was the first double-sided drive-thru specialty coffee shop in the city there. Double drive throughs were not that common twenty years ago, so they were really thinking things out in advance about providing fast drive through service. To give you an idea, Starbucks only had about 15 percent of their stores that had drive throughs at all back in 2005.
Starting the first store was inspired by a trip to the Pacific Northwest by Scott and Pam Stewart, who were already in the food business as pizza franchisees. They figured that customers in Florida would also be interested in high end specialty coffee, with the angle of also making it quick and easy with a drive through.
The catch phrase of Ellianos is “Italian Quality at America’s Pace.”
They franchised the concept, and have expanded to more than 60 stores throughout the Southeast. The majority of the stores are still located in Florida, with the next biggest number in Georgia, and a few in Alabama as well.
Elianos serves hot coffee and espresso drinks, iced coffee drinks and blended coffee drinks that they call “freezers.” You can also buy their energy drinks, smoothies, teas, milkshakes, and foods like breakfast sandwiches, muffins and pastries.
If you wanted to open up a store, here’s what it might cost you according to Franchisehelp.com.
“The franchise fee for Ellianos Coffee Company is $25,000. The total investment to open and operate an Ellianos Coffee Company franchise ranges from $397,500-$690,000, with liquid assets available of at least $150,000 and net worth of at least $400,000.”
https://www.franchisehelp.com/franchises/ellianos-coffee/