PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans Franchise Costs: Estimated Initial Investment (Item 7, 2023 FDD)

Traditional Model

1.  Initial Franchise Fee:  $10,000 to $35,000

2.  Real Estate Lease Deposit for Premises:  $2,500 to $12,500

• Locations for Traditional Model PJ’s Units are typically within shopping strip centers and suburban shopping areas.

• Typically, Franchisee would lease an existing location in a shopping strip center or other freestanding building and remodel the location to conform to the current design specifications of Franchisor.

• Franchisee may also lease the land and an existing facility and convert the facility to Franchisee’s PJ’s Unit or enter into a build-to-suit lease under which lease the landlord agrees to construct a structure which is used as Franchisee’s PJ’s Unit and lease the land and the building back to Franchisee.

• Franchisee may also purchase the land and build the facility itself.

• The cost of land may vary dramatically depending upon a multitude of factors and it varies by city and region.

• Franchisor has not included costs for land acquisition or construction of a building.

• For a typical Traditional Model or Special Contracts Traditional Model PJ’s Unit, Franchisee must lease approximately 650 to 2,000 square feet of space. Lease payments for a typical PJ’s Unit usually range from $2,000 to $12,500 per month depending upon the size, location, and market demand for the property. The rate may be higher for regional mall sites or locations in high demand.

• Franchisor estimates that the range ($2,000 to $12,500) given will cover a deposit and first month’s rent.

3.  Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment:  $130,000 to $215,000

• Franchisor will provide a complete list of furniture, fixtures, and equipment needs and specifications.

• Franchisor estimates that the range given will also be enough to purchase the initial decor package and other miscellaneous equipment.

• The decor package and equipment must comply exactly with the designer and/or architectural plans specified by Franchisor.

4.  Opening Advertising:  $12,500

• Franchisee is required to spend $12,500 to promote the grand opening. If the PJ’s Unit is more than 75 miles from an existing PJ’s Unit (referred to herein as a “Pioneer Market”), the Franchisor will spend an additional $5,000 to promote the grand opening. Franchisor’s Pioneer Market advertising spend will not be deducted from any national advertising fund.

5.  Travel and Living Expenses While Training:  $3,500 to $5,000

• These costs will depend on the distance Franchisee must travel, the type of accommodations, the number of attendees, and any wages paid by Franchisee to the associates attending training.

• The costs listed include estimates for reasonably priced transportation, lodging, and meals for three people. The costs do not include wages paid for associates or employees attending training, local restaurants, or other attractions in the Greater Metro New Orleans, Louisiana area, which can significantly increase Franchisee’s costs and affect the quality of Franchisee’s training.

6.  Insurance:  $2,500 to $5,000

• Franchisee must procure comprehensive liability, property, and other types of insurance coverage as provided in Franchisee’s Franchise Agreement, Franchisee’s lease, and as may be required by law.

• The estimate is for insurance premium for the initial 3 months of business operation for a customary comprehensive general liability policy in the amount of $1 million per occurrence, business interruption insurance, and $1 million aggregate with full replacement value of business contents coverage.

• Your costs may vary depending on your market, the amount of coverage you select, your insurance carrier, and other factors.

• Franchisee also must list New Orleans Brew, LLC as an additional named insured.

7.  Other Prepaid Expenses (such as deposits, licenses, and various permits):  $2,000 to $6,500

• These costs include installation charges and deposits for a business telephone line, utilities, occupational licensing, health, and other permits, and, in some areas, zoning or impact fees.

8.  Opening Inventory:  $10,000 to $14,000

• Franchisor estimates that the range given will be sufficient to cover a supply of food and beverages for the opening of Franchisee’s PJ’s Unit.

9.  Signage:  $7,000 to $18,000 

10.  Freestanding Building or Leasehold Improvements (not including the purchase of land):  $175,000 to $725,000

• The cost of the leasehold improvements typically ranges from $50,000 to $325,000 depending upon the requirements of the city and/or state in which Franchisee is building.

• The cost of the improvements will vary depending upon the condition and type of building leased and the willingness of the lessor or owner to contribute to the construction or remodeling of Franchisee’s PJ’s Unit.

• Costs could exceed the estimates if remodeling is extensive and the lessor or owner does not contribute significantly to the costs of remodeling Franchisee’s PJ’s Unit.

• The cost of constructing a freestanding building typically ranges from $250,000 to $725,000. This cost includes site work such as the parking lot and driveway, but does not include the cost of purchasing land.

• Franchisor will provide a complete list of improvements and design and decor criteria for Franchisee’s PJ’s Unit.

• Franchisee must use a licensed and insured General Contractor for all construction and remodeling on the interior and exterior of the franchised location.

11.  Smallwares:  $9,000 to $12,000

12.  POS System and Back-Office Computer System:  $2,500 to $5,500

13.  Legal, Accounting, and Organizational Costs:  $2,500 to $5,000

14.  Construction Drawings:  $7,000 to $30,000

• Franchisee must obtain construction drawings and make certain improvements and modifications to the particular building Franchisee leases to conform to the decor and design of other PJ’s Units.

• The cost of the construction drawings typically ranges from $7,000 to $30,000 for a Traditional PJ’s Unit, depending upon the project scope, size of the project, and requirements of the city and/or state in which Franchisee is building.

• The construction drawings fees do not include civil or environmental engineering drawings as these are not typically required for a PJ’s Unit.

• Franchisor may offer the service of preparing pre-construction drawings to aid the preparation of the complete construction drawing set.

• The pre-construction drawings may include existing and proposed floor plan, reflected ceiling plan, equipment and furniture plan, finishes and details, and typical elevations plan.

• If applicable, the fee for the pre-construction drawings prepared by Franchisor ranges from $500 to $2,500.

15.  Additional Funds:  $30,000

• This amount reflects the minimum suggested amount of additional funds Franchisee will need for the initial 3 months Franchisee operates Franchisee’s PJ’s Unit.

• This amount includes the following items: salaries and wages, payroll taxes, advertising, product purchases, payment of royalties, uniforms, utility bills, ongoing professional fees, freight, and other miscellaneous administrative and operating expenses that may not be covered by sales revenues.

• The estimated range does not include any salary or draw for the owner of the Franchised Business, nor does it include any costs associated with debt services.

• Franchisor relied on its prior experience in this business to compile these estimates.

16.  Total:  $406,000 to $1,131,000