The 60-year-old coffee and tea brand earned a place on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, highlighting its international reach and flexible franchise formats.
- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® ranked No. 111 on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400 list.
- Founded in 1963, it has grown into a global franchise presence.
- Flexible franchise options include inline locations, endcaps, drive-thrus, and kiosks.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has ranked No. 111 on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, an annual list of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems measured primarily by global systemwide sales. The placement gives the Southern California-founded coffee and tea brand recognition among major franchise businesses as competition in the specialty beverage market continues. The company announced the ranking on October 19, describing it as a reflection of its brand, franchisees and international growth ambitions.
Founded in 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has developed an international presence across the Americas, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The company is known for its premium coffee and tea offerings, including its signature Ice Blended drinks. It operates as part of the Jollibee Group of Companies and reports more than 1,100 cafés across 27 countries in its announcement.
The brand's franchise development strategy includes several formats, from traditional inline cafés and endcap locations to drive-thrus and kiosks. This range gives prospective franchisees options suited to different sites and customer routines, including locations designed around convenience and takeaway service. Peter Vavra, the company's Director of Franchise Development, said the business aims to provide franchisees with flexibility and support while maintaining its standards for quality and hospitality.
The Franchise Times Top 400 evaluates franchise systems across sectors including restaurants, retail, home services and personal services. Its ranking is based primarily on global systemwide sales, making it an indicator of scale rather than a direct measure of customer satisfaction, profitability at individual outlets or franchisee returns. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's position therefore offers one measure of its reach, but prospective franchise operators would need to examine additional financial and operational information when assessing opportunities.
For franchise businesses looking to grow, comparing performance across locations can help identify operational differences and guide decisions about expansion. Gorilla Dash offers a Benchmarking feature that can support franchise teams in reviewing business measures and tracking progress. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's ranking provides a snapshot of its current scale; sustaining that position will depend on how the brand continues to serve local markets while adapting its formats and offerings to evolving customer expectations.
Key Facts:
| Franchise Ranking | Ranked No. 111 on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400 list, showcasing its global franchise dominance. |
|---|---|
| Brand History | Founded in 1963 in Southern California, grown into an international specialty coffee and tea brand. |
| Global Footprint | Presence spans Americas, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. |
| Franchise Formats | Offers flexible formats: traditional inline locations, endcaps, drive-thrus, and kiosks. |
| Industry Evolution | The coffee and tea sector is evolving, with changing consumer expectations driving new business strategies. |
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