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The Human Bean®

Food & Beverage Year: 2025
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What Is The Human Bean?

The Human Bean is a retail franchise focused on espresso drinks, coffee products, tea drinks and fruit smoothies. Franchise outlets operate as drive-thru retail locations and must have at least one drive-thru lane; outlets may be freestanding or attached structures. The Human Bean outlets also sell BRIGHT‑branded energy drinks in cans and blends at the outlets.

The Human Bean Franchise: Pros and Cons

Strong territory protection - a score of 61 (top 10% in Food & Beverage) - gives meaningful protected territory against nearby company openings, but a high maximum training cost of $24,348 (also top 10%) raises your upfront investment and could strain startup cash flow.

Pros

A territory protection score of 61 is well above what's common in Food & Beverage (top 10%), giving you meaningful protected territory against nearby company openings.
Zero disclosed lawsuits, government penalties, franchisor-initiated enforcement actions, and franchisee judgments/settlements is unusually low for this sector (bottom 5%), reflecting a very clean legal and compliance record.
Initial franchise fees are refundable on failure - an uncommon concession in Food & Beverage (only ~14% offer this) - which reduces your financial downside during the startup phase.

Cons

The $24,348 maximum training cost is well above typical across franchises (top 10%), increasing your upfront investment requirements.
Managers are not required to complete initial training, an unusual absence (about 90% of Food & Beverage franchisors require it), which shifts the burden of preparing frontline leadership onto you.
The franchisor cannot operate in alternative venues (a rare absence), which limits corporate-driven channels (pop-ups, retail, non-traditional sites) that can broaden brand exposure and revenue streams.

Territory Protection

61/100
Good

The Human Bean grants a protected exclusive territory (one-mile radius around an approved drive‑thru site) with site-specific rights and restrictions on relocation. The franchisor retains the right to develop nearby units affecting market density, sell via e-commerce/alternative distribution channels, and exclusivity is contingent on meeting performance quotas.

Training & Support

70/100
NORMAL

The Human Bean provides a robust 120-hour training curriculum designed to prepare two staff members for launch and to support operational readiness. The program includes on-site launch assistance as part of its operational readiness support, with on-site services available for an additional fee, and franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses.

Unit Growth Analysis

Unit Growth Chart

Units grew from 113 in 2021 to 158 in 2025 - a net +45 units (+39.8%) - but annual growth is decelerating: +14.2% (2021→2022), +12.4% (2022→2023) and most recently +9.0% YoY. This signals healthy, positive expansion (continued unit additions) but a slowing growth trajectory consistent with a maturing footprint; investors can expect steadier, lower‑risk growth rather than rapid scaling and should watch whether the decline from 14.2% to 9.0% stabilizes.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a The Human Bean Franchise?

Opening a The Human Bean franchise requires a total initial investment of $562,090 to $1,290,931, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$562,090
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Franchise Fee
Real Estate
Equipment & Assets
Reserves
Training
Other

Maximum Investment

$1,290,931
Maximum Investment Breakdown

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$30,000
Real Estate$464,500
Equipment & Assets$23,375
Reserves$20,000
Training$8,700
Other$15,515

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$30,000
Real Estate$1,110,000
Equipment & Assets$26,523
Reserves$70,000
Training$24,348
Other$30,060

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

The Human Bean Franchise Earnings: Not Disclosed

The Human Bean did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information, which can make it harder for prospective owners to evaluate expected revenue before investing.

This franchise company did not publish these results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Human Bean a good franchise to own?

Whether The Human Bean is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2025 FDD: The Human Bean operates 158 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 70/100. The franchisor does not disclose financial performance data. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.

Is a The Human Bean franchise worth the investment?

The value of a The Human Bean franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $562,090 to $1,290,931. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.

How long does it take to break even with a The Human Bean franchise?

Break-even timelines for The Human Bean franchises are not disclosed in the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.

Is The Human Bean a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2025 FDD, The Human Bean operates 146 franchised locations and 12 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

Does The Human Bean disclose franchise revenue data?

The Human Bean did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2025 FDD. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information.

Interested in The Human Bean?

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