Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii in expansion mode with ‘robust’ pipeline

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii has its sights set on Florida — and beyond.

The coffee franchise, known for its premium sourcing of Hawaiian coffees and themed cafés, awarded 45 franchise agreements and opened eight new stores in 2022.  

In October, Bad Ass Coffee signed the largest deal in its history, a 20-unit agreement with Marquee Coffee to open 20 locations along the Florida Gulf Coast. The deal followed an earlier agreement to open five locations agreement in the Tampa/Clearwater area.

In 2023, the company plans to hone in on development efforts in the Southeast, Southwest, and Coastal designated market areas, in addition to re-establishing store presence in Hawaii. With a robust pipeline, the brand is projecting 20 to 30 new store openings by year-end. Bad Ass Coffee has set an overall goal to open 150 new locations during the next four years.

Bad Ass said it also achieved high-performance marks with a 76% average unit volume increase compared to pre-COVID, 2019. Key to its strong performance has been strategic systemwide investments and enhancements to strengthen overall brand infrastructure and support, the company said.

Notable accomplishments in 2022 range across digital innovations, strategic development plans, new hires and menu announcements, including:

• The debut of new store prototypes, igniting rapid growth as stores are set to open more quickly, efficiently, and successfully;
• Implementing a single POS platform across the system to improve operations and enhance the guest experience;
• The implementation of the company's first ever loyalty program and online/mobile ordering system;
• The rollout of a new comprehensive online learning platform for franchisees to streamline communications and training; and
• Seasonal menu launches and significant five-year menu innovation project to provide a comprehensive future roadmap for both food that beverage offerings that are on-trend and inspired by Hawaii.

"We're very proud of the milestones that we achieved in 2022 and the positive impact that they have had on our franchisees' business," said Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii. "Our continued and aggressive push to build a best-in-class national coffee franchise opportunity with a strong infrastructure, technology & innovation, and a craveable menu has Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii poised for even bigger strides in 2023."

According to Bad Ass Coffee's 2022 FDD, the top 25% of stores saw average net sales of more than $1.2 million. Over the past several years, leadership has been building a strong infrastructure and telling the brand story and growing the brand footprint through an omnichannel sales strategy.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii was born on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1989, and currently operates more than 25 locations, with additional shops in various stages of development. In addition to beverages and food, stores sell a variety of branded merchandise.

The Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii brand and franchise is owned by Royal Aloha Franchise Company.