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Coffee & Café · head-to-head

Muffin Break vs Coolabah Tree Cafe

A Muffin Break franchise costs $250,000–$350,000 all-in, versus From $300,000 for Coolabah Tree Cafe. Muffin Break has the lower entry cost. Muffin Break is the larger network (159 vs 19 Australian outlets). On ongoing fees, Muffin Break charges 7.0% royalty and Coolabah Tree Cafe charges an undisclosed royalty.

Figures as at July 2026 (Muffin Break) and July 2026 (Coolabah Tree Cafe). Confirm both against the disclosure document.

Side by side

Muffin BreakCoolabah Tree Cafe
Total investment (all-in)$250,000–$350,000From $300,000
Initial franchise fee$35,000Not published
Fit-out & equipment$180,000–$300,000
Working capital$40,000
Royalty7.0%
Marketing levy3.0%
Term7 years
Australian outlets15919
CategoryCoffee & CaféCoffee & Café

Establishment ranges include working capital. Every figure is dated to its source, see each brand’s profile for the full breakdown and provenance.

Which is cheaper to get into?

Muffin Break is the cheaper way in, its establishment range starts at $250,000 against $300,000 for the other. Remember the all-in figure includes working capital; the gap can narrow or widen once you cost fit-out for a specific site.

Both in context

Muffin Break and Coolabah Tree Cafe are both coffee & café systems. The category median all-in investment is $118,000$450,000 with a 6.5% median royalty (Fee Index, n=74). See where each sits against the field in the Coffee & Café Fee Index.

Common questions

Is Muffin Break or Coolabah Tree Cafe cheaper to buy?

Muffin Break has the lower entry cost. Muffin Break costs $250,000–$350,000 all-in versus From $300,000 for Coolabah Tree Cafe. These are establishment ranges including working capital, always verify against the disclosure document.

Which has more locations, Muffin Break or Coolabah Tree Cafe?

Muffin Break is the larger network, with 159 Australian outlets versus 19 for Coolabah Tree Cafe.

What royalty do Muffin Break and Coolabah Tree Cafe charge?

Muffin Break charges 7.0% royalty and a 3.0% marketing levy. Coolabah Tree Cafe charges an undisclosed royalty. Both are ongoing percentages of gross sales, confirm the current rates with each franchisor.

Should I choose Muffin Break or Coolabah Tree Cafe?

It depends on your budget, which territories each has available near you, and the format you want to run. This comparison uses each franchisor's published figures; before deciding, request both disclosure documents, check territory availability, and have an accountant review the numbers.

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