- Cafe2U started with one van on Sydney’s north shore and grew into a large mobile coffee franchise. It was later acquired by Retail Food Group.
- Reported all-inclusive investment for a new van has ranged from about $125,000 to $136,000 plus GST, including the fitted vehicle.
- There is no shop rent, but income depends on your round of workplaces and events, so test the run, not just the van.
Cafe2U began as a single coffee van on Sydney’s north shore and became Australia’s first mobile coffee franchise. Franchisees run fitted vans that serve espresso coffee and snacks to workplaces, business parks, schools and events. The brand was later acquired by Retail Food Group, which also owns Gloria Jean’s and Donut King.
This guide covers how a Cafe2U van makes money and what we would test before you buy a new or existing van.
Cafe2U franchise at a glance
| Started | One van on Sydney’s north shore |
|---|---|
| Owner | Retail Food Group |
| Reported investment | About $125,000 to $136,000 + GST, all inclusive (franchise listings) |
| What’s included | Fitted van, espresso equipment and set-up costs (franchise listings) |
| Operating model | Owner-operated van serving a regular round plus events |
| Overheads | No shop rent; vehicle, fuel and insurance costs instead |
Figures come from the public sources listed at the end of this guide and can change. Treat them as a starting point and confirm current numbers in the franchise disclosure document.
How the Cafe2U model works financially
A Cafe2U van earns from coffee sold on a regular round of workplaces and from event bookings. Coffee carries high margins, and there is no shop rent or large wage bill when the owner runs the van alone. The trade-off is that income is capped by how many stops you can fit into the morning and how many cups you can make per hour.
Costs include coffee and milk, fuel, vehicle servicing, insurance, finance repayments on the van, royalties and marketing fees. The van depreciates, so a realistic budget includes replacing it at the end of its useful life.
The numbers to test before you buy a Cafe2U franchise
- The existing round: number of stops, cups per stop and how long each customer has been on it.
- Daily and weekly sales by stop, and seasonality such as school holidays.
- Coffee, milk and consumable costs per cup.
- Vehicle costs: finance, fuel, servicing, insurance and replacement.
- Royalty and marketing fees, and any territory protections.
- Event income and how reliable it is from year to year.
Buying an existing Cafe2U van
Existing Cafe2U vans are often sold with an established round. The value is in that round, not the van. Ask for sales by stop, a list of regular sites with how long they have been serviced, and the van’s service history. Verify sales against bank records, as mobile businesses can take a lot of cash and card payments through different terminals.
How Franchise Co. can help with a Cafe2U purchase
We work with buyers and owners of franchise businesses across Australia. For a Cafe2U van we can:
- Review the numbers before you sign. Our business due diligence starts from $2,000 + GST and tests the round, sales by stop, vehicle costs and fees.
- Set up the structure and the books. Entity choice, GST, payroll and a chart of accounts that tracks sales by stop and vehicle running costs. See accounting and tax and bookkeeping, BAS and payroll.
- Check your franchise fees. We reconcile royalties and marketing fees to the sales they’re calculated on. See royalties and franchise fees.
- Plan the next van. If a second site is on the cards, we model the cash flow and funding first. See multi-site reporting.
Cafe2U franchise FAQs
How much does a Cafe2U franchise cost?
Franchise listings have reported an all-inclusive investment of about $125,000 to $136,000 plus GST, including the fitted van. Confirm current pricing in the disclosure document.
Who owns Cafe2U?
Cafe2U is owned by Retail Food Group, which also owns Gloria Jean’s, Donut King and Crust Pizza.
Do I need barista experience?
Cafe2U has said many of its best-performing franchisees had never made an espresso before joining, and training is provided.
Can you value an existing coffee van round?
Yes. We review sales by stop, costs and the reliability of the round as part of our business due diligence, which starts from $2,000 + GST.
Are there Cafe2U franchises for sale?
Yes, existing Cafe2U businesses come up for sale from time to time. Look for resale listings from the franchisor, business brokers and sites such as SEEK Business. Any purchase needs the franchisor’s consent, and you should receive the disclosure document and franchise agreement at least 14 days before the transfer is approved. Ask for three years of accounts, sales reports and the lease, and check how long is left on the franchise term.
Franchise Co. is an independent accounting practice. We aren’t affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Cafe2U or Retail Food Group. Cafe2U is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to identify the brand this guide discusses.
Sources and further reading
- Franchise Business: Cafe2U
- Business Franchise Australia: Cafe2U after RFG acquisition
- ACCC: Franchise disclosure document
Sources checked November 2026. Franchise costs and fees change. Confirm current figures with the franchisor before acting.
This guide is general information for people considering a franchise in Australia. It doesn’t take your circumstances into account and isn’t personal tax, legal or financial advice.
Talk it through
Every franchise is different. Ask us how this applies to yours.
