- Soul Origin lists three store formats: Piccolo from about $320,000 + GST, Traditional about $425,000 to $525,000 + GST and Bespoke from $600,000 + GST.
- A $15,000 + GST training fee and $3,500 + GST documentation fee are payable on top of the store price, and Soul Origin suggests working capital of roughly 10% of the investment.
- New partners must work full time in the store for at least the first 6 to 12 months, so your own labour belongs in the forecast.
Soul Origin is a Sydney-founded fresh food and coffee brand that started in 2011 and now trades from more than 170 stores, mostly in shopping centres, transport hubs and hospitals. It recruits owner-operators it calls franchise partners and doesn’t require hospitality experience, because the menu is designed to be prepared without qualified chefs.
This guide sets out what the brand publishes about costs and fees, how the model makes and spends money, and the questions an accountant would test before you commit.
Soul Origin franchise at a glance
| Sector | Fresh food and specialty coffee (quick service) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011, Sydney |
| Network | 170+ stores across Australia (franchisor, 2026) |
| Store formats | Piccolo, Traditional and Bespoke (hospitals, universities, airports, stations) |
| Investment | Piccolo $320k to $390k + GST; Traditional $425k to $525k + GST; Bespoke $600k + GST |
| Extra upfront fees | Training $15,000 + GST; documentation $3,500 + GST |
| Ongoing fees | A Franchise Business directory listing shows a 9% royalty on weekly net sales and a 5% marketing fee |
| Training | Six-week program in approved training stores |
| Owner involvement | Full time in store for at least 6 to 12 months from opening or handover |
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 Soul Origin model works financially
The investment covers fit-out, equipment, training and documentation. On top of that you fund working capital, opening stock and a launch promotion. Most stores trade in shopping centres, so rent, outgoings and the lease term are as important as the purchase price.
Revenue now comes from several channels: in-store sales, catering, delivery and an at-home coffee range. That matters for two reasons. Delivery platforms charge commission, which lowers your margin on those sales, and you need to know exactly which sales your royalty and marketing fee are calculated on. If the listed 9% royalty and 5% marketing fee apply, about 14% of net sales goes to the franchisor before food, wages and rent.
Soul Origin quotes average annual store sales of about $1.5 million for its network. An average hides a wide range, so ask for the spread of results for stores of the format, size and location type you’re considering.
The numbers to test before you buy a Soul Origin franchise
- The full day-one cost: store price, training and documentation fees, opening stock, launch marketing, bank guarantee or lease deposit and working capital.
- Rent and outgoings as a percentage of forecast sales, and how the lease term lines up with the franchise term.
- The sales definition used for royalties and the marketing fee, especially for delivery, catering and gift card sales.
- A labour budget at award rates that includes your own hours, since you’re required to work full time in the early months.
- Delivery platform commission and how the delivery share of sales affects your gross margin.
- Cash flow for the first 12 months, including the time it takes a new store to reach its expected sales level.
Buying an existing Soul Origin store
Soul Origin advertises resales as well as new stores, and any buyer still goes through the franchisor’s recruitment and approval process. With an existing store you can test real results: reconcile the profit and loss to BAS lodgements, POS reports and bank statements, check whether the seller’s own hours are paid, and look at how much of the remaining lease term you’re buying. A store with a short lease left may need a refit or a renegotiation soon after you take over.
How Franchise Co. can help with a Soul Origin purchase
We work with buyers and owners of franchise businesses across Australia. For a Soul Origin store we can:
- Review the numbers before you sign. Our business due diligence starts from $2,000 + GST and tests the store price, fees, lease, labour and sales forecast against the disclosure document and, for a resale, the seller’s records.
- Set up the structure and the books. Entity choice, GST, payroll and a chart of accounts that separates in-store, catering and delivery sales. See accounting and tax and bookkeeping, BAS and payroll.
- Check your franchise fees. We reconcile royalty and marketing fees to the sales they’re calculated on. See royalties and franchise fees.
- Plan the next store. If a second site is on the cards, we model the cash flow and funding first. See multi-site reporting.
Soul Origin franchise FAQs
How much does a Soul Origin franchise cost?
Soul Origin publishes ranges by format: Piccolo from about $320,000 + GST, Traditional about $425,000 to $525,000 + GST and Bespoke from $600,000 + GST. Training ($15,000 + GST), documentation ($3,500 + GST) and working capital are extra.
Do I need hospitality experience to run a Soul Origin?
No. Soul Origin says no prior food or coffee experience is required and provides a six-week training program. You do need to work full time in the store for the first 6 to 12 months.
How much working capital does a Soul Origin need?
Soul Origin suggests roughly 10% of the initial investment as a guide and asks partners to get independent advice. We work it out from your own forecast, lease and wage costs.
Can I buy more than one Soul Origin store?
Yes. Soul Origin has multi-site operators and invites partners who want to expand to apply. Model the group cash flow and funding before committing to a second store.
Franchise Co. is an independent accounting practice. We aren’t affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Soul Origin. Soul Origin is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to identify the brand this guide discusses.
Sources and further reading
- Soul Origin: Franchise opportunities
- Soul Origin: Franchising FAQs
- Soul Origin: Regional franchise opportunity
- Franchise Business: Soul Origin listing
- 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.
