From the filings

HQ-led decisions

Best Cafe - Franchises

Quick service restaurant

Best Cafe is a quick-service restaurant franchisor headquartered in Texas with 92 total units, of which 30 are franchised and 62 are company-owned. The 2026 FDD names the corporate officers who set technology and procurement policy, and Item 11 requires franchisees to use a designated Technology System for POS, back-office, online ordering, and payments. For software vendors, the addressable market is the 30 franchised cafes plus the franchisor's own 62 company-owned locations.

For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.

Live signals

Total units
92
30 franchised
Franchised outlet growth
-6.25%
Item 20, last two year-ends
AUV
—
Item 19
Royalty
5% component; full terms unconfirmed
percentage component
Ad fund
1.25%
percentage component
Initial fee
$40K
per unit
Investment range
$1.10M–$2.35M
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
No claims
from the filing

Ordinary royalty terms

5% component; full terms unconfirmed

Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing.

Recorded percentage components

These are recorded percentage components. Each has its own base and conditions; the chart does not state the total payment or confirm ad-fund completeness.

1recorded components (FY2026)

Recorded percentage components (FY2026)Ad fund 1.25%. Components use their own filing bases and conditions. Drawn against a 15% reference scale.

15% reference

Ad fund 1.25%

Mandated & recommended tech

The systems vendors compete with

Systems named in Item 11 of this filing. None is recorded as mandated here, which is not the same as the filing mandating nothing. Read Item 11 before treating the category as open.

FacebookMeta
MarketingItem 11

If purchased from a source other than us or our affiliates, these materials must comply with federal and local laws and regulations and with the guidelines for marketing and promotions promulgated periodically by us or our designee and must be submitted to us or our designee at least 30 days before first use for our approval, which we may grant or withhold in our sole discretion. Your advertising may not contain any statement or material which, in our sole discretion, may be considered: (1) in bad taste or offensive to the public or to any group of persons; (2) defamatory of any person or an attack on any competitor; (3) to infringe upon the use, without permission, of any other persons’ trade name, trademark, service mark or identification; or (4) inconsistent with the public image of the System or the Marks. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.), blogging and vlogging accounts, file or media sharing accounts, applications, mobile applications, keyword or AdWord purchasing programs, e-mail marketing campaigns, or other means of digital advertising on the Internet or any electronic communications network that are intended to promote the Marks, your Franchised Cafe, and the entire network of Cafes (collectively, “Digital Marketing”). We will control all aspects of any Digital Marketing, including those related to your Franchised Cafe. Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you and your employees may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that use the Marks or that relate to the Franchised Cafe or the network. If we do permit you or your employees to conduct any Digital Marketing, you or your employees must comply with any policies, standards, guidelines, or content requirements that we establish periodically and must immediately modify or delete any Digital Marketing that we determine, in our sole discretion, is not compliant with such policies, standards, guidelines, or requirements. We may withdraw our approval for any Digital Marketing at any time.

InstagramMeta
MarketingItem 11

If purchased from a source other than us or our affiliates, these materials must comply with federal and local laws and regulations and with the guidelines for marketing and promotions promulgated periodically by us or our designee and must be submitted to us or our designee at least 30 days before first use for our approval, which we may grant or withhold in our sole discretion. Your advertising may not contain any statement or material which, in our sole discretion, may be considered: (1) in bad taste or offensive to the public or to any group of persons; (2) defamatory of any person or an attack on any competitor; (3) to infringe upon the use, without permission, of any other persons’ trade name, trademark, service mark or identification; or (4) inconsistent with the public image of the System or the Marks. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.), blogging and vlogging accounts, file or media sharing accounts, applications, mobile applications, keyword or AdWord purchasing programs, e-mail marketing campaigns, or other means of digital advertising on the Internet or any electronic communications network that are intended to promote the Marks, your Franchised Cafe, and the entire network of Cafes (collectively, “Digital Marketing”). We will control all aspects of any Digital Marketing, including those related to your Franchised Cafe. Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you and your employees may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that use the Marks or that relate to the Franchised Cafe or the network. If we do permit you or your employees to conduct any Digital Marketing, you or your employees must comply with any policies, standards, guidelines, or content requirements that we establish periodically and must immediately modify or delete any Digital Marketing that we determine, in our sole discretion, is not compliant with such policies, standards, guidelines, or requirements. We may withdraw our approval for any Digital Marketing at any time.

LinkedInLinkedIn
MarketingItem 11

If purchased from a source other than us or our affiliates, these materials must comply with federal and local laws and regulations and with the guidelines for marketing and promotions promulgated periodically by us or our designee and must be submitted to us or our designee at least 30 days before first use for our approval, which we may grant or withhold in our sole discretion. Your advertising may not contain any statement or material which, in our sole discretion, may be considered: (1) in bad taste or offensive to the public or to any group of persons; (2) defamatory of any person or an attack on any competitor; (3) to infringe upon the use, without permission, of any other persons’ trade name, trademark, service mark or identification; or (4) inconsistent with the public image of the System or the Marks. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.), blogging and vlogging accounts, file or media sharing accounts, applications, mobile applications, keyword or AdWord purchasing programs, e-mail marketing campaigns, or other means of digital advertising on the Internet or any electronic communications network that are intended to promote the Marks, your Franchised Cafe, and the entire network of Cafes (collectively, “Digital Marketing”). We will control all aspects of any Digital Marketing, including those related to your Franchised Cafe. Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you and your employees may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that use the Marks or that relate to the Franchised Cafe or the network. If we do permit you or your employees to conduct any Digital Marketing, you or your employees must comply with any policies, standards, guidelines, or content requirements that we establish periodically and must immediately modify or delete any Digital Marketing that we determine, in our sole discretion, is not compliant with such policies, standards, guidelines, or requirements. We may withdraw our approval for any Digital Marketing at any time.

PinterestPinterest
MarketingItem 11

If purchased from a source other than us or our affiliates, these materials must comply with federal and local laws and regulations and with the guidelines for marketing and promotions promulgated periodically by us or our designee and must be submitted to us or our designee at least 30 days before first use for our approval, which we may grant or withhold in our sole discretion. Your advertising may not contain any statement or material which, in our sole discretion, may be considered: (1) in bad taste or offensive to the public or to any group of persons; (2) defamatory of any person or an attack on any competitor; (3) to infringe upon the use, without permission, of any other persons’ trade name, trademark, service mark or identification; or (4) inconsistent with the public image of the System or the Marks. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.), blogging and vlogging accounts, file or media sharing accounts, applications, mobile applications, keyword or AdWord purchasing programs, e-mail marketing campaigns, or other means of digital advertising on the Internet or any electronic communications network that are intended to promote the Marks, your Franchised Cafe, and the entire network of Cafes (collectively, “Digital Marketing”). We will control all aspects of any Digital Marketing, including those related to your Franchised Cafe. Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you and your employees may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that use the Marks or that relate to the Franchised Cafe or the network. If we do permit you or your employees to conduct any Digital Marketing, you or your employees must comply with any policies, standards, guidelines, or content requirements that we establish periodically and must immediately modify or delete any Digital Marketing that we determine, in our sole discretion, is not compliant with such policies, standards, guidelines, or requirements. We may withdraw our approval for any Digital Marketing at any time.

TikTokTikTok
MarketingItem 11

If purchased from a source other than us or our affiliates, these materials must comply with federal and local laws and regulations and with the guidelines for marketing and promotions promulgated periodically by us or our designee and must be submitted to us or our designee at least 30 days before first use for our approval, which we may grant or withhold in our sole discretion. Your advertising may not contain any statement or material which, in our sole discretion, may be considered: (1) in bad taste or offensive to the public or to any group of persons; (2) defamatory of any person or an attack on any competitor; (3) to infringe upon the use, without permission, of any other persons’ trade name, trademark, service mark or identification; or (4) inconsistent with the public image of the System or the Marks. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.), blogging and vlogging accounts, file or media sharing accounts, applications, mobile applications, keyword or AdWord purchasing programs, e-mail marketing campaigns, or other means of digital advertising on the Internet or any electronic communications network that are intended to promote the Marks, your Franchised Cafe, and the entire network of Cafes (collectively, “Digital Marketing”). We will control all aspects of any Digital Marketing, including those related to your Franchised Cafe. Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you and your employees may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that use the Marks or that relate to the Franchised Cafe or the network. If we do permit you or your employees to conduct any Digital Marketing, you or your employees must comply with any policies, standards, guidelines, or content requirements that we establish periodically and must immediately modify or delete any Digital Marketing that we determine, in our sole discretion, is not compliant with such policies, standards, guidelines, or requirements. We may withdraw our approval for any Digital Marketing at any time.

TwitterX
MarketingItem 11

If purchased from a source other than us or our affiliates, these materials must comply with federal and local laws and regulations and with the guidelines for marketing and promotions promulgated periodically by us or our designee and must be submitted to us or our designee at least 30 days before first use for our approval, which we may grant or withhold in our sole discretion. Your advertising may not contain any statement or material which, in our sole discretion, may be considered: (1) in bad taste or offensive to the public or to any group of persons; (2) defamatory of any person or an attack on any competitor; (3) to infringe upon the use, without permission, of any other persons’ trade name, trademark, service mark or identification; or (4) inconsistent with the public image of the System or the Marks. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.), blogging and vlogging accounts, file or media sharing accounts, applications, mobile applications, keyword or AdWord purchasing programs, e-mail marketing campaigns, or other means of digital advertising on the Internet or any electronic communications network that are intended to promote the Marks, your Franchised Cafe, and the entire network of Cafes (collectively, “Digital Marketing”). We will control all aspects of any Digital Marketing, including those related to your Franchised Cafe. Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you and your employees may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that use the Marks or that relate to the Franchised Cafe or the network. If we do permit you or your employees to conduct any Digital Marketing, you or your employees must comply with any policies, standards, guidelines, or content requirements that we establish periodically and must immediately modify or delete any Digital Marketing that we determine, in our sole discretion, is not compliant with such policies, standards, guidelines, or requirements. We may withdraw our approval for any Digital Marketing at any time.

Franchisor behaviours

What the franchisor requires

26 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 1 explicit no; 7 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.

Accounting

Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?

Yes

Item 11

(d) do all things necessary to give us unrestricted access to the Technology System at all times (including users IDs and passwords, if necessary) so that we may at any time independently download and transfer data via a connection that we specify;

How the franchisor buys

Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?

Yes

Item 8

We are the only approved supplier of certain information technology services with regard to menu management.

Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?

Yes

Item 11

We currently have a Franchise Advisory Council (“FAC”) that is typically comprised of five members elected by franchisees.

Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?

Yes

Item 8

We may, at any time, in our discretion, change, delete, or add to any of our specifications or quality standards or any other element of the System.

Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?

Yes

Item 8

Our affiliate, Best Cafe Enterprises, LLC has entered into arrangements with several suppliers that have agreed to pay rebates or commissions to Best Cafe Enterprises, LLC based on purchases made by franchised and Company-Owned Cafes.

Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?

90

Item 8

We estimate that the purchase of products that are subject to our standards and specifications represents approximately 90% of your overall purchases in establishing and operating the Franchised Cafe.

Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?

Yes

Item 6

New Product and Our costs of reviewing In advance of See Item 8 for a description of the supplier Supplier Testing the application and any review of the approval process. inspecting the application proposed supplier’s facilities, equipment and food products and all product testing costs paid by us to third parties…

Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?

Yes

Item 8

Supplier Approval Process If you desire to procure Non-Proprietary Products from a supplier other than one previously approved or designated by us, you must deliver written notice to us which must:

Communications

Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?

Yes

Item 17

Your obligations on Sections 18.4 and Obligations include, but are not limited to: cease to operate termination/ 19 the Franchised Cafe; cease use of the System, the Marks, the nonrenewal Manual and the Confidential Information; complete de- identification (if we do not exercise our option to purchase); return all…

Data and IT

Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 8

You also are required to comply with our standards for processing electronic payments and all other standards, laws, rules and regulations applicable to electronic payments that may be published from time to time by payment card companies and applicable to electronic payments including the Payment Card Industry…

Franchise management

Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?

Yes

Item 11

We will periodically inspect the Franchised Cafe and its operations to assist your operations and ensure compliance with the System.

Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?

Yes

Item 14

We may revise the contents of the Manual, and you must comply with each new or changed section.

Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?

Yes

Item 11

You must select a site that we approve in writing (the “Site”), and you must fully execute a lease or sublease that we have approved for the Site or fully execute a deed for the Site and submit such deed for recordation by the Site Acquisition Deadline that you and we agree to in your Franchise Agreement and/or your…

Marketing

Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?

Yes

Item 11

Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you and your employees may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that use the Marks or that relate to the Franchised Cafe or the network.

Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?

Yes

Item 11

In addition to the Field Marketing expenditure requirements (as described in Item 6 and below), you must, during the period beginning 30 days before the scheduled opening of the Franchised Cafe and continuing for 180 days after the Franchised Cafe first opens for business, spend at least $15,000 to conduct grand…

Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?

Yes

Item 11

Currently, you must contribute 1.25% of the Gross Sales of the Franchised Cafe to the National Marketing Fund, and you must spend 1% of the Gross Sales of the Franchised Cafe for Field Marketing as described below.

Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?

Yes

Item 8

You are required to accept debit cards, credit cards, stored value gift cards or other non-cash payment systems, including participation in loyalty programs, specified by us to enable customers to purchase authorized products and to obtain all necessary hardware and/or software used in connection with these non-cash…

Operations

Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?

Yes

Item 8

You must purchase those Proprietary Products only from us or a third party designated and licensed by us to prepare and sell those products.

Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?

Yes

Item 8

You must purchase those Proprietary Products only from us or a third party designated and licensed by us to prepare and sell those products.

Payments

Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 11

We currently require you to purchase and use the hardware and software that we designate for your point of sale system, back-office system, office software, switch and firewall, backup system, wi-fi, Corner Bakery – 04/26 FDD 25 online ordering platform, catering ordering platform, and payment processing platform.

Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?

Yes

Item 6

(2) You must participate in our electronic funds transfer program authorizing us to utilize a pre-authorized bank draft system to sweep your business checking account (“Electronic Depository Transfer Account” or “EDTA”) for any amounts owed to us under the Franchise Agreement and any other agreements with us.

Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?

Yes

Item 8

For each Franchised Cafe, you must sign our Stored Value Gift Card Program Franchisee Participation Agreement that is attached as Appendix F to the Franchise Agreement.

People

Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?

Yes

Item 15

Cafe Management. For a six-month period following the opening, the Franchised Cafe shall at all times be under the on-site supervision of your Operating Partner, Multi-Unit Manager or General Manager and three Managers (one of whom may be a Shift Supervisor if approved by us) who meet all applicable training…

Point of sale

Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 11

Systems You must purchase and use in your Franchised Cafe the Technology System that we designate in the Manual.

Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?

Yes

Item 11

There are no contractual limitations on our right to access information and data stored on your Technology System.

Training

Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?

Yes

Item 11

We may charge a tuition fee for additional training programs and you will be required to pay all meals, lodging, other living expenses and transportation costs incurred by your employees while attending the training.

The filing answers no to 1 question
  • Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?Item 11

The vendor opportunity at Best Cafe

Best Cafe operates 92 total units — 62 company-owned and 30 franchised — making it a compact but concentrated target for software vendors. The franchisor is headquartered in Texas and is part of Best Cafe, LLC. Franchised outlets declined 6.25% year over year, so the near-term opportunity skews toward the company-owned side and any franchisees that remain active. The FDD makes no financial performance representation in Item 19, so no average unit volume figure is available.

Who controls software purchasing

Item 2 names the officers who set policy: Jeff Hetsel (Chief Brand Officer), Erin Hasselgren (President), Dan Patel (Vice President and Chief Financial Officer), Cheryl Green (Chief People Officer), and Keith Kemplay (Chief Accounting Officer). The franchisor designates the Technology System that franchisees must use, which means HQ — not individual franchisees — is the primary buyer for POS, back-office, online ordering, and payment processing software. Vendors should target the brand and finance leadership named in Item 2.

Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required

Item 11 requires franchisees to purchase and use the Technology System the franchisor designates in the Manual. The filing states that the Technology System must record all sales, update inventory, manage customer contact information, generate sales reports, offer free wi-fi, and provide other operational services. The franchisor currently requires franchisees to purchase and use designated hardware and software for the point-of-sale system, back-office system, office software, switch and firewall, backup system, wi-fi, online ordering platform, catering ordering platform, and payment processing platform. Franchisees must also accept debit cards, credit cards, stored value gift cards, and other non-cash payment systems specified by the franchisor, and obtain all necessary hardware and software for those systems. The FDD names Facebook by Meta, Instagram by Meta, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, and Twitter by X in Item 11.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

Item 8 establishes an approved-supplier list. Franchisees must buy Proprietary Products only from the franchisor or a third party designated and licensed by the franchisor. Non-Proprietary Products must come from an Approved Supplier or an alternative Approved Supplier that the franchisor designates or approves. The franchisor is the only approved supplier of certain information technology services related to menu management. Franchisees may propose a supplier for approval. These renewal events are natural windows for technology evaluation.

How to read the Best Cafe FDD

The embedded PDF below is Best Cafe's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. For software vendors, the key sections are Item 8 (supplier restrictions), Item 11 (technology and training obligations), Item 17 (renewal and termination), and Item 20 (outlet counts). Talk to FranCloud for a ranked target list built from this filing and comparable franchise systems.

Ordinary royalty terms

Complete royalty terms are not confirmed.

Questions vendors ask

Best Cafe - Franchises, answered from the filing

Item 2 names Jeff Hetsel (Chief Brand Officer), Erin Hasselgren (President), Dan Patel (VP & CFO), Cheryl Green (Chief People Officer), and Keith Kemplay (Chief Accounting Officer). The franchisor designates the Technology System, so HQ controls core software decisions.
Item 11 requires franchisees to purchase and use the hardware and software the franchisor designates for POS, back-office, office software, switch and firewall, backup, wi-fi, online ordering, catering ordering, and payment processing. The FDD names Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, and Twitter by X in Item 11.
The 2026 FDD reports 92 total units: 62 company-owned and 30 franchised. Franchised outlets declined 6.25% year over year.
Item 8 uses an approved-supplier list. Franchisees must buy Proprietary Products from the franchisor or its designee, and Non-Proprietary Products from an Approved Supplier. The franchisor is the only approved supplier of certain IT services for menu management.
The initial franchise term is 20 years, with two renewal terms of 10 years each. Renewal requires notice 6–12 months before term end and a remodel, creating periodic technology refresh opportunities.
The embedded PDF viewer below contains Best Cafe's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Review Items 8, 11, and 17 for supplier rules, technology requirements, and renewal terms.
Source

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Ownership

The portfolio behind Best Cafe - Franchises

Parent company: Best Cafe, LLC.

Related Quick service restaurant brands

Primary franchise filings · updated October 2026. Read the original filing for definitions, conditions, and qualifications.