Now new business owners can buy into a franchise that offers coffee with a side of serious cuteness.
This week, the Orlando Cat Café announced the launch of its new franchise model, which it claims is the first of its kind for a cat café.
For those unfamiliar with the furry concept, cat cafés are essentially coffee houses that also house adoptable shelter cats. Customers generally pay a fee in addition to any beverages purchased to have the opportunity to play and interact with the café’s cats. The ultimate goal is to help more shelter pets to get adopted.
Since the first cat café, Cat Flower Garden, launched in Taiwan in 1998, independently owned cat cafes saw the most interest and growth in Japan, as most apartments are too small for pets. Per USA Today, the U.S. is now the global cat café leader, with approximately 240 operating nationwide.
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The Orlando Cat Café is in Clermont, Florida, and offers beverages and baked goods while customers interact with adoptable cats in a dedicated lounge. Since opening in 2016, the café has helped facilitate over 2,800 adoptions in partnership with SPCA of Florida, per the brand.
The Café’s franchise model offers new business owners “turnkey support, including site selection, training, operational guidance, and marketing assistance.” The café has many established relationships with animal welfare organizations, which will help “ensure the same high standard of care and adoption support.”
"This is more than just a business; it's a movement to create spaces where people can unwind, connect, and make a difference in the lives of rescue cats,” said Sandra Cagan, founder and CEO of the Orlando Cat Café. “We've fine-tuned the model here in Orlando, and now we're ready to share it with the world."
The franchisee package includes: “comprehensive training and support for new owners and staff; a detailed operations manual to ensure consistent quality; assistance in designing and building a welcoming café and cat lounge; marketing and promotional resources to attract and retain customers and ongoing consultation to ensure long-term success.”
More information on becoming an Orlando Cat Café franchisee can be found at the company’s website.