How to Finance a Makenna Koffee Co. Franchise: Island Lattes
By Anthony Cornella
A Makenna Koffee Co. franchise loan funds a beach-inspired coffee bar known for signature drinks such as the Maui Latte and Sandy Blonde rather than a traditional cafe menu. The brand is small and regional, invites franchise inquiries on its own website and is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, so a qualified buyer can look at both SBA and conventional financing.
Makenna does not publish its franchise fee, royalty or investment range online, so this article covers what the company does share, the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) items that drive your loan and the brand’s two SBA directory notes.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Makenna Koffee Co.; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, so review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign or borrow.
Makenna Koffee Co. Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: an island and beach-themed coffee bar built around specialty lattes, energy drinks, blended chillers, shaken drinks, refreshers and smoothies.
- Footprint: the company’s website lists 12 ordering points as of 2026, mostly in Southern California communities such as Simi Valley, Ventura, Camarillo, Oxnard and Northridge, plus a mobile coffee truck.
- Franchising: the company’s partner page invites franchise inquiries with the line “Put another Makenna on the map.”
- Fees and investment: not published online; they appear in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the FDD.
- Owner requirements: net worth and liquidity minimums are not published; ask the franchise team.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Makenna Koffee Co. (code S8940), with two notes on lease assignments and lien position explained below.
What Is Makenna Koffee Co.?
Makenna Koffee Co. is a drink-first coffee brand with a relaxed, vacation feel. Its menu is organized into Supremes, Makenna Energy, Chillers, Shaken drinks, Refreshers and Smoothies, and it leans on house signatures such as the Maui Latte, Brown Sugar Maui, Sandy Blonde, The Legend and a Horchata Latte. The company calls it an ever-evolving menu.
Formats. The locations the company lists include neighborhood shops, a location branded Beach House and a coffee truck. That mix matters for financing because a storefront, a drive-thru pad and a vehicle are underwritten differently.
How lenders view the brand. Makenna is an emerging, regional franchise rather than a national chain. Lenders will credit a loyal local following and a distinctive menu, but they will lean on the borrower’s own capital, management experience and trade area more than on system-wide data. Our article on financing an emerging franchise explains how lenders approach younger systems.
Makenna Koffee Co. Franchise Costs
Makenna does not post its franchise fee or estimated initial investment on its website. Those figures sit in the FDD, which the franchise team provides to prospective owners. Build your budget from Item 7 and from your own landlord, contractor and equipment quotes.
Initial franchise fee
Item 5 states the fee, when it is due and whether any part is refundable. Ask whether a second shop or a development agreement carries a different fee.
Real estate and build-out
Most coffee bars lease space, so the major costs are the lease deposit, rent during construction and leasehold improvements. Drink-heavy menus need plumbing for espresso machines, ice machines and hand sinks, dedicated electrical circuits for blenders and refrigeration, plus counters and brand finishes. A drive-thru adds a window, menu board and order technology.
Equipment
Expect espresso machines, grinders, high-speed blenders, ice machines, under-counter and reach-in refrigeration, cold brew equipment, a point-of-sale system and online ordering technology.
Opening costs and working capital
Plan for training travel, pre-opening payroll, opening inventory, grand opening marketing, permits, insurance and deposits, plus a reserve.
Total investment
Item 7 gives a low and high estimate for each cost and the total. Compare these categories with your own bids:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Coffee, blender, ice and refrigeration equipment
- Furniture, fixtures, decor and signage
- Point-of-sale and ordering technology
- Opening inventory and supplies
- Training, travel and grand opening marketing
- Permits, licenses, insurance and professional fees
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, any brand or marketing fund contribution, technology fees and transfer and renewal fees. Item 8 shows what you must buy from the franchisor or approved suppliers, which matters for a brand whose identity rests on proprietary drink recipes and branded ingredients.
How lenders factor these costs in. A lender builds the shop’s projected cash flow after royalties, fund contributions, product costs, rent and labor, then compares what is left with the proposed loan payments. Coffee is a high-volume, lower-ticket business, so lenders often test projections at lower transaction counts and higher labor than your base case.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Makenna does not publish minimum net worth, liquid capital or experience requirements on its website. Its partner page simply invites anyone interested in franchising to contact the franchise team by email.
The approval process. Expect to submit an inquiry, receive the FDD, discuss available markets and go through the company’s review before signing. Ask early what liquidity and net worth Makenna expects, because lenders will want to see that you can meet those levels with cash you already have, before any Makenna Koffee Co. franchise loan closes.
Ways to Own a Makenna Koffee Co.
A new franchise shop. With a small system, most buyers will open a new location. A start-up loan is underwritten on projections, the buyer’s experience and personal financial strength. Our franchise start-up financing page explains how these loans are structured.
Buying an existing shop. If an existing location comes up for sale, a lender can underwrite its real sales history. The buyer still needs the franchisor’s approval and must meet the transfer conditions in Item 17. Our article on buying a coffee shop covers what to review in a cafe purchase.
A mobile unit. The company operates a coffee truck. If the FDD allows a truck or trailer as a franchise format, the vehicle and its equipment are usually financed as equipment rather than real estate.
Financing Options for a Makenna Koffee Co. Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because Makenna is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can cover build-out, equipment, the franchise fee and working capital in a single loan for a borrower who qualifies.
SBA 504 loans. An SBA 504 loan fits a buyer who purchases or builds a building, such as a drive-thru pad, and occupies it. For a leased storefront it is rarely the main tool.
Conventional term loans. Buyers with strong credit, liquidity and food service experience may qualify for conventional business loans, which can be useful for experienced operators adding units.
Equipment financing. Espresso machines, blenders, ice machines, refrigeration and a coffee truck build-out can be financed on their own, preserving cash for opening costs. See our restaurant equipment financing and leasing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. A new shop needs a cushion while it builds regulars, and drink menus with rotating flavors mean ongoing inventory purchases. Learn about restaurant working capital for payroll and inventory.
Seller financing on resales. When buying an existing shop, a seller may agree to carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA programs may limit how they are structured.
SBA Loans for Makenna Koffee Co. Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. SBA lenders generally require a brand to be listed before they can make an SBA-guaranteed loan to one of its franchisees. A listing does not approve any borrower.
Makenna’s listing. Makenna Koffee Co. appears under code S8940 with two notes.
Note one: the lease assignment option. Some franchise agreements give the franchisor an option to take over the franchisee’s lease. The directory says that when the real estate where the shop is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the document called the Option to Obtain a Lease Assignment may not be executed. In plain terms, if you own the property and pledge it as collateral, that lease option is not signed.
Note two: lien position. The lender must make sure it obtains the correct lien position on all collateral, as SBA rules require.
Application tips. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Loans are sized to projected cash flow and collateral, not to the cap, so a detailed plan and real quotes matter. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a Makenna Koffee Co. Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and typically require a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Expect to put your own cash into the project and keep reserves after closing.
Industry and management experience. Experience running a coffee shop, restaurant or retail team strengthens the application, especially for a young brand.
Business plan and projections. Model morning and afternoon traffic, average ticket, labor around peak hours, the cost of blended and specialty drinks and the ramp-up for a new shop. If you open outside the brand’s home region, explain how you will build awareness.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the franchise term, renewal and transfer terms, territory rights and default provisions. Our article on how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document explains which items matter most.
Site, lease and history. The lease should run at least as long as the loan. For a resale, expect to provide several years of the shop’s financial statements and tax returns.
Equipment and Build-Out for a Drink-First Menu
A Makenna menu leans on cold, blended and shaken drinks as much as hot espresso. That puts heavy demands on ice production, blenders and refrigeration, and those machines run all day. Ask the franchisor for the required equipment package and approved models, get service contract quotes and size your electrical and plumbing work before you sign the lease. Financing equipment separately keeps the main Makenna Koffee Co. franchise loan smaller and matches payments to each machine’s useful life.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
If you sign for more than one shop, the development schedule in your agreement drives your financing calendar. Once the first shop has a track record, a lender can use its results to support the next one. Read our article on multi-unit franchise financing for how lenders view growing operators.
Real-World Scenarios
A regular turned owner. A longtime customer with retail management experience signs for a shop near a high school and a shopping center. She uses an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out, equipment and the franchise fee, contributes her own cash and keeps a reserve for the first months.
A drive-thru buyer. An investor-operator buys a small pad site and builds a drive-thru shop, using an SBA 504 loan for the land and building and financing the drink equipment separately. Because the property secures the loan, the lease assignment option is not used.
An operator adding a truck. An existing franchisee adds a coffee truck for events, financing the vehicle and its equipment on their own terms after confirming the format with the franchisor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on investment figures from outside sources instead of the current FDD
- Underestimating ice, blender and refrigeration capacity for a cold-drink menu
- Ignoring Item 8 supply requirements when projecting product costs
- Assuming a new market will know the brand as well as its home region does
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Opening with too little working capital for the ramp-up
For more pitfalls in food service, read the restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Makenna Koffee Co. Franchise
Step 1: Contact the franchise team. Request the current FDD and ask about markets, formats and capital expectations.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 8, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and an accountant.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist. Learn how a loan would be sized before you sign a lease.
Step 4: Find and evaluate a site. Get franchisor site approval, lease terms and contractor bids.
Step 5: Build your business plan. Prepare projections that reflect the FDD’s fees, supply costs, rent and labor.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit your loan package, align the timeline with the franchise agreement and lease, then fund the build-out and keep your reserve intact.
Makenna Koffee Co. Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Makenna Koffee Co. franchise cost?
The company does not publish its estimated initial investment online. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the full range and line items.
What are the franchise fee and royalty?
The initial fee is disclosed in Item 5 of the FDD, and the royalty and any marketing fund contribution in Item 6.
How much liquid capital do I need?
Makenna does not publish minimums. Ask the franchise team, and expect lenders to require a cash injection plus reserves after closing.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Makenna Koffee Co. franchise?
Yes, if you qualify. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8940, with notes on the lease assignment option and lien position.
What does the lease assignment note mean?
If the shop’s real estate will secure the SBA loan, the Option to Obtain a Lease Assignment is not executed. It mainly affects buyers who own their building.
Does Makenna offer franchisee financing?
The company does not advertise financing. Item 10 of the FDD discloses whether the franchisor offers any.
Can a first-time business owner get a Makenna Koffee Co. franchise loan?
Yes, if the franchisor approves you and you meet lender standards. Management experience, liquidity and a strong plan help offset a lack of ownership history.
What documents do I need?
Expect a personal financial statement, tax returns, a resume, a business plan, the FDD and franchise agreement, a lease or letter of intent and equipment quotes.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Check Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether it includes financial performance representations, and do not rely on sales claims made outside the FDD.
Final Thoughts
Makenna Koffee Co. offers a distinctive, drink-first concept with a strong local identity, but limited published franchise data. Buyers who get the FDD early, budget carefully for cold-drink equipment and understand the brand’s two SBA directory notes will be better prepared when they approach lenders.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
