Best cafe franchise in India options are growing rapidly as café culture continues to boom across the country. What were once simple beverage outlets have now evolved into lively hubs where people connect, collaborate, and build relationships. For aspiring business owners, investing in a reputed café franchise presents a promising opportunity to run a profitable venture.
With the café industry showing consistent growth, investors are increasingly attracted to it, driven by shifting food and lifestyle preferences. Millennials and Gen Z, in particular, are seeking unique coffee experiences and trendy dining spaces, which has fueled the demand for branded café outlets. Franchising, in this context, offers the dual advantage of leveraging an established brand while also benefiting from local expertise. Choosing the right franchise partner becomes the key factor that can determine whether your café journey leads to long-term success or unforeseen hurdles. [Learn about India’s growing café culture]
Best Cafe Franchise in India for 10 Lakhs
Here are some good café franchises in India that fall under ~₹10 lakhs (or close), along with their details and why they suit low-budget investors well.
Yum Sandwich Café
With an investment requirement of around ₹5–10 lakhs, Yum Sandwich Café is an excellent entry point for aspiring café owners. The brand specializes in sandwiches and light café snacks, making it easy to operate with a simple menu. Its adaptable outlet formats allow entrepreneurs to set up in smaller spaces with minimal staff. Thanks to its low setup costs and straightforward operations, investors can often achieve breakeven within 12–16 months, making it an attractive option for those seeking quick returns.
Chai Sutta Bar
Requiring an investment of about ₹7–9 lakhs, Chai Sutta Bar has become one of the most recognizable tea café chains in India. Known for its casual atmosphere and youth-centric appeal, the franchise offers a wide range of teas paired with snacks. Its affordable investment, strong market demand, and established brand reputation make it especially appealing for first-time investors. With a simplified menu and healthy margins, Chai Sutta Bar provides a balance of low risk and strong earning potential.
Belgian Waffle Co.
For those interested in a niche dessert-focused business, Belgian Waffle Co. is a great choice with an investment of roughly ₹8–10 lakhs. The brand has carved out a distinct identity by specializing in waffles with creative toppings and flavors. It requires a relatively small setup and minimal kitchen infrastructure, which reduces operational complexity. Its popularity among walk-in customers and dessert lovers ensures consistent footfall, while its compact outlet model makes it ideal for locations with limited space.
One Bite Café
With investment options ranging from ₹8–15 lakhs, One Bite Café offers flexibility for those who want to operate closer to the ₹10 lakh mark. The brand combines the appeal of both food and dessert items, creating a café atmosphere that caters to a wide audience. Its menu variety and comfortable ambiance help attract both dine-in and takeaway customers. For investors working with a moderate budget, One Bite Café provides an opportunity to operate a more versatile café concept without significantly exceeding the ₹10 lakh range.
Coffee Day Xpress
An investment of ₹5–8 lakhs is all it takes to start a Coffee Day Xpress franchise, making it one of the most budget-friendly café options. Designed as a kiosk-style format, it offers the credibility of the Coffee Day brand while keeping costs low. Its compact setup ensures minimal infrastructure and staff requirements, making it easy to manage. With brand recognition already working in its favor, Coffee Day Xpress enables investors to tap into an established customer base and enjoy quicker returns on investment.
Best Cafe Franchise in India for 10 to 20 Lakhs
Brewbakes Café
With an investment of about ₹10–12 lakhs, Brewbakes Café has quickly gained popularity, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The brand blends the charm of a café with bakery offerings, giving customers more variety. It offers different formats ranging from kiosks to lounge-style outlets, making it flexible for investors. Brewbakes also provides strong support in location scouting, training, and marketing, which reduces risks for first-time entrepreneurs. For investors, the moderate capital requirement paired with scalability makes it a smart choice within the 10–12 lakh bracket.
Tealogy Café
Tealogy Café requires an investment of around ₹10–20 lakhs and has built a name around its signature kulhad tea and café snacks. Designed to fit easily in commercial complexes, public areas, and mid-sized markets, the franchise balances affordability with high customer appeal. Since the concept is tea-driven, setup costs remain lower compared to full-scale coffee cafés. Investors also benefit from the growing demand for hygienic tea outlets, and many report attractive returns within one to two years. This makes Tealogy a strong pick for those looking at moderate budgets with solid ROI potential.
Café Coffee Day (CCD)
One of India’s most recognized café brands, Café Coffee Day offers franchise models that can be set up for approximately ₹10–15 lakhs, depending on the location and size. With its nationwide popularity and established supply chain, CCD outlets attract consistent footfall and have wide customer appeal. For investors, the biggest advantage is brand recognition — marketing costs are minimal, and customers are already familiar with the offerings. Entering the café business under such a trusted name ensures stability and credibility, making it a safer bet in the 10–15 lakh range.
Chai Point
Positioned at around ₹15–18 lakhs, Chai Point has made a strong mark as a modern tea café brand. It blends traditional tea with a contemporary café experience, making it especially popular in metro cities and IT hubs. The brand focuses on quality, hygiene, and innovation in beverages, which appeals strongly to working professionals and urban youth. For investors, Chai Point offers the benefit of a well-developed brand identity and strong demand in urban markets, making it a premium yet reliable option within the 10–20 lakh investment range.
In a Nutshell
The café industry in India is brimming with opportunities, whether you’re starting small with an investment under ₹10 lakhs or aiming for a more versatile model in the ₹10–20 lakh range. From budget-friendly kiosks like Coffee Day Xpress to youth-driven concepts such as Baithack and premium names like Chai Point or Café Coffee Day, there is a franchise option to suit every investor’s vision and capital. [Learn more about Baithack Café] The key lies in aligning your budget with the right brand, location, and customer base. With café culture continuing to flourish across cities and towns, choosing the right franchise partner today could pave the way for a thriving, long-term business tomorrow.