Ajays Cafe Franchise Cost, Royalty Fees, Profit, Eligibility & More

Ajay’s Café is one of India’s fastest-growing Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and café brands, especially popular for its cold coffees, burgers, pizzas, and affordable snacks. Started in Gujarat, it has expanded rapidly across multiple cities and offers an affordable franchise model that appeals to new and experienced entrepreneurs. This guide covers investment cost (INR), franchise fee & royalty, profit margin & ROI, space and manpower needs, franchisor support, pros & cons, eligibility criteria, application process, risks, FAQs, and conclusion — all written in clear, easy English.

☕ What Is Ajay’s Café Franchise?

Ajay’s Café is a modern QSR and café brand known for affordable fast-food items like cold coffee, burgers, pizzas, shakes, and quick bites. Founded in Navsari, Gujarat, the chain has grown into a multi-city presence with more than 200 outlets across India as of 2025. It targets youth, students, office workers, and families who prefer quick, tasty, and cost-effective food.

💰 Investment Cost (INR)

Ajay’s Café prides itself on low capital requirements compared with many other food franchises.

👉 Ajay’s also offers an innovative COFO (Company-Owned, Franchise-Operated) model where franchisees pay a nominal commitment fee (~₹1 Lakh) and the brand handles most setup tasks. This lowers barriers for first-time entrepreneurs.

💼 Franchise Fee & Royalty

One of the biggest advantages of Ajay’s Café is its no-fee model:

• Franchise Fee: ₹0 No franchise or brand fee
• Royalty / Commission: ₹0 No ongoing royalty

This means franchisees retain 100% of net revenue after expenses, helping improve profitability and cash flow.

📈 Profit Margin & ROI

Ajay’s Café has a proven unit economics model with competitive margins and relatively quick returns if well-managed.

📌 Real figures vary with city, location quality, and management discipline. High footfall areas like colleges and corporate hubs may perform better.

🏢 Space & Manpower Needs

📍 Space Requirements

Small, well-placed outlets near colleges, office clusters, malls, or busy market streets tend to attract steady customer flow.

👥 Manpower

• 3 – 6 employees including service staff, kitchen helpers, and a cashier.
• Chefless kitchen system reduces dependency on skilled chefs, easing hiring and training.

🤝 Franchisor Support

Ajay’s Café provides comprehensive support to new franchise partners:

✔ Site selection assistance and outlet planning.
✔ Turnkey setup including interiors, furniture, and equipment.
✔ Menu standardisation and operational manuals.
✔ Training for owner & staff on service, hygiene, and POS.
✔ Marketing & brand support with promotional strategies.
✔ Supply chain assistance for raw materials.

This holistic support helps reduce early mistakes and accelerates business setup with confidence.

👍 Pros & 👎 Cons

✅ Pros

✔ Low initial investment compared to many café franchises (~₹8 – ₹12 L).
✔ No franchise fee or royalty — retain most profits.
✔ Fast ROI (12–15 months) with efficient operations.
✔ Chefless kitchen model eases staffing challenges.
✔ Strong brand support and training for franchisees.

❌ Cons

❗ Competition in the QSR sector is intense with many established brands.
❗ Revenue depends heavily on location quality and footfall.
❗ Franchisees need good operational discipline to maintain margins.

📋 Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for an Ajay’s Café franchise:

✔ Investment capacity: Around ₹8 – ₹12 L (standard model) or ~₹1 L for COFO.
✔ Minimum age: 21 years or older.
✔ Commercial space: Minimum ~200 sq.ft. (varies by model).
✔ Passion for F&B and customer service.
✔ Basic management skills (experience helps but not mandatory).
✔ Legal licences: GST, FSSAI, Shop/Trade registration.

✍️ Application Process

1. Initial Enquiry: Fill out the franchise application on Ajay’s Café website or contact the brand directly.
2. Submit Profile & Location: Share your investment capacity and proposed outlet location.
3. Site Evaluation: Brand team studies footfall and viability.
4. Agreement & Documentation: Sign contract; prepare legal and financial papers.
5. Outlet Setup: Complete fit-out and staff training with brand support.
6. Launch & Marketing: Open your café and begin operations with launch promotions.

⚠️ Risks to Consider

• Location risk: Poor footfall directly hits sales and profit.
• Competition: QSR space is crowded; differentiating your outlet is key.
• Operational hazards: Staff management, food waste, and rising costs affect margins.
• Lease deposits and rent: Not included in the investment estimate and can vary widely.

❓ FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. How much does an Ajay’s Café franchise cost in India?
A: Typically ₹8 – ₹12 Lakh for a full outlet, with a low-cost COFO model (~₹1 Lakh) also available.

Q2. Are there franchise or royalty fees?
A: No — Ajay’s Café generally charges zero franchise fee and zero royalty.

Q3. What space is required?
A: Around 200 – 400 sq.ft. for standard outlets; smaller for COFO.

Q4. How long until break-even?
A: Most outlets aim for 12–15 months to recover the investment.

Q5. Is prior food experience required?
A: Not mandatory; the brand provides training.

🏁 Conclusion

The Ajay’s Café franchise is one of India’s most affordable and accessible QSR franchise opportunities, with low capital requirements, zero franchise fees or royalties, and strong brand support. With judicious location choice, disciplined operations, and customer-centric service, this model can deliver healthy profit margins and quick ROI — especially in high-footfall areas like college zones, office hubs, and busy streets. Always verify terms directly with the franchisor before investing.