Who we are
Originally founded in France in 1997 and launched in Canada in 2020, Columbus Café & Co is more than just a coffee shop brand. It is a proven, people-centric concept, built around quality coffee, freshly baked products prepared on site, and a warm customer experience.
With over 300 cafés worldwide, including 25 locations already operating in Canada, Columbus Café & Co has quickly established itself as a fast-growing and highly attractive franchise network, offering franchise partners a solid, structured, and scalable business model.Our ambition is simple : create coffee shops people love to visit, and franchise businesses owners love to operate.
A concept that truly stands out
At Columbus, everything starts with the experience. Our coffee shops are designed as welcoming places where customers naturally want to spend time, between work and home, alone or together : Become the third place of living.
What makes the difference:
- Fresh products made on site, every day
- Our signature muffins are baked directly in our coffee shops, in an open “muffinery” visible to customers. This transparency reinforces trust, quality perception, and impulse purchases. Our menu also includes cookies, pastries, sandwiches, bowls, and salads, adapted to local tastes.
- A menu that evolves constantly
- Seasonal animations, limited-time offers, and exclusive partnerships keep the offer fresh and engaging. Columbus even develops dedicated menus for local partners, strengthening community ties and driving incremental sales. A strong example: our collaboration with the Roses de Montréal, featuring exclusive drinks and muffins.
- Coffee expertise at the core
- Our baristas are trained professionals, and coffee quality is non-negotiable. Columbus serves its own exclusive blend, available only in our coffee shops.
People first: a real competitive advantage
Customer service is a major growth driver. Our baristas don’t just serve coffee, they create connections. To support this, we’re launching this year the Columbus Barista School, in partnership with the ITHQ, offering certified training programs. This ensures consistency, quality, and long-term staff retention.
Diversity, inclusion, and team engagement are embedded in our culture. We actively support employee integration and immigration processes, creating stable teams and strong store operations.
A strong and growing franchise network
Columbus Café & Co Canada is experiencing rapid and structured growth:
– Record sales growth year over year
– Increasing average ticket driven by product innovation
– Multiple new openings across Québec and Ontario (25 stores)
– Strong brand visibility through major events and partnerships
Franchise partners benefit from a proven economic model, an established brand, and continuous operational support.
Support at every step
Columbus Café & Co is a hands-on franchise system. We support our partners with:
– Site selection and lease negotiations
– Store design and construction coordination
– Initial and ongoing training (including the Barista School)
– Supply chain and logistics
– Operational follow-up focused on margins, productivity, and performance
A dedicated Franchisee Committee also allows franchise partners to actively contribute to innovation and operational improvements across the network.
Why Columbus?
Because Columbus Café & Co combines performance, authenticity, and long-term vision.
We don’t just open coffee shops.
We build profitable businesses, strong teams, and meaningful local brands ; together with our franchise partners.