Mixing Coffee with Playtime basis for this Franchise

The other day my husband told me about a business he saw while looking online at stuff to do in Michigan. Not sure why he was looking at stuff to do in Michigan, but that’s another story. The business is called Jungle Java, and it’s a place for you to take your kids to play while you drink coffee, read the newspaper, get online, or talk with your friends. Sounds like a great idea. I’m surprised Starbucks hasn’t come up with this yet.

The business was started in Canton, Michigan in July 2003, and they built a second one in Farmington Hills, MI in December 2006. The first franchise was built in Ann Arbor, MI in April 2007.

According to their website, “The idea came from founder, Denise Mehl, a mom of three herself, who spent a period of time in England with her husband and two boys when they were young. Some of her British friends would meet at a place where there was a large, indoor climbing structure and enjoy a cup of coffee while the kids played. Wouldn’t that work well back in the States?

“After talking it over with her husband, Doug, they decided to look into the idea further. While the founders, Denise and Doug Mehl, were 100% committed to embarking on this journey, they wanted to team up with partners who were as enthusiastic and passionate about their vision as they were. They eventually partnered up with close friends, who understood the vision. Together, they are now proud to offer Jungle Java; a great place for moms, dads, grandparents and friends to enjoy with their children.”

To start a franchise, there is an initial franchise fee of $35,000, and the total investment range is between $423,000 and $2,570,300, depending on whether the real estate is purchased.

Seems like a great idea to me, if only they could get the investment dollars down a little bit.