
Investment-grade corporate leases. Drive-thru premiums. Starbucks is the gold standard of QSR NNN investing — predictable rent from a brand that generates $36B+ annually and continues expanding into drive-thru-only formats.
4.0%–5.25%
Cap Rate Range
$2.5M–$5.5M
Typical Price
10–15 years
Lease Term
16,000+
US Locations
BBB+ (S&P)
Credit Rating
$36B+
Annual Revenue
The investment thesis behind Starbucks as a single-tenant NNN asset.
Starbucks drive-thru locations command lower cap rates (and higher prices) than their café-only counterparts. Drive-thrus generate 30–50% more revenue per location, making the tenant more profitable and the lease more secure. The ESS Group focuses on sourcing drive-thru Starbucks NNN deals.
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) guarantees every corporate-owned location's lease. With BBB+ credit rating and $36B+ in annual global revenue, the financial backing behind your rent check is institutional-grade.
Starbucks NNN leases typically include 10% rent bumps every 5 years or 1–2% annual increases. Over a 10–15 year term, this creates meaningful rent growth that compounds your return and increases the property's value at resale.
Starbucks' site selection team is among the best in retail. Their locations sit at high-traffic intersections, near major employment centers, and adjacent to complementary retail. These location characteristics make the underlying real estate — not just the lease — valuable.
An honest investor's view of what makes Starbucks work — and what to watch for.
Investor Strengths
Considerations
Starbucks NNN properties are a premium 1031 exchange destination for investors seeking investment-grade credit, prime locations, and strong appreciation potential. The $2.5M–$5.5M price range aligns well with California investment property 1031 exchanges. Drive-thru Starbucks in particular hold value extremely well on resale.
Learn More About 1031 Exchange into NNNStarbucks NNN cap rates range from approximately 4.0% to 5.25% depending on location, format (drive-thru vs. café), and remaining lease term. Drive-thru locations in primary markets like Phoenix, Dallas, and Atlanta trade at 4.0%–4.5%. Non-drive-thru or secondary market locations offer 4.75%–5.25%.
Corporate-operated Starbucks locations are guaranteed by Starbucks Corporation. Licensed locations (universities, airports, hotels) operate under a different structure and are not appropriate for NNN investment. The ESS Group only presents corporate-guaranteed Starbucks NNN properties to investors.
Drive-thru Starbucks generate significantly higher sales volume — often $1.5M–$2.5M+ annually per location vs. $800K–$1.2M for café-only. Higher sales volume reduces closure risk and typically commands a premium price (lower cap rate). For NNN investors, drive-thru locations are almost universally preferred.
Yes, particularly for investors exchanging out of mid-to-large California properties. The $2.5M–$5.5M price range aligns with many residential rental and commercial 1031 scenarios. Starbucks also holds resale value well, which matters if you anticipate a future exchange out of the asset.
Tell us your investment criteria — budget, cap rate target, and 1031 timeline — and we'll share current off-market Starbucks NNN deals that match.