15 years of Coffee-Bike – 15 years of passion for good coffee, mobile coffee catering, and the stories of the people behind our brand. What began as a small idea has developed into a strong franchise system that delights customers throughout Germany and beyond with high-quality coffee specialties. In this blog post, we take you on our journey: from the beginnings in our garage at home, through the experiences of our franchise partners, to the Coffee-Bike anniversary and the special promotions we are celebrating to mark our 15th anniversary.
15 years of Coffee-Bike: Stories, faces, and memorable moments behind the anniversary
28.11.2025 | Coffee-Bike Insights
The path to becoming a brand – How Coffee-Bike became a mobile coffee revolution
From the initial idea to a successful franchise system. We have continuously developed our company and the Coffee-Bike itself over the last 15 years. What began as a holiday idea now stands for a strong partner network, an innovative product and sound market experience. We take a look at the beginnings, the most important milestones, and the lessons that have shaped us along the way.
From the idea to the first Coffee-Bike
The Coffee-Bike success story began in 2010 during a vacation in Denmark. Our founders Tobias Zimmer and Jan Sander met a man there who was selling freshly brewed coffee from a pump pot directly from his bicycle rack. The combination of mobility and product immediately fascinated the two and thus laid the foundation for the Coffee-Bike.
Back in Osnabrück, Coffee-Bike GmbH was founded and the first prototype was developed in a local garage. Initial sales tests were carried out in and around Osnabrück on the weekends, while the concept and technology were continuously optimized during the week.
We celebrated our first major success shortly afterwards with two Coffee-Bikes at Lake Maschsee in Hanover. The practical experience gained there quickly showed that local know-how is crucial for sustainable success. This insight ultimately gave rise to the vision of establishing Coffee-Bike as a franchise concept with motivated partners.
The history of the Coffee-Bike franchise
The most important milestones of the last 15 years
Just one year after our founding, the franchise concept began to take shape. What started with two franchise partners has grown over time into a network of several hundred Coffee-Bikers. At the same time, our internal team has also continued to develop: the Coffee-Bike founding team has grown into a company with specialized departments and its own workshop.
An important milestone was the introduction of our own organic bean brand “Caferino” in 2012. To this day, it forms the basis for the characteristic taste of our coffee specialties and stands for the high quality we want to offer our partners and guests.
In 2016, the Coffee-Bike Academy opened its doors at our headquarters in Osnabrück. Over four intensive days, newcomers learn everything they need to know to be successful, from technical basics and business management tips to how to make the perfect cup of coffee.
As our franchise system grew, we expanded our internal structures in 2017 and 2018. New departments, such as the catering department and the support team for daily communication with our partners, were created to establish a reliable and well-organized foundation for mutual success.
Mark Rüter took over as managing director of Coffee-Bike GmbH in 2019, bringing fresh ideas and new perspectives to the company. On the occasion of our 15th Coffee-Bike anniversary, he talks about the development of our franchise system in the podcast “Goldgrube Franchise” explains how successful location strategies are implemented, and highlights the role that strong branding plays in sustainable success. If you are interested in a franchise partnership and your own mobile café, we highly recommend listening to the episode.
The podcast is available in German on Spotify, Apple Music, and the Goldgrube Franchise website.
What we have learned along the way
15 years of Coffee-Bike have given us valuable experience and shown us what really matters for our successful concept.
- Flexibility & mobility: The ability to choose your own location, change it, or adapt it to your own vision.
- Your own business design: Every franchise partner can design their Coffee-Bike business according to their own ideas, whether full-time or part-time.
- Personal support: Our specialist departments provide individual and reliable support.
- Regional strength: A local network is crucial for success. Those who know their surroundings can place their services in a targeted manner.
- Continuous development: The Coffee Bike, the technology, and the overall concept are continuously being developed.
- Strong network: Experiences are shared and tips are passed on so that everyone can benefit from the knowledge and commitment of the entire Coffee Bike community.
The people behind the success – stories from the Coffee-Bike network
The aforementioned network is a major factor in the success of our business concept. After all, Coffee-Bike is much more than just a mobile coffee bar: our franchise partners are what make Coffee-Bike a truly unique form of experiential catering. We are happy to share insights into their experiences with Coffee-Bike, their everyday lives, and the community that shapes our network.
What motivates our franchise partners
Why start a Coffee-Bike franchise? If you ask yourself this question, the answers are as varied as the personalities of our franchise partners. And yet, some goals can be identified time and again. Many want to try something new, leave their familiar job behind and take on a professional challenge that really suits them. Others want to turn their passion for coffee and direct contact with customers into a career. All our bikers have one thing in common: the courage to go their own way and the desire to make their work as flexible as it suits their lives. With Coffee-Bike, this dream becomes reality. You can always rely on an experienced network that gives you security, know-how, and support for your everyday business life.
Franchise partners report on their everyday lives
The everyday lives of our franchise partners are hardly comparable, as the possibilities offered by the Coffee-Biker are countless. Some operate their mobile coffee bar at a fixed sales location with fixed opening hours, while others focus on catering assignments and are mainly on the road on weekends. This allows each partner to organize their daily work according to their own ideas and needs. Of course, you can also combine the different options.
Cornelia and Georg Duda are a particularly good example of Coffee-Bikers who operate an “Event-Bike.” The franchise partner couple has been part of our Coffee-Bike Family since 2021 and has extended their contract for another four years this year. Thank you for your trust. We are very happy to celebrate this anniversary with you! The two run their mobile coffee bar as a side business and are currently active at the LWL Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Münster.
"Coffee-Bike is turning 15 and my husband and I have been part of it for 4 years. Thanks to our network, we have bookings until 2027. When we decided to become Coffee-Bikers, we received a lot of help from headquarters with our many questions. We are very grateful for that." says Cornelia Duda.
On Coffee-Bike's 15th birthday, we received more personal congratulations from franchise partners:
"It wasn't just our passion as Coffee-Bikers that was recognized with the Social Media Network Award and the Neustarter Award 2024. Congratulations on 15 years of Coffee-Bike." – Konstantina Karavioti
“I'm Cay, I've been a Coffee-Bike franchisee for 6 years and I run two Coffee-Bikes. Our products are particularly noteworthy. They are truly unique.” – Cay Wübbeler
Community, cohesion and personal growth
There is more to every Coffee-Bike than just coffee; it is authentic people with passion, ideas and drive who bring the concept to life. We place great importance on personal advice and individual support so that every partner can follow their own path.
Even during onboarding before practical training, the focus is on you: who are you, what is your life situation and what vision do you want to realize? Together, we will find out how to make your start as smooth as possible. At the Coffee-Bike Academy, we personally teach you what you need to know for a successful start. Do you only have experience in the coffee industry? No problem, we'll get you up to speed with numbers and organizational processes (or vice versa). In addition, all specialist departments at headquarters are available to answer your questions.
Exchange among franchise partners is also particularly important to us. The next Franchise Partner Day will take place in February 2026, where all partners are invited to network, exchange experiences, and participate in workshops.
We also want to include our Coffee-Bike community of coffee lovers: we introduce new franchise partners and their locations in interviews on the Coffee-Bike Instagram account. This way, you can see directly who is behind your next Coffee-Bike catering. Do you identify with their Coffee-Bike vision?
Franchise Partner Day 2024
Coffee-Bike today – What drives us and sets us apart
After 15 years, we not only look back proudly on our history, but above all look ahead. We show you what our brand stands for today, what values guide us, and what makes Coffee-Bike so special for our partners, our customers and everyone who shares our passion for mobile coffee enjoyment.
Values, vision, and what drives us as a brand
Our brand stands for good coffee, a unique dining experience and genuine franchise success. Every cup, every event and every location is an expression of our values and our mission: to serve high-quality coffee specialties with passion in almost any location.
Our brand thrives on people who are committed and take responsibility – whether in a team or as a franchise partner. For us, sustainable action is not a trend, but a principle: we continue to develop our products and range in order to be sustainable in the to-go industry. In addition, commitment to the brand means that we always strive for the highest quality in our products, our services and in our cooperation with our partners.
Our vision is to inspire you every day: whether you're a coffee fan enjoying your break or a franchise partner looking to build your own Coffee-Bike business. Our goal for the next 15 years? To inspire customers around the world with our mobile café and our partners' barista skills. We want every moment with Coffee-Bike to be an experience that is authentic, unique and sustainable.
Our anniversary video with our managing director Mark directly expresses our values and vision: he talks about personal experiences, exciting challenges, and gives an outlook on where Coffee-Bike's journey is headed.
15 years of Coffee Bike | Interview with MARK RÜTER
Sustainability, regionality, and responsibility
Sustainability and responsibility are very important to us. We want to combine enjoyment with awareness. Our commitment begins with the cultivation of our green coffee: we source our organic beans from small farmers and owner-operated farms. We rely on long-term, fair partnerships to ensure that quality and responsibility go hand in hand. But our commitment does not end with the bean. For every Caferino package sold, 10 cents go to Terre des Hommes projects – for strong children and a fairer world. In addition, in 2021 we became the first German franchise company to introduce our own deposit system in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Plastic-free drinking straws, recyclable packaging, and biodegradable lids are further steps we are taking to consciously reduce our ecological footprint.
What makes Coffee-Bike special for entrepreneurs
If you have already given some thought to the idea of self-employment, you are probably aware that there can be high barriers to entry—especially in the restaurant industry. The Coffee-Bike franchise system is therefore the ideal partner for all entrepreneurs who do not want to take this step alone.
What makes Coffee-Bike so special?
- A flexible, mobile concept that adapts to your everyday life
- An attractive profit margin, low initial investment, and growth potential
- A strong brand that is known throughout Germany and beyond
- Continuous development so that you always work with a modern, technically sophisticated product
- A team that supports you, from the academy to daily support
- And a Coffee-Bike community that strengthens each other
From practical training at our Coffee-Bike Academy to support in choosing a location and arranging catering orders, we accompany you every step of the way. Fifteen years of mobile coffee concepts have not only perfected our processes, but also made the Coffee-Bike brand a household name. With a professional appearance, high-quality equipment and a coordinated marketing concept, you will come across as competent and reputable as a franchise partner from day one. Our Coffee-Bike is also self-sufficient and mobile. Without a fixed power or water connection, you can try out different locations, be where there is demand and organize your daily routine yourself. This freedom gives you a competitive advantage over traditional cafés. This makes your Coffee-Bike business a professional, flexible and successful venture where you can fully indulge your passion for coffee. In our video, you can see all the advantages of our franchise partnership at a glance.
The franchise benefits of Coffee-Bike
Our anniversary in 2025 – a look back with an eye to the future
We are celebrating our 15th anniversary not only with memories, but above all with activities that look to the future: special social media formats, exclusive anniversary offers for founders, and exciting insights into what makes Coffee-Bike what it is today.
Highlights of the celebrations
We are celebrating 15 years of Coffee-Bike with you on several levels! Whether you are a long-standing partner, a curious franchisee or a coffee lover: our anniversary has a lot to offer. With our anniversary promotions, we are opening the doors to our virtual archive, sharing fresh impressions and inviting you to experience the birthday in a culinary way: our winter specials bring the taste of the anniversary directly to your Coffee-Bike deposit cup. And for those planning to take the step into self-employment, an exclusive offer awaits you.
We've been celebrating with you on social media since the beginning of September: exciting retrospectives, funny fun facts, and surprising figures from 15 years of Coffee-Bike provide entertaining insights. For December, our birthday month, an XXL anniversary competition is in the starting blocks. It's definitely worth taking a look at our Instagram channel! There you're sure to discover a few Coffee Bike stories you didn't know about before.
And for anyone thinking about becoming part of the Coffee Bike family: there's another reason to celebrate! Our limited birthday offer is waiting for you!
The anniversary offer for founders
With our StartSmart Deal, we are giving you the perfect boost to get you started in the coffee bike business in Germany. For the first six months, you can start without any fixed costs, i.e., no Coffee-Bike rental and no minimum franchise fee. This allows you to concentrate fully on winning your first regular customers while enjoying all the benefits of a Coffee-Bike franchise right from the start. After all, we know from our own beginnings how challenging it can be to start a new business.
As an additional birthday gift, we'll throw in 15 kilograms of our certified organic Caferino espresso beans for free. This gives you the right start and enough beans to delight your first customers right from the start.
Anyone who signs up by December 31, 2025, will lay the foundation for their own café on three wheels in Germany. With a strong system behind them and a concept that has been a success story for 15 years.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about the anniversary and getting started
1. What are we celebrating with the Coffee Bike anniversary?
15 years of Coffee Bike – with exciting social media campaigns, special anniversary drinks, and the StartSmart Deal for founders.
2. When are we celebrating our 15th birthday?
Coffee-Bike will be 15 years old on December 7, 2025. Happy Birthday to us!
3. How did Coffee-Bike become so successful?
Through 15 years of experience, continuous development, strong partnerships, and a unique mobile coffee concept.
4. Who are the people behind Coffee-Bike?
Our 30-strong team at headquarters works hand in hand with hundreds of dedicated franchise partners.
5. What do real franchise partners say about their experiences?
They appreciate the flexibility of the mobile coffee bar, the freedom of being their own boss, and the strong network. Above all, however, they are driven by the joy of offering people a special experience with coffee.
6. What is everyday life like with Coffee-Bike?
Full-time or part-time, with employees or alone, at fixed locations or at catering events and functions—each franchise partner designs their everyday life individually.
7. What is Coffee-Bike's vision after 15 years?
We want to inspire people everywhere with high-quality coffee specialties—mobile, flexible, and experiential.
8. What does Coffee-Bike offer franchise founders?
A proven concept, comprehensive training, support in marketing and location selection, and the freedom to flexibly adapt the business to your own life situation. Get to know Coffee-Bike at a free and non-binding information event. We look forward to meeting you!
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