Franchise of the Day – Zarraffa’s Coffee

ZARRAFFA’S DRIVING CROSS-COUNTRY

As a proudly owned Australian brand, 2013 saw Zarraffa’s Coffee expand their horizon and move out West. With the five company owned stores now up and running in WA, alongside the 64 QLD and NSW sites, 2014 is going to be an exciting year for
this iconic award-winning coffee brand.

With the launch of their northern-most store to date in Townsville in late 2013, Zarraffa’s forward thinking team is taking the brand further by consolidating its key territories, taking convenient coffee further north in Queensland and WA and winning over customers one cup at a time, explains Executive Director, James Barritt.

DRIVING FOR SUCCESS

James explained that 2014 will see a period of sustained growth of franchise outlets across regional and northern Queensland and more opportunities to expand the franchise network across Western Australia.

“Our goals remain consistent for 2014 as with previous years. This means we expect to see measured growth while consolidating on investment already made.

“We are excited to have five re-branded outlets in WA which have now been trading for twelve months and are ready to be franchised as successful stores. This is testament to the systems we have in place that ensures our award winning coffee is the same, every time, whichever side of the country you are. Our focus has been to ensure we get it right, first time logistically and to invest in procedures and dedicate resources, while not getting distracted from our planned growth.”

“With dedicated franchise support managers on site plus a local training facility, WA has a full support network in place and will see considerable growth in 2014.”

As a company that likes to give back to its franchisees, Zarraffa’s Coffee must be doing something right as their most recent franchise openings have been by multi-site franchisees.

Franchisee Ben Old and business partners Dion Schultz and Nicole Luchterhand have said they feel privileged to work within a system they enjoy and look forward to continuing success with Zarraffa’s, opening the 65th store in Slacks Creek.

“We always wanted the opportunity to grow inside a brand we feel so passionate about but the goal was to understand the system completely before looking to expand,” said Mr Old.

“It has been an exciting three-year ride with Zarraffa’s Coffee. We have loved our time to date and now we are thrilled to be opening our doors to the only drive thru coffee on the M1 (northbound) in the Logan/Brisbane area.”

Drive thru outlets have been a focus this year and have been met with enthusiasm by not only the franchisees themselves, but also the community at large, customers are responding in droves as they seek access to the quality coffee that Zarraffa’s delivers to coffee lovers on the go.

Mr Barritt explained, “Drive thru’s have been a major focus and will continue to be so. Of the last 15 stores opened, only one incorporates the traditional model with no drive thru facility.”

Indeed demand is so great that franchisees Jimmy and Bernadette Williams have recently opened the doors to their second franchise in Southport, almost in sight of their existing one. This capitalises on one of the Gold Coast’s main transport corridors and provides convenience to both the local community and commuters.

Mr Barritt acknowledged that this was a unique expansion opportunity for the Zarraffa’s Group that wouldn’t usually locate stores so close to one another.

“We understood the potential for Jimmy and Bernadette and worked with them to make it happen, once we had considered a range of factors,” he said.

“In addition to being exceptional operators and combined with the fact that they will own and operate both stores, we were more than happy to support their vision for this highly visible location.”

AWARD WINNERS

2013 also saw success for franchisees Terry and Jeanette Bambury, featured on our front cover, who were awarded the coveted ‘Franchisee of the Year’ at the Zarraffa’s National Franchise Conference, held at Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold  Coast.

Terry and Jeanette are one of the most successful franchisees within the group, receiving “Rookie of the Year’ in 2012 and recently opening their fourth store in Caloundra.

Mrs Bambury has attributed their success to simple things that make a big difference, such as customer service.

“To be successful you have to be committed, you can’t be afraid to talk to people. We love looking back to our first store and reflecting on what we have achieved,” she said.

“We believe the secret is to always enjoy what you do, employ the right staff and work together to empower the business.”

From opening their first store in 2005 at Morayfield, Terry and Jeanette are now an integral part of the business community on the Sunshine Coast and a major employer over four sites.

THE ZARRAFFA’S FOUNDATION – STANDING TALL

With a company name deriving from the Arabic word, ‘Zarafa’ which means Giraffe, the Zarraffa’s Coffee motto is to be ‘head and shoulders above the rest™’. They firmly hold the belief that strong relationships with their coffee growers are integral to the success of the company and resolutely believe in the ideal of ‘trade not aid’. Inroads have been made with new growers, such as coffee farmers at the Meru Plantation, at the base of Mount Kenya in Eastern Africa.

Because of this, customers can be sure that the coffee they are purchasing is helping families in these communities improve social conditions and assisting to build trade relationships with lasting impacts. The Zarraffa’s Foundation charity will also be launched shortly, as a way to support communities, conservation and the coffee growing fraternity worldwide as well as in their ‘own back-yard’.

The Foundation consolidates and formalises the work the company has already been doing and allows Zarraffa’s Coffee and their customers to give back one cup at a time. Funds will be raised primarily via direct donations from customers, the  franchise network and also the company’s main fundraising vehicle, the Zarraffa’s Coffee caddy.

“Customers can be sure that the coffee they are purchasing is helping families in these communities improve social conditions and assisting to build trade relationships with lasting impacts.”

One hundred per cent of the funds raised will go towards assisting the work of registered charities and coffee growing communities to help some of the most disadvantaged citizens and endangered animals. By supporting established charity groups,  the Zarraffa’s Foundation is able to give back in a meaningful way.

FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES

A Zarraffa’s Coffee franchise gives you the opportunity to join a successful, well established brand, with a strong support network in place.

With their head office and main training academy located on the Gold Coast, all franchisees participate in a comprehensive training programme, which covers areas such as management, practical training, local area marketing and accounting. Once  your store is open, all franchises undergo in-store and periodic training, while having the full support of the franchise management team. The franchise package includes full fit out of all plant and equipment, so that the franchise owner can open the doors on the first day to a fully operational business.

For more information about this award winning franchise system and their current franchise opportunities contact:

Phone: 07 5500 0800
Web: www.zarraffas.com