This article appeared in Issue 2#4 (May/June 2008) of Business Franchise Australia & New Zealand
ON THE STREET AND OUT OF THE KITCHEN
With Australians drinking more than one billion cups of coffee a year outside their homes, why not take advantage of owning a café or coffee franchise?
According to The AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association, Australians are in love with the café society. Considering world consumption is over 400 billion cups, how ironic that Australia is reputed as having the best espresso coffee in the world!
The café and coffee business in Australia and New Zealand is certainly thriving, with more people developing sophisticated tastes and loyalties to particular brands. However, in recent years, a significant development has been the extensive range of delivery choice.
These days, consumers can grab a hot cup of premium espresso coffee and a snack, practically anywhere, anytime. There are a selection of traditional cafes offering dine in and takeaway options, as well as an increasing amount of mobile, drive-through and automated machine coffee and café businesses.
Given the competition, owning a franchise as opposed to a stand-alone business, has many advantages. Operating a business under an established brand, well known to the public, means a franchisee benefits from the franchisor’s name, systems, training and ongoing support. In Australia and New Zealand, a broad selection of franchised businesses is available within the café and coffee industry.
At bb’s café it’s baked and brewed fresh, where customers can afford to relax and recharge anytime. A mouth-watering menu includes choices for breakfast and light meals, crisp salads, sweet treats and bb’s gourmet specialty breads. New additions include the Muffin Royale range and 99% fat-free milkshakes.
Admitting an obsession with its signature coffee, bb’s offer a premium blend of ground Arabica beans, perfected over 25 years. Customers of bb’s café can get their coffee strong, weak, skinny or soy. Catering for the non-coffee drinkers as well, it offers a range of plunger teas, hot chocolates and Chai lattes.
With 68 stores throughout Australia and New Zealand, owning a bb’s franchise is an opportunity to purchase a ‘turn-key’ operation with the requisite support to run a successful business.
Bean Bar opened its first espresso bar in Adelaide’s King William Street on New Years Eve 2001. Since then, another five bars have opened across Adelaide’s CBD and along with Bean Bar’s mission to continue serving South Australians Seriously Good Coffee, it has plans to expand.
Entering an exciting growth stage, Bean Bar invites prospective franchisees to be a part of its success story to serve Seriously Good Coffee to people outside of Adelaide and beyond. Bean Bar is currently seeking business savvy people to take on the State Master Franchises in Australia and overseas.
Cafe2U is an ideal business opportunity for people who want to own their own café without long hours, rent and landlord negotiations. Launching its first mobile coffee van in March 2000 in Sydney, Cafe2U is the largest mobile coffee franchise in the world. Café2U vans can be seen in and around Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and the United Kingdom.
Many of Café2U’s successful franchisees had no previous espresso coffee-making or business experience. Offering theory and practical training, ongoing 24/7 support is provided by Café 2U’s franchise support officers who have 30 years of combined hospitality experience. Funds are spent on the most relevant strategies to develop all franchisees in all areas and Café 2U’s proven formula provides a roadmap for success.
Café2U was fully franchised in 2004. With a full market in NSW, it is dedicated to continuing its Australian growth to all other states. Café2U offers leadership credentials and is looking for more enthusiastic, self-motivated franchisees that have a passion for coffee and working with people.
Chocolateria San Churro is a Spanish style chocolate and churros café. Importing the raw product from Spain, the chocolate is made into thick steaming hot chocolate, truffles, ice cream, and more, including chocolate liquid for dipping the doughnut-like churros.
Based on the popular chocolate houses of Madrid and Barcelona, San Churro has modified the experience to suit the Australian market and offers franchisees an exclusive business concept.
With 19 stores open around Australia and growing, each store is designed and decorated uniquely, offering authentic Spanish ambiance. San Churro’s franchisees encourage every customer to smile through passionate service, delicious treats and a fun atmosphere – the Spanish way!
The Chocolate Room is a specialist indulgence café, offering a unique chocolate experience to its customers who are treated like royalty. A delicious menu boasts 20 different flavours of Italian hot chocolate, hand-made Belgian chocolates, chocolate fondues, chocolate melting pots, chocolate cakes and waffles, and of course coffee.
Jim and Kathy Richardson, with their 25 years of combined retail experience and franchising knowledge, have grown the boutique business from their 2006 store in Geelong, Victoria. There are now six Australian franchises with another five opening in 2008, one franchise in India.
Along with a brilliant team of professionals, Jim and Kathy assist franchisees with everything imaginable, including store and stock selection; staffing selection and training.
The Coffee Club invites you to meet the cool people. Relax in welcoming, warm surroundings and enjoy good food, great service and excellent coffee. With stores in all five Australian states, The Coffee Club is one of Australia’s largest coffee and cafe specialists.
In 1989, the Brisbane River witnessed the opening of The Coffee Club and today, there are around 150 outlets throughout Australia and New Zealand. More than just coffee, most stores offer table service and a wider choice including alcohol and meals. With more Australians choosing to dine out, The Coffee Club answered an increase in demand and now presents a unique choice of two styles of stores: The Coffee Club and The Coffee Club Cafe Bar and Restaurant.
The Coffee Club franchise is an opportunity to be at the leading edge of the food and entertainment industry. A Coffee Club franchisee enjoys all the benefits of a management structure that has built this successful business over two decades.
Making it glorious, Gloria Jean’s Coffees invites franchisees to share their passion and join a team dedicated to success. After two decades in the gourmet coffee industry and stores in over 20 countries, Gloria Jean’s Coffees is one of the fastest growing franchise organisations in the world.
Gloria Jean’s provides franchisees with field support personnel who help to merchandise, operate, and assist in employee training. Franchisees are expected to operate an exceptional store, commit full-time and have fun! Proudly supporting Australian charities, Gloria Jean’s also expects its franchisees to be community-minded.
Offering 40 varieties of gourmet coffees, most stores sell a selection of teas, coffee grinders, coffee machines, accessories, pre-packaged gifts, as well as freshly brewed coffee, espresso-based drinks, refreshing iced coffee and chillers. In Australia since 1996, Gloria Jean’s Coffees has 453 Australian outlets in every state and territory, predominantly franchised stores.
Hudsons Coffee is a boutique coffee house celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. An extensive range of coffee is made by experienced baristas using traditional methods. Selling quality coffee in a contemporary environment, it provides super efficient service for dine in and take away customers.
Since its 1998 Melbourne opening, Hudsons Coffee has been a haven for busy Australians with gourmet coffee demands. Growing to around 44 stores nationally, 18 are franchised and Hudsons regard franchising as one of its most important business aspects.
KISS Café is a mobile espresso-based coffee business giving West Australians a great excuse for a mini break. Created in Perth in 2002, the business has grown to eight franchises with 11 vehicles on the road.
Providing flexible hours and a proven business system, franchisees are encouraged to kiss their old jobs goodbye. Stylish and colourful purpose-built vehicles service various commercial locations throughout Western Australia.
Supplying customers with the type of coffee often reserved for going out, customers have quickly embraced the quality product, along with the delivery convenience.
The Latte Cartelle is a specialty coffee company offering a drive-through service. Established in 2004, it provides sensational espresso coffee to customers in the comfort of their cars. The company has two popular sites along major commuter routes in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, which operate on weekdays. High quality coffee and efficient professional service has proven to be a successful formula.
European and international flavours have influenced the great selection of premium coffee. The Latte Cartelle also offers a range of cookies, muffins, toasted paninis and fresh baguettes. Coffee orders are delivered to customers within 90 seconds.
Currently trading in Elsternwick and Hallam, Victoria, The Latte Cartelle is focusing on procuring established sites at car washes, service stations and shopping centre car parks. To assist in this growth, a structured Victorian franchise rollout is underway for 2008, with a view to expanding interstate next year.
Michel’s Patisserie boasts an extensive menu of delicious cakes and savouries, to be enjoyed alongside great espresso coffee. Direct access to beans is one of the secrets to Michel’s superior tasting and award winning espresso. Michel’s buy beans direct from coffee farms in places like Brazil and India.
Founded in 1998, Michel’s Patisserie is 100% Australian owned, with over 340 stores throughout Australia, as well as outlets in New Zealand and China. Michel’s Patisserie is one of Australia’s most successful patisserie and franchise groups and has aggressive plans for new store openings in metropolitan and regional areas throughout Australia.
Mrs. Fields is at the forefront of the cookie industry, offering customers a selection of oven fresh soft baked cookies, delicious muffins, mouth watering brownies and its own blend of barista coffee.
Created in 1977 by a Californian mother with no business experience, Mrs. Fields has grown to around 3,000 outlets worldwide. Since 1994, an Australian owned company has revitalised the brand and produced a concept for the Australian market, with 16 franchised stores in the eastern states.
Although franchisees have intensive training, the products are simple and easy to prepare. Supported by a professional research and development team, Mrs. Fields is committed to ongoing development and evaluation.
Muzz Buzz is a drive-through coffee service, providing busy people with premium coffee quickly, typically during 6.00am and 6.00pm weekdays. Encouraging customers to leave home without their morning coffee, Muzz Buzz offers unique coffee flavours roasted from premium beans, in a variety of strengths and sizes. There are also muffins, biscuits, cookies, pies and sausage rolls, ice creams and drinks to keep customers buzzing.
Designed to be a quick, convenient and satisfying experience for customers, it is equally as important to be a simple and fun business for owners to operate. Time and money has been spent to create a system and brand that affords franchisees with the opportunity to run a successful business.
Australian-owned, the drive-through coffee retailer opened in Perth 2004 and, along with its two company stores, has expanded to 21 franchise stores across Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.
Xpresso Delight is eliminating the need to step outside for a great cup of coffee. Providing fully automated gourmet espresso coffee machines with state-of-the-art technology, they are easy to use and maintain. Xpresso Delight offers a unique business opportunity for franchisees who have limited time but a desire to succeed.
Typically aimed at the corporate market, there are 70 Xpresso Delight franchises across Australia and New Zealand. The coffee machines can be seen operating in workplaces, factories, restaurants, and health and sporting clubs.
Recently introducing its mobile coffee brand, coffee2go was launched at the beginning of the year and the mobile coffee vans are operating in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
At Xpresso Mobile Coffee it’s all about delivering convenience with great coffee. Providing its customers with a new, fresh coffee experience anywhere, anytime, Xpresso Mobile is a privately owned Australian company. Beginning its operations in April 2002, there are more than 50 vans throughout Australia and Xpresso Mobile Carts supply coffee consumers at workplaces, events and functions.
Xpresso Mobile Coffee provides its franchisees with the tools and support to deliver service and product to their customers. Committed to service, Xpresso Mobile constantly reviews its customer requirements, aiming to sell more coffee, to more people, while creating a fun atmosphere.
Treating coffee as an art form, Van Go Coffees is a young and dynamic mobile café company aiming to deliver an experience. More than a weekday service, 10 vans across Victoria and New South Wales provide coffee and light refreshments to parties, corporate events, sporting groups, school fetes, functions, markets and festivals. With very little set up time, a qualified barista delivers premium espresso coffee with friendly service, via a stylish mobile café or indoor coffee station.
Seeking energetic, fun and hard working team players, Van Go’s franchisees develop their own identity within a proven system. Offering a simple business system with constant cash flow, Van Go Coffees is supported by a comprehensive training program and round the clock assistance. Entering the Sydney market in 2008, Van Go also has Victorian franchises available with exclusive territories and established clientele, ready for sale.
Villa & Hut Kafe is one of Australia’s fastest growing independent cafe brands. Offering a complete package of sight, smell, sound, taste and service, customers inhale aromas and rhythmic music, surrounded by handmade homewares.
Patrons enjoy delicious meals and beverages such as crisp tossed-to-order salads and warm grilled foccacias, blended smoothies and shakes, freshly squeezed juices, gourmet soups, and famous chais, coffees and herbal teas.
Established in 1999, Villa & Hut is a global and trusted brand. Being unique, most of the products inside Villa & Hut Kafes are available for sale. These range from the customer chairs and tables, to the music being played and the beans in the coffee. The concept is a proven success story and an exciting franchise opportunity.
Zarraffa’s Coffee is a specialty coffee shop that roasts its own coffee. Proudly Australian owned and operated, it was established in 1996 on the Gold Coast. ‘Zarraffa’ is Arabic for giraffe and the brand name portrays an exotic and earthy theme.
Reflecting a unique atmosphere for staff and customers, Zarraffa’s Coffee is focused on excellence, quality and value. It does offer a small selection of fresh cookies and baked goods, but patrons are welcome to bring their own lunch to accompany a delicious Zarraffa’s Coffee.
Inviting franchisees to be their own boss and take advantage of a strong, well-established company, Zarraffa’s Coffee provides a support network with ongoing assistance. The full start-up training program is undertaken at head office on the Gold Coast, covering practical training, management and accounting.