No: 1 - Esquires coffee Houses (franchising)

Enquiries:  0207 251 5166

Coffee: the magic beans in franchising!

In the first quarter of 2008, 11 new franchised businesses registered with the British Franchise Association, two of which were within the catering sector.

Over the years,  numerous franchises have opened in this field, supplying everything from pasties to organic smoothies, as the offering on the high street continues to spread.

The coffee trade, in particular, continues to enjoy popularity amongst budding entrepreneurs. But what is it that makes this industry so appealing to the franchise market?

Esquires  Coffee Houses’ UK Managing Director, Peter Kirton (above) shares his views:

“The coffee sector has been one of the fastest growing industries in recent years and appeals to a broad cross section of the business community.

“The social aspects surrounding the coffee market often attract people into the sector with the possibility of working in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

“Add to this the fact that the franchisee need not have previous experience in catering to be successful and you have a very attractive prospect..

“The popularity and flexibility of coffee as a product also allows companies to offer a number of options to potential franchisees. There are many formats available on the market, from portable coffee carts to prestigious high street locations, providing a route into the trade whatever your business background or needs.

“At Esquires we currently offer five formats from which to deliver our premium beverage and food  range. All formats cater for the respective experience, expectations and localities of our franchisees.”

Esquires opened its 21^st UK coffee house in Newcastle earlier this year, having been established in the UK for over eight years. Amongst these outlets lies a network of franchisees from a variety of backgrounds, some of whom have been with the company for the majority of its existence.

Dilip Shah and his wife, Bhati, opened an Esquires Coffee House in Stevenage almost six years ago and have enjoyed strong trade ever since.

Their franchise operates from a mall café format situated in the town’s main shopping destination. This location offers a strong footfall and full coffee house capabilities, with the added support of the Esquires management team. 

Having run a series of successful businesses previously, this scenario is perfectly matched to the Shah’s needs and abilities. Offering a balance of flexibility and support which allows the couple to apply their acumen in a completely new industry.

Dilip commented: “We wanted a solution that would allow us to add our personality and flair and put to use the years of experience we had gained.

“At the same time, the catering sector was a new arena for us so having expertise we could call on, as well as an established corporate image, was a real advantage.”

On the other end of the spectrum, business newcomer, Anna Crow, decided to join the Esquires team by taking over the Basildon Kiosk, after graduating from a degree in law.

Having never owned her own business before, the franchise route provided Anna with an established brand and the support network she needed to find her feet, whilst giving her the experience of managing her own business.

Anna said: “The coffee industry has always interested me and I was quickly drawn to values of the Esquires brand, the support available to me and the flexibility given to franchisees. Once I’d sampled the quality of the product I knew this was the business for me!”

One and a half years later, Anna’s business is going from strength to strength, serving everything from Fairtrade lattes to savoury wraps and making over 120 transactions a day.

Continued Anna: “The kiosk format was particularly attractive to me, as a first time business owner, as it provided low stock levels and lower overheads.”

Despite this range of backgrounds, there are shared qualities connecting all franchisees within the Esquires network – a commitment to quality, dedication  and a passion for the product. A combination which Peter Kirton believes excels in the franchise environment.  

“By pooling the expertise of our franchisees and appointing dedicated management roles in the support team,  we can assure a high level of service and product quality for anyone wanting to enter the industry.

“As part of our national network, our franchisees can access the best in training and support in all areas of the business from advertising materials to our premium Fairtrade blend.

“The cafe service sector will always attract customers and business start ups alike, but for every success story, sadly, there will be many who fail.

“If the fit is right, franchising can take a number of risks out of starting a business by providing the stability of a national brand along with the freedom to exercise their individuality at a local level. Making companies such as ours an ideal choice for those wanting to enter the coffee industry.”

Enquiries:  0207 251 5166