Cafe2U launch to capitalise on Kiwi coffee culture

Sydney-based company Cafe2U is the latest franchise to launch in New Zealand, one month after announcing plans to appoint more than 1,000 additional franchisees in the United States.

Founded by Andy Simpkin, Cafe2U has 125 franchisees in Australia and 66 in the United Kingdom.

Last month, Cafe2U said it will appoint more than 1,000 additional franchisees in the US within the next 10 years, following the success of its first US franchisees in California and Oregon.

International managing director Derek Black said there is limited growth capacity in Australia so going offshore makes sense, and the US appealed because of its size and coffee culture.

“The US market represents a mature coffee market, with many significant opportunities to stimulate growth,” Black said in June.

Cafe2U is also keen to establish a presence in New Zealand, introducing its first New Zealand franchisee in Hamilton, which it hopes will be the first of many.

“We are confident New Zealanders seeking self-employment opportunities will quickly see the business potential, financial security, and lifestyle benefits Cafe2U has to offer,” Black says.

Cafe2U follows in the footsteps of Nanotek and Ready Steady Go Kids, both of which recently announced their own entries into the New Zealand market.

Cafe2U’s first New Zealand franchisee is Stephen Vickers, who intends to expand his operations by way of a second franchise in Hamilton, before moving further afield to Auckland.

Vickers was introduced to Cafe2U during a 10-year stint in Australia.

“I made the decision to move back to my hometown of Hamilton and was looking for small business opportunities,” Vickers says.

“I had been a long-term Cafe2U customer in Australia and, with the coffee culture and climate in New Zealand, I thought Cafe2U would be a great fit.”

“On top of this, I was very attracted to the simplicity of the business model. Not having to worry about staff, rent or a landlord was very attractive.”

In a bid to differentiate itself from every other coffee franchise, Cafe2U has introduced an “acceleration package”, which is a four-week training and support program for new franchisees.

After two weeks of training, a franchise coach accompanies every new franchisee for a further two weeks, working in the new franchisee’s particular territory.

With the support of the franchise coach, the franchisee can concentrate on getting to know their new customers.

“The core Cafe2U business model is built around the daily servicing of business parks, business centres and industrial estates,” Black says.

“[The model] has been internationally proven, with each franchise making a daily run of 25 to 30 stops at businesses employing between five and 50 staff.”

“Within those businesses, franchisees deliver on-time every day to regular customers.”