Australian Franchise News – 23-05-12
ASX-listed Retail Food Group (RFG) is launching the international Esquires Coffee Houses franchise system in Australia in a bid to capture a greater share of the coffee chain market.
Esquires will be the seventh franchise in RFG’s portfolio. It already owns Donut King, Michel’s Patisserie, Brumby’s Bakeries, bb’s Cafes, Pizza Capers Gourmet Kitchen and Big Dad’s Pies.
Esquires Coffee Houses was founded in Canada in 1993 and is now operating in North America, New Zealand, Fiji, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Abu Dhabi, China and Dubai.
RFG also manages Esquires Coffee Houses in New Zealand, which was launched in 2002 and now has 47 outlets across the country.
Retail Food Group brand manager, Khim Puseman, said RFG was looking to replicate Esquires international success in Australia as it had a strong business model which delivered a return to franchisees and shareholders.
“We are confident that Esquires will achieve the same strong results as it has received across the globe,” she said.
“A bonus for RFG is the fact that the company already manages 47 Esquires stores in New Zealand. It is now about transferring those skills and optimising them for the Australian market.”
“Esquires Coffee House isn’t your usual coffee shop. The stores are built around providing a unique atmosphere, with high tech gadgets and serve premium quality fair trade coffee. In addition to some of the basics such as a self serve kiosk and free wifi; each store also has the newest iPads for customers to play with.”
“Retail Food Group’s management of franchises is strategically planned in a way to guide businesses and ensure that each brand is marketed and supplied sufficiently.
“Our knowledge of the retail food industry provides franchisees with the confidence that their business can be profitable and attractive to consumers.”
Esquires Coffee Houses’ flagship store will open in Sydney followed by a proliferation strategy to open stores in NSW and other states including QLD and SA.
The franchise system has already attracted strong interest from local entrepreneurs keen to become Esquires franchisees.
About Retail Food Group Limited
Retail Food Group is a leading Australian retail food brand manager, franchisor and wholesale coffee roaster. It is the franchisor and intellectual property owner of the Donut King, Michel’s Patisserie, Brumby’s Bakeries, bb’s café , Big Dad’s Pies and Esquires Coffee Houses franchise systems comprising 1,136 outlets as at 31 December 2011. The acquisition of Pizza Capers at the start of 2012 extended the number of outlets by a further 117 as at 4 April 2012. Retail Food Group also roasts over one million kilograms annually of proprietary products via Evolution Coffee Roasters Group, Caffe Coffee and Barista’s Choice coffee brands
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