Cafe2U Mobile Coffee Franchise celebrates another milestone with its 10th anniversary

In a year of milestones, Cafe2U Mobile Coffee Franchise has celebrated its 10th anniversary.

The mobile coffee franchise recently reached 100 Australian franchises and is currently preparing for US and NZ expansion. Cafe2U officially celebrated its emergence from a humble van operation on Sydney’s North Shore a decade ago to a thriving international business.

The mobile cafe franchise has 50 franchises throughout the UK including Scotland, England, the Channel Islands and Northern Ireland and the brand is also planning to launch in the Middle Eastern and Asian markets during 2010.

Andy Simpkin, Founder of the mobile coffee franchise network explained that the Australian coffee drinker had changed over the 10 years the company has operated. Cafe2U had to evolve with the coffee drinkers to survive.

Alan Biddle, General Manager of Franchising & Sales explained, “Ten years ago most people (in Sydney) ordered cappuccinos – now more people are ordering different styles of espresso, with the most recent rise of the “piccolo latte” - one espresso shot with textured milk but about 50 % less milk than a normal latte – so for an 8 oz cup, it would be filled by half,”

“There has been a change in the standard size of espresso coffees served – the ‘standard” or regular 10 years ago was 8 oz. Cafe2U introduced a 16 oz in 2008 and the 8 oz has become a “small”. The larger sizes are becoming important to the Cafe2U business as customers only get one chance a day to get their Cafe2U hit.”

Cafe2U founder Andy Simpkin has also witnessed firsthand the evolution of the Australian coffee drinker.

“Ten years ago customers were much less discerning and much less knowledgeable. Customers now pay for a “good” cup of coffee and are much less forgiving of a bad cup. They also ask about where the actual coffee comes from and who the roaster is –customers now know which roasters they favour, or don’t.”

According to Simpkin, espresso making skills have also changed, with baristas now putting more coffee in deeper baskets to ensure a richer and smoother flavour.

With a current turnover of $20million the mobile coffee franchise has experienced exceptional growth at around 40% each of the past four years, despite the effects of the GFC.

Simpkin pinpointed the mobile aspect of his franchise model, alongside Australia’s ever growing obsession with coffee, as two overriding reasons why.

“During the GFC shop fronts felt the effects of the global crunch but we continued to experience growth,” he said.

“We rolled through it because mobile businesses were seen by investors as an alternative to renting a space in a quiet shopping mall. You are going to the customer, not the other way around which means that when or if businesses close you simply have to fill the slot by driving to new customers.

“There is also limited competition; you are not competing for the same dollar as you do in a mall. In addition, compared to fixed locations mobile operations such as ours are a low investment model which offers a high return,” he said.