Four new Mrs. Fields Gourmet Cookies and coffee franchises to open within 50 days

Continuing their strong growth throughout 2010, Mrs. Fields Gourmet Cookies and coffee franchises will open four new stores across three states in just 50 days.

With many in the retail more focused on consolidation rather than expansion this calendar year, Mrs. Fields cookies franchises have bucked the trend, increasing their overall market presence by nearly 30% in the past eight months.

New cookies and coffee franchises will open in Top Ryde, Sydney and Flinders Lane, Melbourne within the next month, closely followed by Westfield Chermside in Queensland and The Glen Shopping Centre in Melbourne.

Managing director of Mrs. Fields Australia, Andrew Benefield says the increased activity, in such a short time frame was “frantic but satisfying.”

Andrew admits that it has been a challenge ensuring that programs and time lines are all organised within such a tight schedule, especially given that the owners of the new coffee franchises are all exciting to unveil their new venture as soon as possible.

“But it is good from a perspective of the current climate we are all operating in, so far as the retail market is concerned,” he adds.

“We haven’t just stood still, these new stores represent impressive growth for the franchise - among the most impressive we have had for a calendar year.”

Further growth before 2011 is not out of the question, he says, with strong interest from several prospective franchisees opening up the possibility that the company will add to their network of 27 coffee franchises before the end of the year.

Andrew confirms that he is “certainly still hopeful for more openings over the next four months.”