Shingle Inn Retail Cafes

An Outstanding Opportunity in Retail Cafe Franchises in Queensland.

Shingle Inn Retail Cafes Franchise represents a new benchmark in Australia's cafe culture! Shingle Inn (est 1936) has a long history as Brisbane's most iconic cafe and bakery. Luxurious high-back chairs, warm rich colours and decorative lamps together with our signature range of unique cakes, quality coffee, delicious gourmet sandwiches and emphasis on exceptional customer service.

Become part of our Shingle Inn 'family' and embrace the culture and tradition with a Shingle Inn Retail Cafe franchise.

Our Superior Products & Service

Shingle Inn distinguishes itself from competitors through the use of its own centralised production facility, providing high quality and cost competitive products to all Shingle Inn stores. From our highly popular individual Patty Cakes to celebration cakes and savoury goods, Shingle Inn is distinct in that we continue to develop our own signature range of products. Exceptional products together with innovative, yet easily prepared cafe meals and menu items provide a unique and popular product offering.

Another important product focus is our quality coffee and beverages. Shingle Inn continues to be a market leader in this area with respect to superior quality product, customer service and product knowledge.

At Shingle Inn, we place considerable emphasis on exceptional customer service. At the forefront of our Company culture is to always exceed customer expectations and create a warm, friendly and highly professional environment. In doing so, we foster a special relationship with our customers which personalises their 'experience' and encourages them to connect with our brand.

The Shingle Inn 'experience' starts when you enter the store. Luxurious high-back chairs, warm rich colours and decorative lamps ensure the stores are all still closely aligned with the historic foundation of this renowned brand. Shingle Inn's product offering, service standards and design concept remain the key foundations of our iconic and successful retail cafe franchise business.

Franchise Opportunity

Shingle Inn is currently seeking franchisees who are capable of aligning themselves to the Shingle Inn customer service philosophy and have a good understanding of the skills required to own, operate and develop their own Shingle Inn retail cafe franchise business. Potential franchisees have a great opportunity to become a part of a long established business with a well respected and trusted brand.

Shingle Inn offers individual franchisees the tools and infrastructure necessary to achieve strong business performance. The key features and benefits of the Shingle Inn franchise opportunity include:

• Brand: Being a part of a recognised brand steeped in history and tradition 
• Systems: Systems and processes for day-to-day management of the business 
• Business Support: Business support and ongoing assistance in managing the day-to-day store operations 
• Technical Support: Initial and ongoing training and access to extensive experience and support through the Shingle Inn National Office and Area Managers 
• Centralised Marketing and PR: Centralised group marketing activities to collectively build the brand and assist with local area marketing initiatives 
• Growth: The opportunity to grow your retail cafe franchise business and build a saleable asset as part of a successful network 
• Training: Comprehensive 6 week pre-opening training 

Our Sites

Shingle Inn currently have 30 retail cafe sites located in South-East Queensland, ACT, New South Wales and Victoria, positioned in busy shopping centres and high-traffic retail cafe precincts. The stores visual appeal is a prelude to the decadent experience that awaits ... with luxurious high-back chairs, warm rich colours and decorative lamps together with our signature range of unique cakes, quality coffee, delicious gourmet sandwiches and emphasis on exceptional customer service.

With significant growth plans in place for the coming years, we look forward to strategic expansion of our retail cafe franchise stores into new areas and actively encourage prospective franchisees to be included in the site selection process.

Our History

The historic Shingle Inn, Edward Street, Brisbane was built amidst the horrific depression of the 1930's by the founders of Webster Cake & Biscuit Company. The Managing Director at the time, W.R. Webster, was determined to construct an elegant English-style teahouse & restaurant, to be the pride of Brisbane, insisting on quality materials and exceptional products ... the famous Shingle Inn was born!

In 1975, Noel and Barbara Bellchambers purchased Shingle Inn from the Webster family. Remaining dedicated to the provision of superior quality cakes, cafe food and tea & coffee, the reputation of Shingle Inn's unique and wonderful experience spread from one generation to the next and, still today, it is not unusual to have third generation customers who were introduced to Shingle Inn by a grandparent.

In 1996, Shingle Inn was provisionally listed by the Queensland Heritage Council. With pressures of inner-city building redevelopment, Shingle Inn was forced to dismantle the original store in August 2002, and as a result, was removed from the Queensland Heritage Register.

A purposeful expansion plan coupled with a careful evolution of the iconic Shingle Inn concept has lead to an enviable foundation from which to further build one of Australia's most successful food and beverage retailers.

The Bellchambers' sons, Peter and Andrew, at the helm of the company, pride themselves on maintaining the tradition of constructing retail cafes with undeniable character, unique decor and continuing to provide the highest quality cakes, food and coffee!

The Process

Step 1: Register Interest: Please complete the form to right, following this we will contact you to discuss the opportunity in more detail. If we are both comfortable to proceed, we will arrange a suitable time for an initial meeting.

Step 2: Initial Meeting: The initial meeting is essentially a 'getting to know you' meeting. During the process we will clarify the key elements of the Shingle Inn business opportunity and ascertain whether there is a good fit between the two parties. At the end of the meeting you will be provided with a Franchisee Application Form to take home and complete.

Step 3: Research, Application Fee & Franchise Application Form: We encourage you to conduct research and seek independent advice to evaluate the Shingle Inn franchise opportunity. If you intend to proceed further, you will be required to make a fully refundable application fee accompanied by your completed Franchisee Application Form prior to our second meeting.

Step 4: Second Meeting: Discussion and presentation of such specific issues as the Franchise Code of Conduct, Disclosure Document and the retail cafe Franchise Agreement. You will then be required to take these documents and seek independent legal and accounting advice.

Step 5: Third Meeting: Resolve any outstanding issues and questions you may have and you will be introduced to key members of Shingle Inn's team.

Step 6: Final Meeting: The key objective is to finalise the decision and sign the Offer to Franchise. At this point you will be expected to pay the Franchise Fee and we will proceed to finalise the legal documentation.

To discuss Shingle Inn's retail cafe franchise opportunity further, please contact Patrick Mulcahy, Franchise Development Manager via the contact button on the right.

To view the latest news from Shingle Inn visit our website.