Gourmet coffee business Xpresso Delight has named Christchurch mum Catherine Illingworth its overall franchisee of the year. Illingworth has owned her franchise for just 16 months but edged out stiff competition from across Australia and New Zealand.

“There are almost 120 Xpresso Delight franchisees across Australia and New Zealand, so the competition was very tough,” she said. “I received a phone call from the franchisors in January and they told me I was the overall winner. I was so shocked, I couldnÕt believe it!”

The annual award is based on several criteria including franchise business growth, attitude, customer service and client feedback.

Franchisees place fully automated, commercial grade, gourmet espresso coffee machines into workplaces free of charge, with the coffee costing $1 per cup. Illingworth, who works just one day a week from home, said her business was thriving.

“IÕve got four large corporate machines and nine smaller pod machines in workplaces all over the Christchurch area. I commenced my business in September 2008 and the business volume grew by 471 percent in the 12 months Jan 09 to Dec 09”.

Xpresso Delight founders Stephen Spitz and Paul Crabtree said Illingworth had invested a great deal of hard work and dedication in her Xpresso Delight business and thoroughly deserved the recognition.

“Catherine joined the business at a time when the economy was in decline and businesses were increasingly concerned about costs,” Spitz said. “Despite this, Catherine has managed to record amazing growth while leaving a fantastic impression on all of her customers. ItÕs a real achievement.”

Illingworth’s goal is to double the number of coffee systems in the next financial year.