Iain Ballantyne has just completed his first year as a franchise partner with Cafe2U
Following his excellent performance, Iain Ballantyne is now in a position to give us an insight into how a fledgling franchise runs.
Cafe2U is the world’s largest mobile coffee franchise system and its franchise partners are reaping the rewards of the fast growing coffee industry. The company delivers fresh espresso coffee, hot chocolate and snacks to nontraditional locations in over 50 franchise territories across the UK. During the week the Cafe2U vans visit offices, business parks and industrial estates, with the option to serve customers at events over the weekend.
New way
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Says Iain: “For 22 years I worked in the retail industry at managerial level for the likes of Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Between 2004 and 2010 I ran my own construction company, and it was only having seen the economic climate changing that I decided to change tack and look at a new way of doing business - and something unique to the marketplace.
“I had come across the notion of franchising about 15 years ago during a discussion with friends and understood that many large chains like McDonald’s were actually franchises. I liked the idea of the central support that being part of a franchise offered, and so when the time came for me to start my own business I knew that buying a franchise would be my best option.
“I started researching my options using a free franchise magazine that I found in Tesco, as well as searching on Google, which is when I came across the website for Cafe2U. I was also pleased to find that some of my friends and family were already familiar with the Cafe2U brand and gave the products and service a glowing report.”
Iain then spent time talking to the Cafe2U head office and some of its franchise partners. “I wanted to make sure that the support I hoped to receive when starting and operating a franchise would actually be there once I had signed on the dotted line,” he says. “I used some personal savings and a finance package from the bank to purchase the franchise, helping to secure myself and my family while the business grew. It took me just three months from finding Cafe2U to launching in my area of Chelmsford, Essex in November 2010.
“We were taught everything and my franchise development manager supported me very closely from the start. I’m really pleased with the ongoing support that I receive from the whole network - promotional posters, seasonal syrup flavours, regular news updates and so much more. I really like the products too, so I look forward to new changes and information.”
Iain is married to Jenny, his partner of 16 years, and they have two children aged eight and six. He has many pastimes, including golf, five-a-side football and tending his allotment. As well as having a strong interest in cars, Iain also runs a local sport social club and is an active member of village community projects. This sense of community is also replicated within the Cafe2U family.
Respected
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Iain explains: “One of the most important things to me is that I feel respected by the company. One year on and I am hitting my sales targets and have added to my regular daily business by attending local events and supporting charities such as Race for Life and St Clares Hospice. We have even served coffee to celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli at the Essex Food Festival and he definitely has the most discerning taste buds.”
Would he recommend the Cafe2U franchise to others? “Yes, definitely,” says Iain. “It’s important to say that when you are planning to buy a franchise you must realise you are buying into the brand. You should trust and follow their franchise system, as it’s already been trialed and tested. I personally hope to buy and develop another Cafe2U franchise in the near future.”
The UK coffee market is strengthening day by day, with approximately 20 million people buying premium coffee on a regular basis. At present the UK coffee market is worth £782 million, so it’s clear to see that Cafe2U has a great future.
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