Nov 19, 2012 | Clients in the Media, News
Cafe2U van on beach
Cafe2U, client of Coconut Creatives, is the world’s largest mobile coffee franchise. Cafe2U continues to grow worldwide and is proud to announce its launch in South Africa. South Africa will be the third international market, next to Germany and New Zealand, that Cafe2U has added to its growing global franchise network in 2012. South Africa is a discerning marketplace offering huge growth potential for Cafe2U’s latest Master Franchise owner, Marco Da Silva.
Marco knows the potential of the South African coffee market from first-hand experience. In 2007, Marco and his cousin Dylan launched renowned Mokador Coffee in Johannesburg, operating as the sole distributors of this premium Italian roasted coffee brand to the South African market.
Marco knows from his experience that the South African market differs from the Australian and English marketplace, even though the coffee culture is quickly developing, it remains about 10 years behind. However, the demand for quality coffee is growing rapidly and so Marco feels this is the perfect time to introduce Cafe2U’s mobile franchises to the market, as there is a definite space for Cafe2U.
“Many of the businesses in South Africa are in business parks meaning employees need to drive to get to their local café. Cafe2U offer amazing coffee and café style bites served at your business address, which is a concept we believe consumers will be very excited about,” says Marco.
“We cannot wait to launch our first van into the market and introduce South Africa to the amazing coffee in the most convenient way possible. The South African coffee scene is going through a mini revolution,” adds Marco.
With a population of just over 50 million, Cafe2U International’s Managing Director Derek Black believes this is a rare opportunity for Cafe2U to be part of the evolving demand for quality espresso coffee in South Africa.
“Cafe2U is already the largest mobile coffee franchise in the world and this development in the South African market marks the beginning of a powerful new clientele and incredible growth opportunity,” says Derek.
Cafe2U have won a multitude of awards for their franchise business model, their coffee and for their service levels. Founded in Australia, Cafe2U has been operating the business for 10 years and have expanded their franchise model to the UK 5 years ago. They already have over 50 franchise partners across the UK, and over 100 in Australia and have successfully launched in the US in 2011.
If you would like to find out how Coconut Creatives can help your franchise generate great PR please click here
Sep 24, 2012 | Clients in the Media, News
In any business, support and skills are crucial. Making the absolute most of your key skills and strengths as you start a business is reiterated again and again from Dragon’s Den presenters to Secret Millionaires alike. Stick to what you do best and get help with other vital business functions and you are much better primed for success.
Christina Gray, franchise partner Southampton
No franchise understands this better than Rosemary Bookkeeping and this is being recognised by other franchisors that have started outsourcing their bookkeeping services! Around the country, Rosemary franchise partners are helping more and more franchisors (and their franchisees) with their bookkeeping, so that they can stick to doing what they do best: servicing their customers and winning new business for future growth.
Along with the other 4 million SME businesses in the UK that are required to keep bookkeeping records which later are used by an accountant to file for tax and VAT, franchisors and franchisees are no different. Yet, managing these transactions is often the biggest headache to franchised business owners and a task that is left at the bottom of the pile. After all, winning new business and looking after customers must come as a priority.
Keeping accurate financial records for any business owner can be a daunting task. Often, franchisee business owners must provide financial information for their franchise territory and there is often additional reporting required. Franchisee business owners need a bookkeeping solution that understands this special relationship, which is why many are now turning to Rosemary Bookkeepers for the solution.
Christina Gray, Rosemary Bookkeeping franchise partner based in Southampton, already provides support to several franchisors: “The general reaction I have received working with other franchisors has been very positive. They value a tailor-made professional service th
at takes away the hassle of bookkeeping from their busy schedules.”
Rosemary Bookkeeping’s unique Rosemary System® is built around charging clients per transaction rather than per hour, so the franchisee or business owner can always clearly see what they are being charged for.
To meet demand from the growing number of franchisees and franchisors requesting Rosemary’s bookkeeping services, Rosemary Bookkeeping is now offering a dedicated support service to other franchisors. Lisa Curteis, director at Rosemary Bookkeeping says: “As a franchisor, I can fully appreciate the difficulty other franchisors experience going through the accounting process. With this dedicated service, we are aiming to save franchisors and franchisees time and money, so they can focus on making more money.”
Rosemary Bookkeeping’s franchise network continues to grow to meet demand for their expert services. Over the next few months, Rosemary Bookkeeping’s franchise network will expand to cover the Midlands and North of England as well as the established southern network of franchise partners. The latest to open is the Southport territory; open for business from late September 2012.
The Rosemary Bookkeeping franchise is based on a business concept that has been established and refined since 2002 and a franchise package focused on flexibility for its franchise partners with superb work/life balance potential.
Rosemary Bookkeeping is attending the National Franchise Exhibition on 5th & 6th October at the NEC and the Business Start Up Show 22nd & 23rd November in London. Request a free ticket for either event by emailing: franchise@rosemarybooks.co.uk or call 0845 862 0072.
Sep 23, 2012 | Clients in the Media, News
Mac Tools are pleased to announce yet another three new franchisees have launched. Cliff Zoutewelle, Lyndon Barnes and Tom Reid have joined our network of over 100 UK distributors. Mac Tools are
Tom Reid and his Mac Tools van
part of Stanley Black & Decker, an $11+ billion organisation employing over 30,000 people worldwide. They are also the owner of the world famous Stanley Black & Decker, Facom, Britool Expert and DeWalt brands.
Cliff, Lyndon and Tom have completed their training here in the UK as well as at Mac ‘Tool School’ in Ohio, USA, and were very keen to get on the road. Lyndon, a former Senior Aviation Maintenance Technician, has taken up the territory in Loughton and says:
“I really enjoyed the first few weeks on the road. It was completely different from my previous job in the aviation industry but it has really been a great experience so far.”
Comprehensive training is at the heart of Mac Tools’ success. During their launch and opening weeks, the franchisees receive hands-on support from their Regional Franchise Managers and regular support from a dedicated team of staff at the European Headquarters in Sheffield. Cliff, with 38 years of experience within the construction industry, will be distributing Mac Tools in the Shoreham territory. He is looking forward to the freedom of working independently and found his training really helpful:
“I really enjoyed the training in America as I have never been there before and it was a great place to train. I have also received great ongoing support since I started and have been out with Ed our Regional Franchise Manager a lot, which has been really helpful. It has without a doubt really helped me to have Ed on the other end of line or with me on the road because there are just all these small things that you can’t get out of a book.“
Tom has jumped into to the driver’s seat for the South Glasgow territory. He likes to be on the move and has worked, as well as lived, all over the world in recent years and explains that: “Mac Tools is a great opportunity to become my own boss and run my own business.”
With a potential UK market of over £150 million, Mac Tools is a great franchise for someone with the drive, passion and desire to work for themselves. If you are ready to take the driver’s seat with Mac Tools, please call 08450 6000 60 or email franchise@mactools.co.uk for more information.
Sep 21, 2012 | Clients in the Media, News
With four of their franchise partners shortlisted for the Beverage Standards Awards 2012, making it the 5th year for Cafe2U, the awards ceremony on 20th September was full of excitement!
Cafe2U Winners with Tom Acland
The four Cafe2U franchise partners had to reach a 4 Cup standard during anonymous judging to be shortlisted for the final awards. Laura Macrae of Cafe2U Aberdeen West, and Stephen Mcarthy of Cafe2U Wakefield were shortlisted for the Best Espresso category, whilst Nick Anderton of Cafe2U Bradford East, and Antonio Petrosino of Cafe2U Merton were shortlisted for Best Cappuccino.
Organised by the Beverage Standards Association, the UK’s out-of-home non-vending refreshment industry trade association, these awards are designed to assess the standards of service, facilities, tea, coffee (espresso, filter and milk-based) and hot chocolate. In order to ensure accurate and impartial assessment of standards, all nominees have been evaluated by anonymous, trained assessors over a period of many months.
Antonio Petrosino was delighted to win the Best Cappuccino category:
“I am privileged to receive this award as it is one of the biggest achievements in my life. A huge thanks must go to the BSA and Cafe2U for giving me this opportunity to develop and demonstrate my skills as a barista. I really do put all my effort into making a great cup of coffee for my customers, every time!”
The ceremony, hosted by Cafe2U’s own barista trainer, Jon Skinner, the UK’s top barista trainer, was a grand a celebration of all nominated establishments who have yet again proved that they have been raising the standards in the excellence of drinks and best service during 2011/12.
Tom Acland, Managing Director of Cafe2U explains why the awards are so important to him and the Cafe2U franchise network:
“We are absolutely delighted and thrilled for all our franchise partners that have taken part in this year’s competition. To have so many of them achieving 4 Cup Standard and one also winning their category has beaten all our expectations. The BSA competition and awards evening is now firmly established in the Cafe2U calendar and continues to demonstrate not only Cafe2U’s commitment, but our franchise network’s commitment to delivering exceptional coffee and other hot drinks to our customers, every day!”
Cafe2U is already the world’s largest mobile coffee franchise with over 100 mobile coffee vans in Australia and over 50 in the UK and Ireland. If you are interested in joining this successful franchise network and would like more information about the Cafe2U franchise visit: www.cafe2u.co.uk or call us on 08456 444 708.
Sep 15, 2012 | Clients in the Media, News
The growth of the coffee business in the UK is showing no signs of decline as loyal and new customers queue up for their daily cup. Tony Unstead and Donna Morris are the latest two franchise partners to launch their Cafe2U franchises.
Donna Morris & Jon Skinner barista trainer
Cafe2U delivers fresh espresso coffee, hot chocolate and a range of snacks to non-traditional locations in over 50 franchise territories across the UK. Recognising a gap in the market with big growth potential coupled with longevity, these locations are mainly work places, business parks and industrial estates situated away from the high-street.
As with all Cafe2U franchise partners, Tony Unstead will run his exclusive High Wycombe and Marlow territory from August 2012. With a background in sales and construction, easing into the world of barista skills has been a surprisingly seamless transition for Tony. Tony says: “It is a friendly, quality conscious and driven team dedicated to bringing one of the good things in life to as many people as possible.”
Cafe2U provide an industry-leading training model using their unique Acceleration Launch Programme, which accelerates your new business to higher turnover levels quickly. Within the Cafe2U network there are successful lifestyle franchise partners and high earners. You can choose to take a single van whilst some have now expanded into multi-van franchises across multi-territories.
Cafe2U hold awards for their franchise business model, as well as their excellent service levels and most recently won the Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year in the bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year 2012 awards.
Developing her territory in Motherwell, Donna Morris who recently vacated her role volunteering as a development service manager took the first step on the road to a new adventure and financial security by becoming a Cafe2U franchise partner. She cites that the “feeling of being part of larger team” was a key reason for joining the growing franchise.
A BBC feature reported in March 2012 that there are 70-million cups of coffee being sold each day and 1 in 10 adults visit a coffee outlet at least once every day as this sector continues to grow despite the economic climate. Cafe2U are capturing the mobile coffee market as coffee continues to be a key part of the British lifestyle.
To enquire about joining this exciting and growing franchise, please phone 0845 6444708 or visit www.cafe2u.co.uk to request more information.
Aug 24, 2012 | Clients in the Media, News
Motor mechanics have claimed back thousands of pounds from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) thanks to a partnership between supplier of automotive tools Mac Tools and tax refund specialist Refunds Direct.
With many mechanics unaware of their entitlement to claim back money on tools they have previously purchased, Mac Tools decided to bring in Refunds Direct to see if its team of tax refund experts could help its customers.
With claims going back as far as 1997, motor mechanics are missing out on a potential goldmine in tax refunds that could see them claim back thousands of pounds from HMRC. Carrie Large from Refunds Direct is now advising all mechanics who have bought tools within the past 15 years to assess their own personal circumstances to see if they are in line for a rebate from the taxman. Carrie said: “Many mechanics don’t realise the potential windfall that’s sitting in their toolbox. Tax can be quite a complicated subject and our service exists to take away that hassle. We’ve helped thousands of mechanics unlock that revenue with average pay-outs typically reaching £500 a time.
“Since last September, by reaching our market via Mac Tools franchisees we have put over £36,000 back into the pockets of its customers. We have many more claims ongoing and know that there are a great many more Mac Tools customers who still haven’t claimed.”
The service works on a no refund, no fee basis and is therefore risk-free for employed mechanics who would like to find out if they are in line for a rebate. Having pioneered its mechanic tool refund service, Refunds Direct has now helped secure millions of pounds in payouts for over 5,000 mechanics.
Typical payout usually happens within 12 weeks and to qualify mechanics need to have spent at least £1,500 on tools since April 1997. Carrie added: “When you start adding up the figures you soon realise that HMRC is sitting on millions of pounds that mechanics up and down the country are entitled to claim back on. In today’s times of austerity, those in the industry need as much help as possible in order to survive. By putting money back in their pockets via tax refunds to potentially spend on their business is a good thing for the economy.”
Mac Tools franchisees are trusted distributors of what many consider to be the best quality tools on the market for customers such as car dealerships, automotive repair shops, manufacturing units, and engineering companies. Currently there are over 100 franchisees operating in the UK with a potential UK market of over £150 million.
If you’re ready for a new challenge and have the drive to be part of this successful franchise network, please visit www.mactools.co.uk or call 08450 6000 60 to request more details.
