Cafe2U Seminar & Franchisee Awards
1st February 2008 - Cafe2U
Cafe2U proudly held its second National Seminar and Franchisee Awards on Saturday 5th January 2008. The day was a celebration of the achievements of Cafe2U as a franchise system. Tom Acland MD proudly opened the conference with a list of some of the top achievements from 2007:
- Cafe2U now has 28 operating franchise partners
- We opened our first franchise in Belfast in September.
- Coffee sales are up per franchise on last year as are overall sales.
- Cafe2U were filmed and broadcast on a business news program on BBC2.
- Several franchisees are thinking of opening a second outlet (One franchisee already has!).
- Four new franchises are all ready to start in the next four weeks.
- Ian Holmes won one of the BSA awards for Beverage excellence, in November.
Tom said “Cafe2U, the brand, is seen as an ambassador of great coffee, great standards, and as such our reputation is growing, resulting in higher sales of coffee and other products on a weekly basis. This has been reflected in a sharp rise in enquiries into the office from event organisers, and from companies wanting help with PR or marketing their own events.
Cafe2U aims for excellence, in fact as our tag line suggests Cafe2U is about being supreme in every way. From choosing the right beans, the right vans and the right branding. We strive to provide the best training and franchise support, and have a continual improvement process in place for this. Our franchisees are our partners, and together we have got the brand to the position it is in, and together we will continue to move it forward, and improve on the standards we have.”
Once again the highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Cafe2U franchisee awards. The first award – The Supreme Bean Award was won by two franchisees this year, Brian & Angela Wills from Basingstoke and Jeff Peters from Belfast.
Brian and Angela have been trading for just over 18 months and have proven with hard work and determination they have been able to take their business to the very highest levels of sales and standards as well as their brilliant use of flavour!
Jeff who was our first franchisee in Belfast in September has broken all the rules for the most successful franchise start and accelerating coffee sales. Already after only three months Jeff has his second van in the pipeline with a third expected by the end of 2008.
Brian and Angela’s award was presented by Alex Dawson Cafe2U’s Commercial Manager out on their daily round. Brian and Angela were thrilled to win the award.
Cafe2U Barista of the Year was won by Laurie Lee from Edinburgh. The quality of the Cafe2U coffee is second to none. Cafe2U customers go out of their way to praise the quality of the coffee, but also the quality of the person making the coffee. Making ‘great espresso’ coffee is an art form and vital to the success of all franchisees businesses. Cafe2U were glad to have Jon Skinner (A UK Barista Championship Judge) to present the award.
An emotional and proud Laurie couldn’t quite believe he had won the award, but the judges this year were very clear that this was no fluke! Laurie is already working extra hard to ensure this success could lead to even greater success in next years UK Barista Heats – watch this space coffee lovers!
The final award – Cafe2U Franchisee of the Year was won by Ian Holmes from Leeds. It was only fitting that Tom Acland MD, presented the award himself. He was very clear about the criteria laid down to win this very special accolade
“Operating a Cafe2U franchise can be very rewarding, can be fun, is certainly a very sociable occupation, and is financially rewarding. However like any business where the buck stops with you there are not so glamorous sides to it as well – cleaning, ordering, stock takes, van presentation, and having to be on top of your game at 8.15am!”
“The decision was of course helped by Ian’s success last year as Cafe2U Barista of the year, but more importantly and certainly one of Cafe2U’s proudest moments to date Ian’s additional win of a Best Beverage Experience Award by the Beverage Service Association.”
“By giving Ian Holmes Cafe2U Franchisee of the Year Award we knew this award was being passed onto someone who has performed at a consistently high level throughout their time as a franchisee. All aspects of Ian’s coffee service, van 
presentation, customer service skills, turnover, profitability, support of other franchisees, and contribution back to the franchise in terms of ideas and feedback are first class.”
Ian was absolutely thrilled, but never one to rest on his laurels closed the awards vowing “to push the standards and customer service experience even higher in 2008 and as with the theme of the today’s conference continue serving smart.”
Jon Skinner, Tom Acland MD, Ian Holmes Cafe2U Granary Wharf & Holbeck (Leeds) and Laurie Lee from South Gyle & Edinburgh Park (Edinburgh) Accepting “Cafe2U Franchisee of the Year” & “Cafe2U Barista of the Year”
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