Franchisee FAQs.

According to the most recent report from industry expert Franchise Supermarket, 621,000 people in the UK are employed within the franchising industry, with 97% of franchisee-run businesses turning a profit, indicating that investing in a franchise remains an excellent choice for anyone looking for a career change in 2024.

At Cafe2U, we have a network of circa 100 franchise partners, so we know that deciding to become a franchisee is a big decision, and that those thinking of taking the plunge will have lots of questions to ask.

For anyone thinking of investing in a franchise like ours this year, these are some of the ones we get asked the most!

How much control will I have over my business?

People in the UK are increasingly on the lookout for jobs that offer them the opportunity to take control of their own work destiny and becoming a franchisee does exactly that.

Franchisees are essentially self-employed so, even though you become a Cafe2U partner, you still have the autonomy to make your own decisions on a huge variety of issues, including where, when and for how long you work each week, giving you a flexible job that fits in with your lifestyle and improves your work/life balance. With working from home now the 'new normal', running a business that can adapt to different locations and settings is a great idea and one that is likely to see the franchising industry continue to flourish over the coming months.

If you've ever dreamed of being your own boss, becoming a franchisee will make that dream come true.

How long does becoming a franchisee take?

While results may vary, becoming a franchisee is essentially a simple process that involves an interview between the franchisor and franchisee to ensure suitability, the drawing up and signing of a contract, buying into the franchise and then training for the new role, which may only take a few weeks. After that, you're up and running!

If you want to get a new business off the ground in a hurry, franchising is the answer to your prayers.

How risky is investing in a franchise?

Changing jobs always carries a certain degree of risk but, as we mentioned earlier, the fact that 97% of UK-based franchisees currently run in profit, with fewer than 1% of franchisors closing due to commercial failure, shows that the franchise industry remains a very safe bet for those who choose to join it.

Compare that to the fact that only 40% of new businesses in the UK survive more than three years and it's not hard to see why the industry is so popular.

And the reasons for this are simple. Becoming a franchisee increases your chance of succeeding because your customers are already aware of your brand and its reputation, meaning you have an established customer base that would otherwise take years to build, saving you both time and money on costly promotional activity designed to raise brand awareness.

What is my earning potential?

As we've already mentioned, the franchising industry is a profitable one but 'profitable' could be an understatement. Consistently good performances will see your income increase as a direct result, making your earning potential as big as you make it!

Is a Cafe2U franchise right for you?

If you're interested in becoming the owner of a mobile coffee franchise and a qualified barista operating in your own exclusive area, you can find out more about our franchise opportunities here. 

We'll supply you with everything you need to get your business off the ground, from training and equipment to ongoing support and advice on marketing. What are you waiting for?!

Cafe2U Conference 2024 Part Two - Workshops and Presentations.

Following on from our recent blog about the Cafe2U Awards that took place at our annual conference this year, here's our second blog about the event, this time taking a look at the day's workshops and presentations.

Designed to benefit our franchise partners, these sessions are invaluable, with franchisees that have put the learnings from previous years' workshops and presentations into action typically experiencing sales increases, sometimes to the tune of 37.8%! 

The conference began with a presentation from our CEO, Martyn, looking back on everything we've achieved over the last 20 years and providing some market insights (you'll be pleased to hear that the size and market value of the UK coffee industry is growing all the time!), before Cafe2U's Head of Operations provided attendees with some hints and tips on how to run a successful franchise, with advice on everything from choice of language to mindset.

Introducing Small Batch.

Next up was a representative from our partners at Small Batch Coffee Roasters, who delivered an informative presentation all about the coffee they supply to us, including how it's sourced, roasted, blended, packaged and delivered.

Coffee excellence.

The next presentation looked at the differences between commercial and speciality coffee brands, where we sit in the hierarchy of things and what this tells us about our coffee.

At Cafe2U, our coffee is hand picked and hand roasted in small batches, with each blend roasted individually to gain the best possible flavour profile from each bean. The utmost care is then taken at every part of the journey from the coffee farm to our vans.

Commercial coffee, on the other hand, is usually roasted and packed in large plants, where blends are frequently roasted together with little care for individual flavour profiles, resulting in low grade coffee quality.

As a result, we're delighted to say that, going forward, we will no longer be comparing and benchmarking ourselves against the high street's Big Three coffee retailers as we honestly believe we surpass them all in terms of coffee quality. Instead, we'll be comparing ourselves against organisations in the 'speciality' market instead - those that use only the world's best, highest-grade coffee, which comprises the top 3-5% of global yields!

We have total confidence in both our award-winning coffee beans and our award-winning baristas and we're sure this will be reflected in Cafe2U's performance over the coming months.

Good Till & Good Eats workshop.

Next up was a 'Good Till & Good Eats' workshop, in which we talked about how our franchise partners can utilise the systems we already have in place - like pre-ordering systems and reporting tools - to analyse trends and maximise profitability in an increasingly digital age populated by tech-savvy consumers.

According to a recent survey, 46% of coffee consumers prefer to self-serve or pre order, with 27% of under 25s regularly using a delivery service for their coffee orders. That's 3.3 million potential coffee consumers ready and waiting!

And finally…

The conference wrapped up with a breakout session on engaging with customers and an opportunity for franchisees to learn from each other and share tips.

As you can tell, we leave no stone unturned at our franchise partner events, so keep an eye out for the third and final conference blog in the coming weeks!

New Year, New Possibilities: Become a Franchisee in 2024.

New Year, New Possibilities: Become a Franchisee in 2024.

Almost a third of Brits are predicted to have made a new year's resolution for 2024, with doing more exercise, losing weight, drinking less and spending less time on social media among the most popular choices.

Nearly one in five resolution-makers (18%) want to advance their career goals and, if you're one of them (or have just decided you fancy a career change), now is the perfect time to consider investing in a franchise.

Of course, people unfamiliar with franchises will probably ask: "But what benefits does choosing a franchise have over getting a new job?" 

Let's take a look!

Wellbeing on your terms.

Essentially, franchisees operate as entrepreneurs, with the autonomy to make decisions on work hours, locations and duration. This flexibility creates a career that aligns with your lifestyle, fostering a work-life balance often elusive in a 9-5 job while simultaneously improving your wellbeing.

And, with more and more people working from home in 2024, investing in a franchise that can adapt to different locations and settings - like Cafe2U - is a particularly good idea!

It's profitable.

The franchise industry is renowned for its profitability, making it an attractive choice for those seeking financial growth. Consistent performance directly translates to increased income, offering limitless earning potential for franchisees.

Swift start up.

Becoming a franchisee is a straightforward process that involves an interview, the drawing up and signing of a contract, buying into the franchise and then training for the new role, which may only take a matter of weeks. After that, you're up and running!

If you don't want to hang around, franchising is one of the best ways to get a new business off the ground as soon as possible.

Low-risk venture.

Did you know that approximately 97% of UK-based franchisees currently run in profit? (Or that just 38.5% of businesses that launched in the UK in 2016 were still operating five years later?)

This success can be attributed, in part, to the ability to tap into an existing customer base that is already familiar with the brand. With a built-in trust factor, franchisees can bypass the years typically spent establishing credibility, saving both time and money on extensive promotional efforts.

Comprehensive training and support.

Opting for a franchise means gaining access to thorough training from the franchisor before your business opens. Ongoing support from both the franchisor and fellow franchisees ensures a wealth of knowledge and assistance to navigate challenges, increasing the likelihood of long-term success.

Our customers aren't going anywhere!

Even with a significant proportion of the population currently having less disposable income, there are certain products and services that people just can't do without, and research shows that good coffee is one of them!

Traditionally, consumers would splash out on new clothes or gadgets to treat themselves when they got paid. As a result of the cost of living crisis, however, people are increasingly swapping more expensive treats like these for cheaper but equally rewarding alternatives, with top-quality coffee among their favourites.

Consequently, despite the pandemic/lockdown, our sales have gone from strength to strength in recent years and this trend shows no sign of stopping.

Is a Cafe2U franchise right for you?
At Cafe2U, we have a network of circa 100 franchise partners, with new franchisees joining every month. If you're interested in developing your career by becoming the owner of a mobile coffee franchise and a qualified barista operating in your own exclusive area, you can find out more about our franchise opportunities here.