Esquires Coffee is one of the UK’s leading organic and fairtrade coffee franchises
Founded in British Columbia, Canada in 1993, Esquires Coffee has since expanded into many global territories, including China, the Middle East, Indonesia and the UK and Ireland.
The company’s vision is to become the world’s leading organic and Fairtrade coffee retailer. The brand embodies ethical and sustainable values operated by local businessmen and women, which creates a unique positioning.
Esquires stores benefit from a bespoke, fresh and contemporary design, while also maintaining a strong corporate identity. Esquires demonstrates an ‘Act Global, Think Local’ approach to its business, which is reflected in its store designs and product range.
For example, if you visit the Esquires at Coventry Transport Museum you can treat yourself to local favourite the Coventry God Cake, while taking in the artwork on the walls, which is reflective of the city’s past motor industry. It’s this localised approach that helps Esquires to stand out from the other chains on the high street.
Today’s café experience demands excellence in service, as well as a premium beverage selection, accompanied by the very best available food offering. Esquires has developed a selection of gourmet food and Fairtrade and organic coffee, speciality teas, fruit and veggie smoothies and milkshakes.
Esquires is an established franchise system that has proven successful in many different models and markets. The company provides a tailor-made solution for every franchise partner’s needs, which includes full training, assistance with site selection and procurement, store design, lease negotiation, plus operational and marketing support.
Franchise partners also receive regular store visits, which focus on key performance indicators and profitability.
As franchise partner Steven Prime explains: “It’s all about the support from Esquire’s head office. They do the research into developing the brand, the model and pushing it in a progressive direction. They are always a phone call away and are there to push me in the right direction to maximise my return on investment.”
Esquires’ combination of outstanding store design and branding, commitment to world class operating systems and its range of food and beverages makes the brand a leading contender in the competitive coffee market.
With the UK coffee market set to be worth over £15 billion by 2020 and the branded coffee segment alone set to exceed 8,500 units and a turnover of £5.7 billion, it’s a good time to invest in an Esquires franchise.
The brand is currently operating in 10 countries and is actively recruiting master franchisors and single and multi-store operators for the UK market and abroad. Investment in the UK franchise is £150,000-£265,000, dependent on the size and location of your coffee house.
Esquires has developed relationships with many banks and other finance providers, who will typically lend up to 50-70 per cent of the cost of the total investment (dependent on case by case basis). The franchise fee for single sites is £19,500. Multi-store investors pay £12,500 for additional sites.