Quality Alternative

Poco Coffee wants to achieve national coverage across the UK through franchising

Richard and Angela Sutton founded Poco Coffee in 2012. They’re both passionate about coffee and how coffee shops and the cafe culture have redefined social boundaries, attracting customers from the full spectrum of society.

Poco - Spanish for small - aims to be a quality alternative to some of the bigger brand high street coffee/cafe operators.

Active engagement

The company is looking to operate in locations where it can establish the brand at the heart of the community and build strong relationships with customers and the wider community through active engagement and delivery of in-store products via excellent customer service.

Poco Coffee offers a traditional barista style cafe experience, a full range of coffees, iced and speciality teas, hot chocolates, smoothies and frappes.

Food includes freshly made sandwiches, paninis and toasties, home-made soups and stews, plus a wide selection of both continental style pastries and traditional cakes. A full English breakfast is also served.

In addition, Poco Coffee likes to offer one or two ‘localised’ menu items within outlets to further enhance the connection with the local customer base.

Delivering an experience as much as a latte, music and big visual impact via wall decoration to both relax and inspire customers is utilised.

Richard and Angela have decided to expand the business and achieve national coverage across the UK through franchising.

Richard explains: “We believe high quality franchisees will better serve our purpose and attract highly motivated and capable individuals, who through their franchise investment will have an appetite and passion to make a success of their business.

“Franchising is one of the most significant, stable and sustainable growth strategies a business can implement, but as with any venture it must be done right.

“Our support and training is geared to helping our franchisees hit the ground running and achieve success in a structured and methodical way.”

Poco Coffee wants to recruit franchisees who are self motivated, possess business acumen and awareness, are organised with effective time management skills, are good communicators and enjoy meeting and working with people.

They need to be good listeners, open to advice and guidance and possess a passion to deliver exceptional customer service.

Poco Coffee provides you with a complete business format franchise. This includes a comprehensive five-day initial training programme held at an established outlet.

The course covers accounts and administration, processes and systems, sales and marketing, customer service, business development and all the aspects involved in setting up and running your own business.

Ongoing, bespoke, refresher training and support is provided, as is a launch programme to help you generate publicity in your area.

Loyalty scheme

A loyalty scheme is set up within your store. Customers receive birthday cake and other offers, which help to build a database of loyal customers and brand loyalty.

The Poco Coffee website is designed to showcase the brand and plays a significant role in the marketing of the business. You will have access to the Poco Coffee social media platform, which gives you the chance to build your own social media following.

Total initial investment is between £30,000-£90,000 (plus VAT), which includes the franchise fee, equipment, fit-out and working capital. This will vary depending on individual circumstances, requirements and location of your intended outlet.

Poco Coffee has access to funders for initial start-up costs or asset leasing.