Coffee Franchise Opportunity With Cafe2U

Laurie Lee – Edinburgh

Cafe2U – What’s it all about?

Cafe2U is the premier mobile coffee franchise system, delivering great quality espresso coffee to delighted customers, in non-traditional locations – that's great coffee any time, anywhere!

Cafe2U has actively been selling franchises in the UK since the summer of 2005. Cafe2U was the first coffee franchise to take quality espresso coffee direct to its customers – truly a mobile coffee service or, as the name explains, Cafe2U! Cafe2U has now reached the magical 100 franchises worldwide, with more than 30 franchises in Britain, we are the fastest growing mobile espresso coffee business in the UK. In Australia we also have more than 70 franchises and continue to remain the No. 1 mobile espresso operator in the world!

Laurie Lee

Laurie Lee returned from Australia early in 2006. Laurie had already decided that he wanted to work for himself and Cafe2U looked like a great opportunity in a country that had only just started understanding what real espresso coffee was all about. It didn’t take long and by July 2006 Laurie began trading in Scotland in the South Gyle/Edinburgh Park area and he hasn’t had time to catch his breath since!

The following Q&A gives you an insight not only into the success that Laurie has enjoyed, but the lifestyle benefits he has enjoyed with his family.

Laurie, tell us a little about yourself and where you’re from?

I’m an archetypal Australian – hard working and laid back at the same time. I am originally from the sunny climbs of Warrnambool in Victoria – a beautiful (hot!) place.

How did you hear about Cafe2U?

I had seen a similar concept in Australia and upon my return to the UK decided to see if there was something similar in this country as I felt there was a gap in the UK market for this type of business. Cafe2U came up on a search and the rest they say is history!

How did an Aussie end up in Edinburgh selling espresso coffee?

I met my wife Bryony in Australia when we were both exploring the country. We married and had two beautiful children. We felt the time was right to bring the kids back and get to know the other side of their family. In Australia Café Culture is a way of life and we both knew there was still scope over here in the ever growing espresso based coffee market.

How have you and your family found the lifestyle of working for yourself?

The great thing about Cafe2U is the ‘life – work’ balance that we have been able to achieve. We certainly knew it was not going to be easy, and we have worked hard to build a stable platform. Choosing Cafe2U was the first step in getting this platform right. I see the kids first thing in the morning, get the van on the road by 8.30am and have the van clean and restocked by 2.30pm. I can then help pick the kids up after school and spend vital family time with them. We needed a business that would allow us this much freedom. I do various events some weekends and have added a second van to my existing territory.

Even though you are working for yourself, how does being part of Cafe2U make your life easier?

I tried to start a business in Australia and you forget about all the little things that need constant attention and the constant stress didn’t help. By joining Cafe2U we were joining a proven business model. There is a network of franchisees as well as the Cafe2U team. If I have a question, a problem or just want to have a chat with an espresso minded person I can always pick up the phone for a chat. I don’t have the stress that I associated with working for myself and certainly see franchising as a great way of working for yourself.

What targets have you hit since you joined Cafe2U?

Ever since I started I have exceeded all my expectations. My six week targets were hit in the first six days and as a family we have not looked back. I am working to a lifestyle that suits all of us.

Adding a second van was a necessity as the demand for one van had become to big to cope.

Working at events has added a valuable revenue stream to my business. Selling over 500 cups of coffee at a single event is certainly a real buzz!

What are your plans for the future?

I have to remind myself that I have only been working as a Cafe2U franchisee for six months. If all continues as planned I hope that with Cafe2U I am able to develop further opportunities in Scotland. That’s the great thing about a franchise with ambitions we know that together the continued plans for success will benefit us all if we are prepared to work hard. I hope that I can appear back here later in the year with more news………

What recommendations can you give to somebody who can’t decide between a franchise and setting up a business themselves?

Having now tried both avenues I know that the Cafe2U franchise gives me the piece of mind we as a close knit family require. I have my own support team that know the industry and have worked on the van themselves. I wouldn’t be here today answering these questions about my success if I had not joined Cafe2U.

Laurie Lee can be found Monday – Friday in the South Gyle/Edinburgh Park area of Scotland from 8.30am – 1pm. The rest of the time he will be with his family enjoying the important things in life. Laurie’s second van is trading successfully in Livingstone.

“Cafe2U is a proven concept that offers franchisees the freedom to choose their working hours and location. You do not need to have prior hospitality or coffee related experience. You can run this business on your own or with a partner, working from home with minimal overheads and guaranteed healthy returns. To ensure your success, we provide an extensive induction programme, exclusive Cafe2U territories, superb marketing support and ongoing training.”

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