Women brew success with family friendly coffee franchise

Written on the 18 March 2009

WHILE most franchise companies find it increasingly difficult to attract female franchisees, Xpresso Delight has recruited women to fill almost 40 percent of its franchise network.

In an industry considered to have a low representation of women, it is a corporate feat to have women comprising 39 percent of Xpresso Delight franchisees compared to the industry average of 27.9 percent as released in the Franchising Australia 2008 report.

Xpresso Delight co-founders Stephen Spitz and Paul Crabtree said the business model was ideal for women looking for the flexibility to spend more time with their families and still earn a full-time income.

“Xpresso Delight places fully automated, commercial grade, gourmet espresso coffee machines into workplaces free of charge so the business model allows a lot of time flexibility,” Mr Spitz said.

”The machines are sitting there making money while franchisees can also be looking after their family. The original purpose for the business was to provide an opportunity that maximised the time to money ratio.

“Our franchisees can service their machines for a couple of hours each day or consolidate their work into a couple of days and have the rest of the week off. It’s the perfect business to work around family commitments; you have the time to drop the kids at school, run errands or go to the gym during the day.

“A typical Xpresso Delight franchisee would work under 10 hours per week and earn better than the national average wage. A lot of our franchises are also owned by husband-and-wife teams with the woman going out and servicing the machines while their partner will help set up the business and locate the machines.”

Xpresso Delight provides the perfect blend of work and family life for Bexley franchisee Laila Kennedy, the mother of Kane, 10 and Liam, 12. Laila works an average of 20 hours per week and earns a turnover in excess of $85,000 per year.

“The business provides me with a relatively passive income so I can avoid the long hours of other types of franchises and still earn a fantastic income,” Laila said.

“I’m doing something I really enjoy with the flexibility to manage my time between family and work life, and I’m also supplementing my family’s income. It has created a balance in my life which is something all mothers want.

“I have constant support from Xpresso Delight’s master agents who are always there for me with marketing and technical advice. My biggest challenge has been learning how to repair the machines and if there is an issue they’re just a phone call away.”

Mr Crabtree said that the business was ideal for first-time business owners or mothers who were returning to the workforce.

“Women who have been out of the workforce for a while are not hindered in being able to run this business because it doesn’t require any particular expertise or skill set,” he said. “Machine maintenance, marketing and business skills are all taught in our comprehensive training program and six week marketing action plan.

“Xpresso Delight is also a less risky proposition than many other franchises because we offer a money back guarantee which promises franchisees will make a minimum 40 percent revenue return on capital investment within the first six months or their franchise fee is refunded.”

Xpresso Delight was ranked 2nd fastest-growing franchise by revenue and 12th fastest-growing franchise by outlet in BRW’s Fast Franchises 2008. The company also won the “2008 Australian Business Award for Enterprise” in their industry.