Michel's Patisserie named Australia's best coffee shop

Written on the 2 March 2012 by Retail Food Group

In the competitive world of coffee franchises, Michel's Patisserie has proven it's a sip above the rest by being awarded Coffee Shop of the Year by Roy Morgan Research.

The award is part of the inaugural Roy Morgan Research Customer Satisfaction Awards, where an independent customer satisfaction survey found that Michel's was Australia's highest rated coffee shop.  It beat competitors such as McCafe, The Coffee Club, Gloria Jeans, Hudsons Coffee, Donut King and Starbucks.

Michel's Patisserie Marketing Manager Pia Harrison said the award confirmed the feedback they had been receiving from Australia's coffee lovers.

"Our customers have always complimented our stores for their friendly service and award-winning coffee, but it is gratifying to have this confirmed," she said.

"The secret to Michel's success is simple great tasting coffee.  Our team of talented baristas and our full-bodied and flavoursome blend hold the key to delivering a great brew and happy customers."

Ms Harrison said Michel's coffee blend had been designed for the Australian palate, using the highest grade beans from Brazil, India, Ethiopia, New Guinea and Australia, and was brought to life by talented coffee experts.

"We use Australia's only internationally-certified Quality Coffee Grader and Roaster, Mick Kiely, to ensure our coffee is the best.   We also have a full-time expert Master Roaster, Instaurator, to ensure our beans meet strict quality standards and who is forever tasting and perfecting our coffee for the highest quality blend.

"At the same time, all of Michel's baristas go through rigorous written and practical training through our national barista course before they can make coffee in store.  We also roast all of our coffee in our own dedicated facility to ensure consistency in every cup." 

Ms Harrison said Michel's would not rest on its laurels, but was continually on the lookout for ways to improve the customer experience and to brew the perfect cup.

"We work hard to develop the skills and proficiencies of all our staff from making the best soy macchiato to creating the tastiest double short black.   Our goal is to have the best baristas in town making great tasting coffees our customers love."

Michel's Patisserie's has won a number of independent accolades, including Best Tasting Coffee in Australia by CHOICE Magazine in 2010, The Golden Bean's Coffee Roaster Competition in 2010, 2007 & 2006, the American Specialty Coffee Association's Best Espresso award in 2005 and was the coffee used by the Winner of the World Barista Championship in 2003.

There are more than 330 Michel's Patisserie stores operating across Australia, employing about 3,100 staff and serving around 26 million cups of coffee and 9.5 million slices of cake each year. The Michel's Patisserie franchise network is owned and managed by Retail Food Group (RFG).