Q&A: Does Cafe2U Franchise in the UK?

Alice Tuffery, writer

Published at 18/01/2018, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

Q&A: Does Cafe2U Franchise in the UK? — Photo © cafe2u-franchise-information.jpg

Mobile coffee van businesses provide a convenient service for those who want to get their caffeine fix without making a trip to a cafe. There are a few different investment opportunities in this sector, but today we’re asking: Does Cafe2U franchise?

As the name suggests, Cafe2U brings a cafe directly to its customers. It offers freshly-brewed coffee, along with sandwiches, pastries and other delicious snacks to help people satisfy their hunger cravings quickly and easily.

Cafe2U takes its range of drinks and snacks to a multitude of different locations, from office blocks and industrial parks to community and sporting events. The business has been on the road since 2004 and has a network of almost 100 vendors operating across the UK, from Brighton to Aberdeen.

Does Cafe2U franchise?

Yes! It can get investors up and running from their own Mercedes-Benz van within just six weeks. Keep reading to find out more about the opportunity and how you can get involved.

History of Cafe2U

Cafe2U has come a long way since the first prototype mobile cafe van was set up in 2000 on Sydney's northern beaches. The model proved so popular, its owners franchised the business just four years later. At this point, the brand was launched in the UK by managing director Tom Acland, who had been one of Cafe2U’s first customers while living in Australia.

In 2004, the franchise established its first UK business unit in Leeds, and the company became as busy as it had been on the other side of the world. Today, over 220 franchisees operate their own Cafe2U franchise units with no rent or staff to worry about.

Since launching its franchise model, Cafe2U has won several national awards from the Beverage Standards Association (BSA). It has been recognised for the quality of its coffee, the success of its franchisees and the standard of its training.

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Starting a Cafe2U franchise unit

Cafe2U gives its franchisees equally profitable territories in the UK, but the harder you work, the more profit you stand to make. Most Cafe2U franchisees run a single-van business and, as a result, achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Plus, the mobile cafe franchise has a huge selection of different coffee options, so investors can be proud of the products they’re selling and passionate about distributing them. Cafe2U choses blends from premium coffee growing regions across the world, which are then shipped to franchisees within four weeks.

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Becoming a Cafe2U franchisee:

When you’ve committed to opening a franchise unit, you’ll be enrolled onto the company’s four-week training programme, which takes place at the Cafe2U Academy in Yorkshire.

The first week of the training course teaches you all the skills you’ll need to launch your coffee van business, from barista techniques to business management. In week two, you’ll get support with pre-launch activity in your territory. The final two weeks make up Cafe2U’s Acceleration Package, which gets your business off the ground in a process that would ordinarily take up to three months.

For every day of your launch period, the franchise guarantees you a revenue of at least £275.

We’re growing fast and if you’re looking for a genuine franchise with proven demand, flexible hours, high profit margins and repeat sales then this may be the business you have been waiting for. —Martyn Ward, Cafe2U UK Chief Executive Officer

How much you need to invest:

The cost of opening a Cafe2U franchise unit is likely to be around £80,000 in total. If you have a low budget, the business may be able to help you secure finance solutions and limit your personal contribution to £15,000.

Cafe2U is a flexible franchise, so you’re in charge of the hours you work. The more time and effort you put in, the higher your profits will be - your working schedule is up to you.

The company has provided a guide to franchisee revenue potential; making £300 per week and attending 18 events could help you generate over £80,000 in a year. But if your weekly sales rise to £500, you’ll see a turnover of almost £130,000 per year.

What you get for your investment:

In return for your investment, you’ll receive an exclusive territory licence, initial stock, uniform, a marketing pack and the chance to take part in the company’s training scheme. You’ll also be part of a franchise with delicious, high-quality products and a five-star hygiene rating.

Cafe2U will also make sure your Mercedes-Benz Vito van is fitted to fully comply with all food safety and local government environmental health regulations.

Plus, once you’re part of the network, you’ll be able to attend its regular regional and national networking events. And Cafe2U’s franchise team is always on hand to provide business support through phone calls and on-site visits.

Joining the food service industry

If you like the sound of the Cafe2U franchise opportunity and think you’d be a great fit for the business, you might like to register your interest with the investment team. You can take this first step by getting in touch with the company via its website or its profile page here on Point Franchise.

If Cafe2U isn’t quite what you’re looking for in a franchise, there are plenty of alternative options in the mobile coffee van sector. To find other fantastic investment opportunities, take a look at the current selection of mobile coffee franchises on our books. And if you want to widen the net further, why not browse our full range of van-based franchises or our other cafe businesses?

You can find all these lucrative opportunities and many more from the main menu, where you can narrow down your choice by location, price and sector.