Expansion for Jamaica Blue
Cafe chain Jamaica Blue opened an eighth outlet in New Zealand on Friday and said the new shop would pave the way for further expansion.
Founded in Australia in 1992, the franchise company plans to open five new Kiwi stores by the end of the year, in addition to the newly opened cafe in Brown’s Bay, Auckland.
It now operates more than 160 cafe´s worldwide. Jamaica Blue is a member of global business Foodco Group and is a sister company to Muffin Break.
Foodco Group has become one of Australasia’s biggest food and coffee franchise business retailers, concentrating on mall and high street locations.
It now comprises Muffin Break, Jamaica Blue and Dreamy Donuts, and has more than 420 business outlets operating across Australia, China, Singapore, India, the UK and UAE, as well as New Zealand.
New Zealand General Manager of Foodco, Jon Hassall, said the rapid success of the franchise was down to the Jamaica Blue cafe´ experience.
‘‘The Jamaica Blue concept really is unique, with its three varieties of coffee, our seasonal menus and our amazing cafe´ design,’’ he said.
Hassall said the company was built on offering exclusive coffees to meet an increasingly sophisticated customer demand, including an award-winning Signature Blend.
Franchisees however have the freedom to respond to local tastes and use local produce.
‘‘There are some exciting opportunities in the pipeline and we can’t wait for our customers to get a chance to experience them,’’ Mr Hassall said.
Jamaica Blue picked up awards for best innovation and best franchise support network in the food and beverage category of Australia’s prestigious QSR awards last year.