Cover Story: Muffin Break – Build a Life You Love

Muffin Break first opened its doors in Coolangatta, Queensland in 1989, and has since grown to more than 280 locations throughout Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

You’ll find the Muffin Break bakery cafes in most local shopping centres. But as the brand continues to innovate and evolve, you can find stores in locations such as airports, train stations as well as children’s play centres, through their licensed partnership with Crocs Playcentres.

Each Muffin Break store is locally owned and operated by franchisees who are proud members of the communities they serve and love nothing more than to see their customers leave with a smile on their face.

Business Franchise magazine visited Raja Parekh from the Muffin Break Traralgon store, to chat about his story, supporting his community, and providing his customers with freshly baked muffins, food items and delicious coffee.

The Muffin Break family

Raja Parekh was no stranger to running and managing hospitality businesses and had always dreamed of one day owning his own business.

“In my early days, I managed many hospitality businesses, but I had always dreamed of owning my own business when I was more financially secure,” explains Raja.

“I studied hotel management and catering and have had years of experience managing cafes and function rooms in Melbourne, then l moved into retail management for 15 years. In 2016 I decided to finally make a move and open my own Muffin Break café.”

Reputable, reliable and trusted for over 30 years, joining the Muffin Break family means you are joining one on the world’s most recognised franchise brands in the country.

“I have always been passionate about hospitality and Muffin Break offered me the opportunity to own my business. I was not going in blind because Muffin Break has such a strong brand image with great systems, processes, training and support systems in place,” explains Raja.

“I have always been passionate about hospitality and Muffin Break offered me the opportunity to own my business.”

“Muffin Break has allowed me to be my own boss and build the work life balance I wanted,” says Raja.

Muffin Break offers its potential franchisees established business systems and processes, initial and ongoing franchise operations and marketing support, local and national marketing campaigns, accredited training, plus strong local and international franchise growth.

Their attention to detail and high-quality ingredients are an essential part of that growth as is the training and support which Muffin Break offers to all of their franchisees.

Support

Support and training give the Muffin Break franchisees a considerable advantage. The brand is known throughout the franchising world for their award-winning, intensive training programs, which ensure that all franchisees and their employees have the edge in a competitive marketplace.

The accredited Muffin Break training programs include onsite training at their Centre of Retail Excellence (CORE) facility in Sydney, as well as comprehensive online training modules, assistance with business and marketing plans and field support.

“Muffin Break has a great support service in place. We are only a phone call away from our area consultants, our state managers and all departments at the head office, including the marketing and training teams, human resources and the procurement team. You don’t feel hesitant to ask a question or discuss an issue,” explains Raja.

On his advice for other potential franchisees, Raja says “If you are passionate about serving the community and building strong relationships with your customers, then go for it, and build the life that you want.”

The rewards

Muffin Break’s loyal customers know they can get an excellent cup of coffee at Muffin Break, along with a freshly baked muffin, served with a smile.

Raja says, the most rewarding part of his day is, “Having fun with our everyday customers and being able to deliver great food with exceptional service along with working with my awesome team and developing leaders in my business.”

“I love that we get to be the environment where the community can catch up with their friends and enjoy a great coffee and food options with smiling friendly service every day.”

While Raja isn’t thinking too far into the future, growing his business is definitely on his mind.

“We are currently sitting as the number two store in Victoria, and I would love to be number one so will continue to grow and develop my business.”

The Muffin Break difference

While customers will always find their favourites at Muffin Break, the brand is continually adding new menu items to reflect customers changing tastes and food attitudes.

“Our baker is hard at work early every morning making fresh muffins, as well as a variety of cakes, slices, quiches, wraps, and savoury tartlet. We offer customers fresh food options that are great value instead of the usual foods you might come across in a food court.”

Muffin Break is also aware that to stand out in today’s busy market, you need to have a comprehensive digital strategy. The marketing campaigns span traditional and new media to be top of their audience’s mind.

Serving the community

A crucial part of Muffin Break’s identity is the community, and at a local level, franchisees can support their community through a wide range of initiatives and fundraisers.

“We try and get involved in as many community events as we can, we have recently supported the R U OK day, Coffee with a Cop, Breakfast with Santa and cookie workshops. We also support the local junior cricket and soccer clubs through sponsorships, achievement awards and certificates handed out to the young players and of course, employing local staff,” says Raja.

“Traralgon is a large country town, and it is important to give back to the community as they are the ones that support you every day. The locals appreciate and support local businesses as long as you are doing the right thing. We know that creating loyal and repeat customers is one of the biggest assets a business can have.”

Are you interested in building a life you love? Find out more about franchising opportunities with Muffin Break today! https://muffinbreakfranchise.com.au