Australia
30 October 2007
Zarraffa’s Coffee has launched south east Queensland’s first coffee training academy on the Gold Coast.
The specialty coffee retailer, wholesaler, roaster and franchisor has opened the training centre, which is a replica of a standard Zarraffa’s coffee shop, offering technologically advanced equipment and accredited baristas, for the company’s new and existing franchisees.
The academy was created with franchisees in mind, who are typically experienced small business owners, but not always from the hospitality industry; the training centre aims to enhance the coffee business start-up and ultimately, the service delivered to the consumer.
Rebecca Swain, training manager at Zarraffa’s said, “Getting the opportunity to work alongside our franchisees at the academy really strengthens the relationship and gives us the opportunity to lift the quality of both the product and the service delivered to our customers.
“In the past training was conducted in store, with the added pressure of performing ‘live’ in front of customers. We often found ongoing maintenance, which franchisees would come up against in their own stores, was not being covered. Things like regularly clearing water filters and monitoring water pressure. We can now equip them with all this knowledge at the academy, and they can learn on the job by physically carrying out their duties in a perfectly simulated, safe environment,” she said.
The training academy has the capacity to accommodate owners, managers and staff equivalent to four coffee shops at the one time. It combines a board room for theoretical training, and alongside it, the shop for practical application - making coffee, pouring coffee and delivering the Zarraffa’s brand of customer experience.
By the end of this year, the academy will also offer certified Advanced and Master Barista certificates to all Zarraffa’s employees.
The academy is located behind one of the busiest and consistently highest performing Zarraffa’s coffee outlets at Harbour Town shopping centre, in Biggera Waters.
Zarraffa’s CEO Kenton Campbell said the academy represented the logical next stage of its ongoing commitment to excellence in coffee roasting, retailing and service.
“We recognised a need for a customised educational program that gave our franchisees an understanding of the science behind the art of espresso,” he said. “Our training team have an extensive background in coffee blending, roasting and customer service combined with practical skills which they are happy to share.”
The first Zarraffa’s Coffee franchise opened in 2001 at the Myer Centre in Brisbane’s CBD. Since then, Zarraffa’s has continued to open stores across south east Queensland and Sydney with the total store count now at 23.
Franchisees pay between $300,000 and $400,000 for a Zarraffa’s Coffee franchise.
Source :
www.foodweek.com.au
