Esquires serves up new café experience

MEDIA RELEASE
4 March 2015

Esquires serves up new café experience

For 13 years Esquires has been an aspiring leader in New Zealand’s rapidly developing coffee market, now the business is on a mission to become Kiwis’ café of choice.

A 2014 survey of customers and franchisees prompted Esquires to rethink the existing model and begin a process of change, explains Andrew Morgan, General Manager of Café and Bakery, Retail Food Group Limited NZ.

“We spoke to 1,300 existing Esquires customers to better understand how we can deliver them the best experience possible. What we discovered was that Kiwis tastes and the local café scene have changed since we started operating. So it was time for us to change too,” he says.

And so, for more than six months, Esquires has been brewing a new-look café experience, looking at every facet of the business - from franchisee systems to front doors, fonts to flat whites. This week they open the doors of the first new Esquires café at Christchurch’s The Hub Hornby, with more new-look cafes due to be unveiled throughout 2015.

Esquires Hornby franchisee Ange Wanoa has had positive feedback from customers about the change, including the store’s relocation to Main South Road at The Hub Hornby.

“It looks completely different, modern and on-trend. We’re excited to be able to ‘wow’ our existing customers and treat them to something special, while continuing to attract new people and show them how consistent we are with our coffee, food and customer service. We’ll provide an environment in which they feel welcome and at home.”

The new-look Esquires cafes continue to be owned and operated by New Zealanders passionate about making a difference in every cup of coffee and every plate of eggs benedict. As part of the revamp, new and improved coffee flavours have been introduced with seasonal blends to tempt customers as well as an all-new food menu, including made in store items – an Esquires first.

“We believe we’ve created something unique that will stand out in the crowded world of café chains; a playful, personality-filled space for people to take a moment and enjoy fantastic coffee and delicious menu. Change truly has been made at every level and we’re excited for Kiwis to experience the new Esquires,” adds Mr Morgan.

ENDS

ABOUT RETAIL FOOD GROUP
Retail Food Group (RFG) was established in Australia in 1989, shortly after expanding to New Zealand with bb’s café and Donut King. In 2011, RFG acquired the Australian and New Zealand rights to the Canadian-based Esquires Coffee Brand System, which operated outlets across the North and South islands. RFG also owns Evolution Coffee Roasters Group, Gloria Jeans, bb’s café, Brumby’s Bakery, Michel’s Patisserie, Crust Gourmet Pizza, Pizza Capers, Cafe2u and The Coffee Guy Brand Systems.

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