Jamaica Blue is leveraging its power as a great coffee and food brand to empower locals across the country to step into business ownership.

It’s a business primed to help new franchisees find their feet. From comprehensive training and support to a cashflow incentive to help business owners through the first few months.

Cashflow incentive assists new franchisees

Jamaica Blue is offering a one off $30.000 credit to franchisees’ royalty accounts. This means franchisees pay no royalty fees until the $30,000 credit on their accounts has been used up.

Matthew Williams, chief development officer at Jamaica Blue, explains. “This is the best way to help new franchisees with cashflow while they are learning the business,” he says.

First time franchise buyers of brand-new stores can qualify for the incentive. To be eligible, they must sign a letter of offer and pay a deposit before 31 October 2025.

Jamaica Blue in hospitals

The loved cafe chain has plenty of opportunities in shopping centres, but it isn’t the only path to success.

Jamaica Blue’s most recent launch is at Griffith Hospital as part of the hospital’s million-dollar redevelopment. “Nurses, doctors, orderlies, shift workers, they’re all busy and they all love their coffee. They appreciate having a great quality coffee offer combined with fresh food. The Jamaica Blue brand is always well received,” Williams says.

Jamaica Blue is the country’s largest cafe provider in the private hospital network. With the opening of the new Griffith Hospital location there are now six in New South Wales, four each in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, three in Western Australia and one in the Northern Territory.

The growing hospital footprint provides fresh opportunities for franchise buyers keen to be a part of Jamaica Blue’s success.

Jamaica Blue takes off in airports

Another diversification strategy is taking the brand into airports across Australia. 

Earlier this year, a franchisee who successfully operates another Foodco franchise brand, Muffin Break, at Adelaide Airport, has spread his wings and launched Jamaica Blue into Perth Airport. It’s a business that has taken off, achieving the top slot for revenue across the country.

“This success has opened doors to secure additional airport sites. We hope to open more next year,” Matthew says.

Jamaica Blue doesn’t limit its opportunities only to proven operators within prime sites. First time franchisees are eligible if they have the right skill set.

Jamaica Blue goes to great lengths to ensure the operational standards, performance and management skills of franchisees is at a very high level.

“We provide a comprehensive training program, tailored to the individual needs of our franchise partners. From culinary skills to customer service to human resources, our training programs assist operators if they are missing certain skills or attributes, and support them in gaining the necessary accreditations.

“Airport sites operate very long hours from 6am to 10pm, seven days a week. At all times there needs to be someone on site with the right skills and the appropriate safety and food accreditations,” Matthew points out.

Great coffee, food and systems

“We need really switched on operators who can deliver great service, great food, and exceptional coffee using our award-winning blend,” Matthew says.

Jamaica Blue has tallied up 10 Golden Bean Australasia coffee awards over the past two years alone; the chain won three bronze and one gold award this year, for its signature blend, single origin and decaf coffees.

Of course, it takes more than great coffee to establish a good business reputation. It takes good systems and processes, and a focus on franchisee profitability.

It’s that combination of great products, superb service, and robust support that has helped build the Jamaica Blue footprint to 110 stores in Australia, seven in New Zealand, and 24 in the UK.

“We have a lot of potential in the UK where the coffee market is dominated by chains which provide pre-packaged, bought-in food. Jamaica Blue’s sit-down cafe with freshly made meals stands out,” Matthew says.

For Australian franchisees, seeing the brand establish itself in major markets like the UK adds depth to the business.

“Potential franchisees can see this is a growing business. They can see we are serious about developing the brand, that it is fresh and forward-looking. People are rightly proud of the Jamaica Blue brand,” Matthew adds.