Award-winning Aussie favourite Muffin Break is going places. It is poised to open its second express model in a railway station as it ramps up expansion to busy transit locations.

From bus, metro and train stations to bustling airports, the brand is delivering the ideal grab-and-go treat, a barista-made coffee and a delicious muffin.

Muffin Break’s chief development officer, Matthew Williams, says major passenger hubs are an exciting option.

“Muffin Break has had a transit model at Redfern Station in Sydney for five years. In this express model we use the latest technology in coffee-making to turn around a barista coffee in 35 seconds,” Matthew says.

“Our customers are in a hurry, so we provide a top quality coffee and a muffin in next-to-no time.”

Muffin Break express cafe expands interstate

This fast-paced option is about to extend interstate.

“We are about to open a new cafe in Brisbane Central Station, then one at Southern Cross in Melbourne,” Matthew reveals. 

He says Sydney’s Barangaroo and the new metro line offer exciting retail opportunities too.

Australia could have up to 30 transit-site Muffin Breaks across stations and airports, he adds.

In August, Muffin Break will join its sibling Foodco brand Jamaica Blue at Perth International Airport.

“Before that we have a cafe opening in the new Merivale centre in Christchurch with a new franchisee. We’re excited about that, it reflects a lifting of confidence in the marketplace,” Matthew says.

“Our sales have been strong in New Zealand, it’s still affordable coffee and a muffin is a treat.”

Smaller footprint cafe offers a lower investment

As a smaller format cafe focused entirely on grab-and-go, the express model offers a more tightly-curated menu than full-sized cafes.

“We concentrate on muffins and coffee, which account for about 90 per cent of sales,” Matthew says.

“This is a smaller footprint with a simplified operation, it can be run with just two or three staff. So it’s a lower investment level too, which appeals to potential business owners right now.”

Muffin Break’s express model starts at about $170,000 for a turnkey investment, and it can offer a substantial return on investment, Matthew points out.

Franchisees investing in this dynamic business model will operate in a fast-paced environment where speed and accuracy of orders are crucial.

“Trading hours kick off at 6am so franchisees need to be early risers. They need to be hands-on, and able to cope with a high-velocity environment,” Matthew explains. “This is not a cafe with a relaxed vibe, this is fast-paced,” he points out. 

The ability to open a cafe in a prime location is one of the benefits of buying into a franchise rather than opening a cafe independently, he says.

“We pick strong destination sites with constant traffic flow, not one-off destinations where you have to build up the foot traffic yourself. If you’re going to invest in a cafe, go with a well-loved brand, and utilise its power,” he says.

A customer favourite, Muffin Break is a strong franchise option too

Matthew is thrilled that Muffin Break has once again won the Roy Morgan Coffee Shop of the Year, award. It’s the sixth customer satisfaction award win, and the third in a row, for the chain.

“Muffin Break is an affordable option and customers love this. There’s negativity around cost of living and the economy; however we remain resilient and are not unduly affected by this. Most people will still treat themselves with a coffee and a muffin once or twice a week,” he says.

The brand’s affordability, for both customers and franchisees, makes this an appealing business option right now.

And it has the stamp of approval from franchisees. When the Muffin Break cafe opens in Perth Airport later this year it will be the third Foodco business for the franchisees. They already operate Muffin Break at Adelaide Airport, and opened Jamaica Blue at Perth Airport earlier this year.

More franchisees are adding to their initial business with a second or third cafe.

“Our franchisees who opened the Castle Towers cafe in Sydney late last year are already looking for a second business,” Matthew says.

“There is plenty of opportunity for franchisees wanting to expand to multiple sites if they can show high operational standards and financial controls,” he says.

Limited time $30K offer

Matthew reveals this is a great time to invest in a Muffin Break, with a special offer for early-bird franchisees.

“Our limited-time $30,000 offer and a fast-paced model as a lower investment option make this an exciting time to buy a Muffin Break cafe,” Matthew explains.

Franchise buyers who sign a Muffin Break letter of offer before 30 June 2025 can benefit from a brilliant $30,000 incentive*.

“We will credit $30,000 to the franchise partner’s royalty account. This is an initiative to really help people establish themselves in the first six months of operations,” Matthew says.

*Terms & Conditions Apply.