Matthew Williams, Jamaica Blue’s chief development officer, reveals more about the popular cafe chain in the Franchise Business Q&A.

How long has the business been trading?

Jamaica Blue has been serving great coffee since 1992.

What does it cost to buy a franchise?

From $320,000.

What are the core areas of business?

At Jamaica Blue we pride ourselves on serving premium coffees with classic café favourites. We think of ourselves as your ‘go to’ for great coffee and fresh tasty dishes. We know that great coffee, great food and great service can make a big difference to your day so that’s what we do. 

The Jamaican Blue Mountains, one of the best coffee growing regions in the world,  is where our coffee inspiration originates, and for over 30 years we have been delivering perfect across all of our locally owned and operated cafes.

Who is a typical customer and do you have any plans to reach a different demographic?

Young families are our largest demographic, but we also tailor our offer for a catch up with friends, a brunch with mum and dad or just a quiet coffee and refresh when you are on the go. 

What makes your brand stand out from the competition? 

• Three exclusive coffees: our Signature Blend, our Seasonal Single Origin Coffees and our Blue Mountain Coffee.
• Our unique welcoming café design and prime locations in shopping centres, hospitals and high streets.
• Classic café dishes combined with unique seasonal menus provide JB customers with variety along with tasty breakfast and lunch offers along with sweet treats.
• Our loyalty program with generous rewards for our regulars

Why is this a good business for a franchisee to buy into?

We serve award-winning coffee; our name comes from the famous Jamaica Blue Mountains. We use only the finest beans, roasted skillfully and crafted to perfection by our trained baristas.

Each Jamaica Blue store is designed to be an oasis of refreshing quality. Our classic menus have seasonal twists, all made from the freshest local ingredients available. 

Unwavering commitment to quality and comprehensive support of franchisees. We work shoulder to shoulder with our franchisees  to help them build their businesses and be successful. From our in-depth initial training to our ongoing business mentoring and clever marketing campaigns, we’ll have your back all the way.

Which element of franchisee support that you provide do you think is the most well received and why?

Our training! You’ll undergo an initial two-week intensive program which covers all aspects of essential business management, culinary skills and food prep, accredited barista training, human resources and more. 

You’ll also receive 10 days in-store field support from two accredited Jamaica Blue consultants, and on-going mentoring for the lifetime of your business.

How many hours a week does a franchisee typically work? 

Our most successful franchisees all work full time in their cafes. Running a café can be very rewarding, however it is hard work!

What drives your growth strategy?

Our growth strategy is based around considered site selection including the best possible commercial terms. We are looking for locations that will perform strongly for multiple lease terms. 

What are your expansion plans for the next five years?

We are looking at steady growth over the next five years of 12-15 cafes a year in Australia . We also have more Jamaica Blue cafes planned in hospital and airport locations. 

What’s coming up?

We’ll be rolling out a brilliant new design for our cafes, creating a relaxing sanctuary for families, for younger and older generations, to relax and enjoy the amazing coffee and food along with the Jamaica Blue App which is to be launched later this year.