Kubarz is tapping into the Australian love of a good time with its mobile bar business.
Forget a do-it-yourself drinks service, for a function with a bit of panache there’s the Kubarz option, and it’s a business idea you can invest in. This mobile beverage catering franchise is the only one of its kind in Australia, says Drew Davies who purchased the former On Tap business in 2006.
A facelift, new name and converting the business into a franchise system followed and now the business has franchisees operating in Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter Valley and the South Coast with plans for a move into Queensland and Victoria, and eventually internationally.
THE CONCEPT
Davies saw a gap in the market for a professional beverage service traditionally handled by caterers who put all their focus on the delivery of great food. ยป He wanted to put the spotlight on the drinks.
“Turning an empty space into a fully functional, exciting bar concept is what we offer our clients. The Kubarz mobile bar concept is a modern, stylish product complete with a stainless steel serving ledge and work area with built-in LED lights.
“The work area consists of a lightweight collapsible design with built-in handles for easy transport and it stores flat so minimum storage space is required. Made of high grade stainless steel, the bar structure is very durable and sturdy,” says Davies.
The idea is to create something professionally tailored to a client’s function. Kubarz provides high quality drinks including specialised beers and wines, cocktails, mocktails, smoothies and juices; professional and fully trained beverage and wait staff; and a stylish mobile bar with a complete set-up of glassware and other bar equipment.
“Given much of the negativity surrounding bars and nightclubs these days because of violence issues, Kubarz offers a real alternative – a great bar product that ‘comes to you’, right in the comfort of your own home or office where the service can be controlled and the client has a brilliant experience,” Davies adds.
THE BUSINESS DETAILS
Typical customers range from clients hosting informal birthday parties and housewarming drinks to engagement celebrations and wedding receptions and firms organising corporate functions.
Sourcing the leads is a shared responsibility says Davies.
“We encourage franchisees to be very active in the market place, we do this by holding their hand and giving them a full local area marketing package and strategy which is systemised and structured to ensure success.”
At the same time the head office team has a national call centre that channels leads to the local offices and works to increase traffic and leads through website maintenance and updates, mini traffic sites, blogging, SEO work, local Google Adwords campaigns, electronic monthly newsletters and social media.
WHO IS THE IDEAL FRANCHISEE?
Someone looking for the freedom and flexibility to work for themselves and is excited by the industry, says Davies, but hospitality experience isn’t a pre-requisite . What is required is enthusiasm for working with interesting people, providing great customer service and the ability to follow a proven system.
“They need to motivated, passionate and ready for a fresh and exciting change,” he says. F