franchise.co.nz – PUTTING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
15
Pete Hartley has a positive message for potential franchisees – as well
as building successful businesses of their own, they can make a valuable
contribution to their local communities and the wider economy.
After nearly four decades in supermarket retailing, Pete certainly knows
business. Before his 2024 appointment as General Manager of Foodco NZ,
where he looks after the franchise brands Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue,
Pete had a rich career across many supermarket brands in New Zealand and
Australia, most recently providing brand, strategic and operational leadership
to the New World supermarket brand across the North Island of New Zealand.
“In the spring of 2025,” Pete continues, “New Zealand is bouncing back from
the worst non-Covid recessionary period since 1991. Small businesses such
as Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue provide locals with employment, support
local growers through buying seasonal produce, and contribute to their
community’s social development by creating environments where people can
meet and interact. It might sound like a cliché, but we call these ‘moments
that matter’, and when times are tough each of those moments for people to
connect are important contributions to building a resilient community.”
Moments that matter
Pete elaborates upon his theme, “For home office workers, local cafés are
ideal for hosting meetings and for getting social contact in their daily lives.
For tradies they are a convenient coffee and snack drop-in hub, providing
a chance to stop, recharge the batteries and connect with others. And, also
importantly, Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue menus and cabinet food are
carefully tailored to the different tastes of their local communities, meaning
they reflect the communities they serve.
“We are definitely not a cookie cutter franchise, although there are proven
operational and business procedures to be followed. After all, Foodco’s aim
for Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue is to have a continuity of the customer
experience through service and branding, whatever you are eating and
drinking and wherever your community is based.”
Building brands that people love
A privately owned company established in 1989, Foodco is one of
Australasia’s leading food and coffee franchise business retailers with over
500 outlets in seven countries. Since its first New Zealand franchise opened
in 1994, Muffin Break has become one of the country’s most-loved bakery
cafés. Jamaica Blue is also making significant inroads as the café brand of
choice for Auckland’s major hospitals with high volume sites at Auckland City
and Greenlane Hospitals; and plans to open its newest store at North Shore
Hospital later this year.
With Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue stores located all across New Zealand
from Silverdale down as far as Invercargill, there are franchise opportunities
currently available for both brands in a number of communities including
Auckland, Rotorua, Nelson, Wellington and Hamilton. Foodco’s typical
expansion strategy is to find sites that connect their brands to communities
and then find the right franchisee to fit the business.
Any potential franchisee is encouraged by Pete not to feel limited by where
they live or by lacking hospitality or business ownership experience. “We’re
experiencing a big jump in New Zealand investor interest, but regardless, you
should contact us. There just might be plans to build a Jamaica Blue or Muffin
Break in your community.”
There to help in any way possible
Pete went on to say, “Another benefit of joining the Foodco family as a Muffin
Break or Jamaica Blue franchisee is all of the support provided by our support
office team. Every franchisee has their own operational specialist whose
job it is to support our business owners to deliver the very best customer
experiences possible. This person holds the primary relationship with the
franchisee and is there to help in any way possible.
“There’s also a dedicated marketing manager who manages the national
marketing campaigns along with site-specific ‘Local Area Marketing’
activations. We also have our own New Zealand finance manager and
accountant to support with anything finance related. Finally, the whole team
and franchise network is supported by our franchise and leasing coordinator.
Centre of Excellence
The franchise investment of $300,000 + gst for Muffin Break and $400,000
+ gst for Jamaica Blue includes comprehensive training for every new
franchisee, which is particularly beneficial for those with no hospitality or
business ownership experience.
Training is very much part of the Foodco ethos, with new franchisees
spending two weeks at the Sydney-based Foodco Centre of Excellence.
The purpose-built facility has a commercial kitchen and is staffed by highly
qualified trainers. Coffee-making to
a qualified barista level, financial
management, recruitment and hiring,
and coaching and leadership are all part
of the programme.
The initial training is backed up with
on-going online and on-premises
support from the experienced team in
New Zealand and Australia. “Call me,”
urges Pete, “this could be your moment
to create a business that makes a
difference in your community.”
Jamaica Blue and Muffin Break franchisees
help connect communities with moments
that matter
MAKING A
DIFFERENCE
Opportunity: Food & Beverage
Jamaica Blue
Muffin Break
www.jamaicablue.co.nz
www.muffinbreak.co.nz
Contact
Pete Hartley
027 772 2257
phartley@foodco.co.nz
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