Mobile coffee franchise Cafe2U recently celebrated its 60th custom-built Mercedes Vito coffee-van hitting the roads in the UK. The 60th van belongs to brand new franchise partner Alan Fulton, owner of Cafe2U Aberdeen South.

Alan, who has a background working in the hotel and catering industry, is now a fully trained barista and will be using his new van to serve high-quality espresso-based coffee, tea, hot chocolate and sweet treats to customers at non-traditional locations in the South of Aberdeen.

The van is fully compliant with all Food Safety and Local Government Environmental Health Regulations and serves its award-winning hot drinks using a commercial 2 group espresso machine and an on-demand grinder.

The Cafe2U network holds Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety system certification, an internationally recognised method of identifying and managing risks.

Managing director of Cafe2U UK Ltd, Tom Acland said, “We are of course delighted to welcome Alan on board as a new Cafe2U franchise partner and, as a brand, to have hit the great milestone of 60 vans on the road.”

He continued, “We are currently seeing continued and sustained growth as more and more people recognise the benefits of running their own Cafe2U business. From printers and chefs to sales managers and charity workers, we are seeing an increase in people choosing the flexibility and reward that comes from running their own mobile coffee business.

“As a brand we are recruiting two new franchise partners a month, all of them benefitting from a ‘power assisted’ launch using our ‘Acceleration Package’. Following training at our head office, we assign each new franchise partner a personal franchise development manager (FDM). This FDM will physically go out with the new business owner, on their rounds, for two weeks, identifying and canvassing to workplaces and their staff, to help them build up their new business. Furthermore, during those first two weeks, when it is so important to families to know how much money they’ll be depositing into the bank, we guarantee their sales figures and quite simply, if they don’t hit a daily target of £275 of sales, we’ll write them a cheque for the difference.”

Alan Fulton, owner of the 60th van said, “It is the best decision I have ever made.”

He continued, “The training and support I have received from Cafe2U has been first class. From day one I’ve been impressed not only with the training but also with the feeling of being part of the Cafe2U team, with everyone pushing for me to succeed. Having the FDM out with me in those first two weeks was invaluable; Karen gave me great confidence, passed on top tips if I looked as though I needed some help and, possibly most importantly, told me when I’d done a really good job. Coming from the hotel and catering industry, it was crucial to me that every single one of my customers experienced the very best customer service and the very best cup of coffee I could make and, with Cafe2U’s help, I think I can safely say I’m now achieving that on a daily basis.”