Coffee Republic signs first international master franchise
Coffee Republic has signed its first international master franchise in Bulgaria, as the company's new management team realign the business.
During the six month period to 24 September, Coffee Republic signed three regional development franchises, a Family Entertainment Centre deal and four individual coffee-bar franchises.
However, the shift in focus to franchising hammered turnover, which dropped 30.2% to £5.4m (2005: £7.7m) in the period. Loss before tax increased 78% to £1.2m (2005: £661m).
Steven Bartlett, chief executive of the company - who forced out co-founder and previous chairman Bobby Hashemi in a board room coup in October - said: "I am pleased with what we have been able to achieve in only a short time.
"I am particularly pleased to be announcing that we have signed the Bulgarian master franchise, our first international deal."
Bartlett added the Bulgarian deal was a clear sign of the company's plans to expand aggressively domestically and overseas using the franchise route in the future.
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By Chris Druce
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