Media Release

TAKING THE COUNTRY BY STORM

Franchising of Queensland’s iconic Shingle Inn can only be considered a success with the cafe chain on the brink of doubling its store numbers in the past 12 months, according to co-Director Andrew Bellchambers.

“We are very excited that two further stores will open before Christmas, doubling our store numbers in the past 12 months,” says Mr Bellchambers.

The soon to open cafes at The Pines at Elanora and Maroochydore’s Sunshine Plaza will see the company finish the year with 22 cafes, including its first NSW franchise which opened in August at Westfield Hornsby.

Mr Bellchambers says he expects the company will open at least another 11 stores next year, possibly as many as 16, with the first two adding to the NSW network.

“We’ve completed deals to open at Westfield Chatswood and Stockland Merrylands in the New Year and anticipate opening another three stores in NSW in 2012,” says Mr Bellchambers.

The company has also commenced negotiations on sites in ACT, Victoria and South Australia with these territories providing the locations that will help meet the ambitious and strategically focused rollout targets committed to by Shingle Inn’s Board of Directors.

“When we started franchising we were operating eight company-owned stores, so we had a significant base from which to work from and an intimate understanding of the business and how it operates,” says Mr Bellchambers.  “It’s provided an outstanding foundation for the growth of the network in terms of the support we’re able to provide to our franchise family and our knowledge of what sells in a cafe environment.”

While continuing to operate five company stores, Mr Bellchambers and his brother Peter are focussed on a year ahead where Shingle Inn takes the country by storm.

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