Starbucks Closures. 300 Stores, 6700 Jobs - 2/3rds in the US. Business Down 69%

Davesnave

I'm very late to this thread and haven't read it all but, doing a Pastures New, I'd say Mr Subway's explanations for taking on a franchise boil down to 'It's less hassle and I don't need to sweat or think too much.'

That's a recipe for Britain's biggest problem since WW2: mediocrity.

Cleaver

Davesnave wrote: »

I'm very late to this thread and haven't read it all but, doing a Pastures New, I'd say Mr Subway's explanations for taking on a franchise boil down to 'It's less hassle and I don't need to sweat or think too much.'

That's a recipe for Britain's biggest problem since WW2: mediocrity.

I think you've just summed up what I've been ranting about for around 8 posts in one, nice succinct post.

I should learn that skill.

longhotbath

Hi Guys,
I love independant coffee shops, but havnt found too many around where I live - a little north of fc123, but turn west before you hit the new town!!
Even the ones that look independant here are chainy.
I do occassionally go into Starbucks - I enjoyed the free drink promotion with the guardian. I dont read the guardian, and dont usually drink calorie laden lattes, but with one group of friends, its the only place we can meet up (children in supportive seating systems) without turning into contortionists. The place is clean and the staff very friendly.
Some of the local independants have been incredibly rude.
On the other end of the scale - our local hospital league of friends does a fantastic cup of tea for 40p. It goes to a great cause, and its close to the park, and Im not old!!

I read not on the label a few years ago - and didnt go into Mr T's for years. Im happy with having sugar, but wont buy anything with glucose-fructose syrup in it

Subman_2

I think it's best to agree to disagree, neither side is going to back down. I only posted here to put the record straight on a few untruths that were being posted.

What I'm posting is not corporate spin, it is my own personal feelings and findings as an individual. You can only take my word for it, but I assure you it is as heartfelt as you are when protecting your businesses.

fc123

Cleaver wrote: »

I think you've just summed up what I've been ranting about for around 8 posts in one, nice succinct post.

I should learn that skill.

Me too....precis what's in the head. Must start practising.

Cleaver

Subman wrote: »

I think it's best to agree to disagree, neither side is going to back down. I only posted here to put the record straight on a few untruths that were being posted.

What I'm posting is not corporate spin, it is my own personal feelings and findings as an individual. You can only take my word for it, but I assure you it is as heartfelt as you are when protecting your businesses.

I've found your posts really interesting and glad you've come on. And I'm more than happy to debate on the reasons why you think you work for a good business, you speak passionately about it.

I just refuse to believe that you think you couldn't bring a better product to the market than Subway does. Because it's obvious you could.

fc123

Subman wrote: »

I think it's best to agree to disagree, neither side is going to back down. I only posted here to put the record straight on a few untruths that were being posted.

What I'm posting is not corporate spin, it is my own personal feelings and findings as an individual. You can only take my word for it, but I assure you it is as heartfelt as you are when protecting your businesses.

Can I be cheeky and ask what profit margin you are on/they give you?

AIUI, You take on lease, pay for fit out (provided by Subway) and buy ALL stock direct from them too. You also have to cover all the other running costs (staff, business rates etc). Once you've opened, the turnover settles down to a figure. Do you end up with 15% gross? Only curious really...not looking for a dig.

Snooze

As we're now talking about food rather than coffee...

Can I just ask if anyone has ever tried Carvery Fayre? I stumbled across them by accident when I used to be drive for a living years ago - they've got a place just on the edge of bus/coach park in Weston-super-Mare and I understand they're also in Bristol too.

Brilliant concept - a take-away carvery! This review I found on ciao (not written by me, despite the name) pretty much sums up my experience with them too and I (very) highly recommend them if you're ever in W-s-M or Bristol:

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Carvery_Fayre_Restaurant__Review_5309779

Proper freshly cooked food with servings as big as your house and all for around a fiver. You just can't go wrong and the 3 times I've been to the W-s-M one they were queueing out of the door. I wish they'd expand their business and open an outlet near me as I'd never be away from the place. With the right adveritising a company like this would really take off big style. I mean, what other choice do you have for good hot healthy take-away food? Answer : nothing.

Rob

fc123

Snooze wrote: »

As we're now talking about food rather than coffee...

Can I just ask if anyone has ever tried Carvery Fayre? I stumbled across them by accident when I used to be drive for a living years ago - they've got a place just on the edge of bus/coach park in Weston-super-Mare and I understand they're also in Bristol too.

Brilliant concept - a take-away carvery! This review I found on ciao (not written by me, despite the name) pretty much sums up my experience with them too and I (very) highly recommend them if you're ever in W-s-M or Bristol:

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Carvery_Fayre_Restaurant__Review_5309779

Proper freshly cooked food with servings as big as your house and all for around a fiver. You just can't go wrong and the 3 times I've been to the W-s-M one they were queueing out of the door. I wish they'd expand their business and open an outlet near me as I'd never be away from the place. With the right adveritising a company like this would really take off big style. I mean, what other choice do you have for good hot healthy take-away food? Answer : nothing.

Rob

I would promo this guy. Bills. http://www.billsproducestore.co.uk/
Amazing place and food. OH is a bit, how can I put it, steak and chips old school.
Obviously, living with me for 23 years, he has learnt to love alfafa sprouts and all things wholesome ...unless he cooks the dinner himself.

But Bills, covers most tastes. Their Full English breakfast is to die for.

Snooze

fc123 wrote: »

I would promo this guy. Bills. http://www.billsproducestore.co.uk/
Amazing place and food. OH is a bit, how can I put it, steak and chips old school.
Obviously, living with me for 23 years, he has learnt to love alfafa sprouts and all things wholesome ...unless he cooks the dinner himself.

But Bills, covers most tastes. Their Full English breakfast is to die for.

I should hope it comes gold plated at the price he's charging for it :

bill's breakfast - sausage, egg, tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon & toast £7.80

:eek:

On closer inspection of the website, what you have described is just yer average town centre cafe : standard town centre cafe opening hours 10am-4pm and nothing out of the ordinary from the other billion cafes out there but with ridiculous prices.

Carvery Fayre is a whole different concept. For a start they're opening til around 8-9pm if I recall correctly which caters for a hell of a lot of the 'I can't be bothered cooking tonight but I want something hot, fresh and non-greasy' punters, of which there are plenty.

Rob