Cafe beckons coffee enthusiast

Columbus Coffee at Westfield includes an attractive outdoor area. Photo / Supplied

Columbus Coffee outlets guarantee a high standard and are very popular with Aucklanders.

The sale of a Columbus cafe at the Westfield shopping centre in Albany on Auckland's North Shore represents an excellent opportunity for a motivated person looking to buy a brand name business that has been set up with extremely good systems, says Nick Stevens of Link Business Broking of Ellerslie.

Stevens is seeking expressions of interest to buy all the assets of the business as a going concern within leased premises for an asking price of $495,000.

"This is a great business located in one of New Zealand's busiest shopping malls," Stevens says. "A working operator should expect to maintain a healthy cash surplus with further capital gain opportunities easily achievable."

Stevens says the Columbus outlet on level two of the mall and established in 2007, has furnishings and equipment of a high standard and everything is in a well maintained condition. The cafe has recently been repainted and new outdoor furniture added. The business seats 70 customers inside and 80 outside with patrons having the use of shopping centre parking.

Stevens says there are plans for other large commercial and residential developments on surrounding green-space land. "So there is still room for this business to grow and a new owner to capitalise on further increased sales volumes."

The store has the benefit of a High Street lease and not a traditional mall lease. "There are no operating expenses or marketing contribution associated with this lease which has an expiry date of October 2017."

The business has a fulltime staff of four and five part-timers. "The staff turnover rate is very low with a high satisfaction rate within the operating team," Stevens says.

"This is the fourth fastest-growing food retail business in Westfield. It is showing further sales growth of 30 per cent this financial year while being run under management so there is a clear opportunity here for a hands-on owner-operator to further increase the profits."

Stevens says Columbus cafes have the advantage of being part of a proven New Zealand franchise operation which was launched in the highly competitive Auckland market.

The head office is in Auckland so head office staff members and founders of the company are directly available to share their experience with franchise owners. As a result of skilled training Columbus Coffee staff regularly excel in barista competitions.

Stevens says Columbus is a multi-award winning brand that looks for dedicated individuals who have a passion for coffee and hospitality service to be franchise holders.

The opening hours of the Albany business are from 7am to 6pm Monday to Wednesday; 7am to 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays; 8am to 6pm on Saturdays and 8am to 5.30pm on Sundays.

Stevens says the present owner is a seasoned and award-winning Columbus Coffee operator who also owns the "flagship cafe" in the Smales Farm business park. "He wishes to sell this business so that he can focus on upcoming Columbus Coffee development projects with the brand owner."

On the promotional side, Columbus Coffee Albany works closely with local sporting groups that are relevant to the business.

The business is fully involved in Columbus branded programmes, such as the successful VIP programme that has over 12,000 active members.

Stevens says Columbus Coffee Albany works closely with local suppliers with whom it has strong relationships. "They will help the new owners to accomplish a transition with these suppliers." They will also benefit from bulk-buying advantages.

What you'll get

On offer: Columbus cafe business
Address: Shop K25, Level 2, Westfield Centre, Albany, North Shore
Comprises: Business going concern within leased premises
Agent: Nick Stevens, Link Business Broking, Ellerslie
Sales method: Expressions of interest