A Coffee Bean Dream at Beans Rebublique, Melbourne (Interview With Kasey Flint Manager Of Beans Republique Parkdale)
Eden Exchange recently sat down with Kasey Flint, Manager of Beans Republique Parkdale. Kasey discussed with us her growth journey at Beans Republique and the franchise’s strategic position in Melbourne’s vibrant café franchise sector. Kasey also discussed Beans Republique’s philosophy for attracting customers and supplying great service, one coffee and one home baked cake at a time. Beans Republique has been an established café franchise since 2009, and are now looking for invested coffee lovers to help expand the business across Victoria as cafe owners.
Eden Exchange
Hello Kasey, thank you for this opportunity. First off, tell us a little bit about your background and what is your role at Beans Republique?
Kasey Slint
I have been working in hospitality since I was 17. I am not telling you my age now but it has been a while since I was 17! I have been employed with Beans Republique since 2010 and I am currently the store manager for our Parkdale branch.
Eden Exchange
What do you think is the Beans Republique point of difference. What do you think encourages customers to become repeat customers?
Kasey Slint
Beans Republique point of difference is the ‘good times experience’ we deliver to our customers every visit. The ‘good times experience’ also plays the key role in bringing back customers and turn passer-by into regulars. This unique culture is ingrained in all of the crew members. It reflects clearly in our happy vibe and smooth operation.
Eden Exchange
What type of support does Beans Republique offer a franchisee?
Kasey Slint
From the perspective of a staff member who oversees the business operation on daily basis, I strongly believe in the Beans Republique operational system that is implemented in our stores. An easy to follow and proven system with best support offered to all our new franchisees. Additionally, we provide continuous support via helplines, emails and close relationship with a franchise development manager. Of course there is also quite extensive training and marketing support.
Eden Exchange
Coffee is obviously important in this business. Can you tell us about the coffee that is served at Beans Republique? The bean? The baristas? The finish? What is unique about it?
Kasey Slint
Coffee is the blood line of our business. Our baristas ensure every cup is carefully crafted and served with a lot of care. The Beans Republique House blend is our signature blend that has proven successful over the past 8 years. The beans are freshly roasted, and brought in weekly from from coffee growing countries such as Tanzania, Indian tiger mountain and Costa Rica. The cup profile is all rounded, aromatic and leaves a nice bitter sweet after taste of chocolate and burnt caramel. Our beans are certified organic and responsibly sourced.
Eden Exchange
Your website describes your menu as “home style” cooking and baking, can you elaborate a bit more about? Is there a set menu or does each Beans Republique franchise design its own menu to cater? How would you classify your cafe menu beyond “home style”?
Kasey Slint
Our customers enjoy what they call “real food” at Beans Republique. Food that brings back fond memories of family and friends like a hearty cottage pie with perfect pastry and a creamy mash topping that is good enough to have with steak. We also serve food that is beyond homestyle and is the crowd’s favourites such as avo smash, soft shell crab burger and club sandwich. All Beans Republique stores will serve the same menu and offer the same range of baked goods/ cakes to ensure the highest level of consistency.
Eden Exchange
Atmosphere and mood play an important part in the success of a hospitality food and drink franchise. Can you describe the atmosphere or vibe of a Beans Republique?
Kasey Slint
As mentioned previously, our ‘good times culture’ is the key factor in the success of our business. Our well-kept secrets are our happy team that always maintain a positive energy flow in the café. Our customers always say that they can feel that great vibe from the café’s atmosphere. They always feel welcomed and relaxed when spending time at Beans.
Edenexchange
Tell us a bit about the geography that is best suited to a Bean’s Republique Cafe?
Kasey Slint
Beans Republique concept will thrive in a variety of locations. Ideally, it is located in a mixed zone of commercial and residential, accessible to public transport and surrounded by plentiful of car park.
Beans Republique
There is a coffee revolution happening at the moment after recent bad publicity about the lack of recycling options for take away coffee cups (ABC, ‘War on waste’). Does Beans Republique support the effort to minimise the coffee cup dilemma? Any services or benefits for bringing your own cup?
Kasey Slint
We are aware of the major impact of waste on our environment. We are doing our bit to help. 2018 is the launching year of our very own Beans Republique Keep Cup. We are working with Keep Cup to design our recyclable cups. These cups are offered to our take-away customers with a courtesy discount of 5% off their coffee every time they bring back the cup. The first coffee purchased with our cup is also on the house.
Beans Republique
Does Beans Republique contribute to any community programs or run any event programs for customers to get involved or just be a part of the franchise?
Kasey Slint
Beans Republique is very active with social responsibilities. We are constantly sponsoring local school, local sporting clubs and charity fundraising events. We also support young people in our community by running work experience program and employing local students.
Eden Exchange
What type of person do you think would be interested or best suited to buying and running a Beans Republique franchise?
Kasey Slint
A people person will be best fit for this role. The franchisee will be the leader of a happy team and able to deliver top notch customer experience. He/she will lead by example, actively involved in the business activities and genuinely interested in building a strong ‘good times’ culture.
Eden Exchange
Lastly, what can you tell us about what is involved with running a Beans Republique franchise? What is the day to day like and have you found it rewarding?
Kasey Slint
Whilst the hospitality industry is engaging and there is a lot to learn when running a café business. These challenges are actually what excite me to get up every morning.
Even though routines are in places and procedures are to be followed, I find that everyday is a different day. I learn new things and meet new people. However, working with a happy, productive team and serving customers who love and appreciate us are the best things about being part of Beans Republique. Working at Beans is definitely a rewarding experience.
Eden Exchange
Thanks again Kasey.
Useful Links
Beans Republique
Article/Profile
Beans Republique opportunities
Regional Vic / Melbourne North /Melbourne West / Melbourne East
Melbourne South / Melbourne Metro / Melbourne CBD / Melbourne North East
About Beans Republique
A cafe with a difference
At Beans Republique, we grow our business one cake, one coffee and one customer at a time so we put a lot of attention and care in our products and service. Once you taste our coffee, indulge in our food and desserts, you will understand that Beans Republique is all about a passion for eating, drinking and good times. We are not interested in being a bland franchise cafe, we want to recruit Cafe Owners who share our passion and want to grow a business.
Skip all headaches of setting up a brand new premise from designing, fitting, planning and permits to getting ready for the grand-opening day. Start trading as a trained operator with an experienced and well-trained team. We do all the legwork so that you could focus on what matters to you: the business.
Enquire today, the coffee is on us.
