Harris + Hoole, the fast-growing “artisan-style” coffee chain part-owned by Tesco, has the potential to double in size next year and has had talks regarding opening its first sites in transport hubs.
Talking to M&C Report, Nick Tolley, co-founder of the 23-strong chain, which celebrated its first anniversary earlier this month, said that the group could see opportunities to open a similar number in the coming 12 months.
The group’s current sites on average have a 35-40% food spit and the current run rate across the estate is £130k a week.
Tolley said: “It’s been an interesting year, one in which we have learned a lot about the business. We hope that will continue into 2014 and there is a good pipeline in place. We want all the sites to feel and look different, which will be a challenge as we grow, but are aim is to become everyone favourite local coffee house.”
When pushed on how many sites Harris + Hoole could eventually operate, Tolley would not be specific on numbers, but said that there was still plenty of opportunity for growth in the branded coffee market.
He said: “There is plenty of opportunity out there and Tesco will certainly help in that respect. We have to be careful that we expand at a rate that is comfortable for us and our staff, they are key to what we are trying to achieve.”
The group is trying where possible to user local suppliers and Tolley says that local focus also applies to the roll out of the chain, with local clusters of 8-10 stores the group’s ideal expansion strategy, with one unit including a production kitchen.
The company is understood to be in talks on a further eight sites as it looks to get close to the 30-site mark by the year end.
The 23-strong group is in different stages of negotiations on sites in Hatfield, Horsham, Kings Cross, New Malden, Sudbury, Surrey Quays and Weybridge.
The company, which recently opened in the Tesco Extra in Watford, has a further opening lined up along with Giraffe at the Tesco Extra Cheshunt.
