Walk down most UK high streets and you will find the same four or five coffee chains. Same cups. Same music. Same vibe. Customers are bored of it, and the numbers prove it. Independent-feel coffee shops with genuine values are outperforming the big chains in loyalty and repeat footfall. Esquires was built on exactly that proposition. Fairtrade-certified, community-focused, and independently operated. Each store looks and feels like a local favourite, with the buying power and support of a national brand sitting quietly behind it.
Why Esquires?
- Ethical to the core. Fairtrade-certified coffee and a supply chain the brand stands behind. Today’s customers notice, and they come back because of it.
- Independent feel, national muscle. Each store has its own character and neighbourhood identity. Behind the scenes, you have the systems, buying power, and support of a growing UK network.
- 25 years of proven UK franchising. Not a concept finding its feet. Esquires has traded through recessions, a pandemic, and a cost-of-living crisis. The model works.
- The UK coffee market is not slowing down. Brits drink around 98 million cups every day. The branded coffee shop market is valued at over £5 billion and continues to grow.
- Strong customer loyalty. The community-focused model creates regulars, not just footfall. Your busiest days come from people who already love what you stand for.
What You Get as a Franchise Partner
- Site selection and lease support. Esquires helps identify, negotiate, and secure the right location. You are not left trawling commercial property listings on your own.
- Full pre-opening training. Operations, marketing, finance, customer experience, and the Esquires ethos. You open your doors prepared, not hoping for the best.
- Business planning and projections. Realistic financial modelling from day one. You know what you are working towards before you commit a penny.
- Store design and fit-out guidance. Every Esquires store has a consistent quality feel. The brand team work with you on layout, equipment spec, and interior.
- Ongoing operational support. A team with deep UK coffee market experience behind you. Someone to call when things get complicated.
- A brand story worth telling. Fairtrade sourcing, sustainability, and community values are not just marketing — they are the reason customers choose Esquires over the chains next door.
Is This You?
You do not need a hospitality background. Plenty of successful Esquires partners came from entirely different careers. What you do need:
- A genuine enjoyment of leading a team and building something in your local area.
- Community-mindedness. Esquires stores become local hubs. That happens because the owner wants it to.
- Commercial common sense and a solid work ethic. This is a hands-on business, especially in the early years.
- The financial position to invest properly and to sustain yourself through the early trading period.
The Investment
Esquires sits in the premium tier of UK food and beverage franchises. The investment reflects the quality of the build, the depth of support, and the strength of the brand you are buying into.
Investment Component Amount
Minimum liquid capital required £100,000
Typical total investment £250,000 to £300,000
Variable factors Site size and condition
The variance in total investment reflects site-specific fit-out costs. Your consultant will walk you through realistic projections for specific territories before you commit to anything.
Ready to Have a Conversation?
No pressure. No hard sell. Just a straight conversation about whether this is right for you. Brendon handles all franchise enquiries for Esquires Coffee across the UK. He will talk you through available territories, suitability checks, and realistic financial projections.
Brendon McHugh
Franchise Recruitment Partner — Esquires Coffee UK
