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Care for a Spot of Tea?
July 19, 2007
From the July/August issue of CANADIAN BUSINESS Franchise Magazine
Since 2001, Cargo & James Tea has been challenging the idea that tea is ‘old’ – today, they’re pouring their expertise into a new franchise venture. Joining forces with Edmonton-based WebbCo International Franchising, Inc., Cargo & James is looking to franchise new locations throughout Canada and beyond.
As master franchisor for Cargo & James, WebbCo aims to open 10 stores by the end of this year for a total of 25 by 2009. Working as close business partners, the two companies have created an opportunity for entrepreneurs to own a successful tea cafe franchise. The company’s business model aims to do for tea what major franchisors such as Second Cup have done for coffee – providing a friendly, trendy atmosphere where customers can meet, relax and ultimately, spend more money.
Tim Grover, Cargo & James’ founder and president, says, “developing Cargo & James over the last six years has involved a fair amount of trial and error: Our early corporate stores gave me a clear understanding of what makes the business work and how to capture consumers in the hot-beverage market. It takes someone with a passion for business – and for tea – to be successful. We’ll need those same attributes in any franchisee we find.”
Franchisees bring a whole new level of energy to Grover’s business. “This is a young company and the exchange of ideas and experience that comes from adding people to the system is what will really allow us to stand apart.”
Cargo & James already has one franchisee on-board, though she’s based in California. Mei Chan was running a McBeans Coffee business in Victoria when she approached Tim Grover about converting it to Cargo & James. Mei opened her new franchise in November 2006.
With the franchisee off-site, Mayumi Sugano’s role as store manager becomes even more important. The 27-year-old moved to Canada from Tokyo, Japan, in 2005. “Working with Cargo & James has been really great,” she says. “They’re always providing assistance and support. People like our store and want to know more about tea and what we do.”