mobile coffee van using pod system

crofty10 · October 2012

hi all i am looking at buying into a franchise which use a pod system in their vans i cant say their name on here but as far as i am aware they appear to be the only ones using this system which they claim to have developed.
i am looking for opinions or reviews from anyone who has bought from one of these vans in australia as where i am looking i will be the only one set up in this state.
the concept does seem to make a lot of sense to me as it would be alot quicker to make coffees and the taste would be much more consistant.

any feed back would be much welcomed

Koffee_Kosmo · October 2012

on 1350289349:

hi all i am looking at buying into a franchise which use a pod system in their vans i cant say their name on here but as far as i am aware they appear to be the only ones using this system which they claim to have developed. i am looking for opinions or reviews from anyone who has bought from one of these vans in australia as where i am looking i will be the only one set up in this state. the concept does seem to make a lot of sense to me as it would be alot quicker to make coffees and the taste would be much more consistant. any feed back would be much welcomed

I can give you this first up advise Go on a run with a current operator for a day Sample the coffee and make a judgement call on coffee taste and the business concept itself KK

mycuppa · October 2012

I have a fair bit of experience in most pod or capsule systems with particular expertise in the only open-standard and International system called ESE. At this time, any non-ESE type POD solution is essentially a proprietary system. My advice is to steer clear of such systems as the technology is subject to change, e.g. once Nespresso clones flood the market, Nestle will simply change the design of their new systems and apply for extra patents to protect their highly profitable income stream from the consumables. You must clearly define the system they are using in order to receive feedback or comments. Please also note, what someone calls a POD, others call a capsule - so it's important to get the terminology correct. If they are using ESE, then they have not created anything new - in such case they are just leveraging existing systems such as commercial POD machines. You might also be aware there are now a collection of portafilters (group handles) that are adjustable across 7, 10 and 14g ESE pods - making use of traditional espresso machines and PODS now very easy and simple.

derrilex · October 2012

Really Jeff ? I didn't know that. Got a link ? ( pods +espresso machines)

GaryatGala · October 2012

Hello Crofty and welcome to the forum

. I also intend to join the world of mobile coffee van operators in the future. Before you decide, and KK has mentioned it already, go for a day run with both the pod using franchise, as well as a conventional franchise company. That way you can weigh up the pros and cons of both systems. Personally i would recommend you do a proffessional barista course. You will become more consistent in quality coffee making and it will become second nature as you get more time and experience behind an espresso machine. Once you achieve that, you may not want to go to the pod system. A pod system to me engenders blandness. Refillable pods just take too much time, and throwaway pods is not good for the environment. At least the empty milk bottles can be squashed and put into the recycling bin. Running a successful mobile coffee business comes from a formula of a superior coffee and products that is a cut above the rest, customer relationships and efficient running/management of other aspects of business like vehicle maintenance, stock control, accounts, running and fixed costs etc.

UNM · October 2012

on 1350289349:

hi all i am looking at buying into a franchise which use a pod system in their vans i cant say their name on here but as far as i am aware they appear to be the only ones using this system which they claim to have developed. i am looking for opinions or reviews from anyone who has bought from one of these vans in australia as where i am looking i will be the only one set up in this state. the concept does seem to make a lot of sense to me as it would be alot quicker to make coffees and the taste would be much more consistant. any feed back would be much welcomed

All franchises claim their system is unique. A franchise system covers everything that franchisees do, including weekly reporting spreadsheets, colour of uniforms, products used, signage, maintenance procedures,... As others have said - spend time with a current franchisee. Assume that everyone is putting the best possible spin on it and evaluate whether it will work FOR YOU. Some franchises (not specifically coffee related) are truly crap, others are good. The quality of the coffee honestly does not need to be the finest in Australia, but if the franchise system is not well managed and consistent, it will hurt you long term. Product quality is actually relatively low down the list, as long as it exceeds a minimum acceptable standard. Take McDonalds as an example - is the 'food' served up there in quality with a fine dining establishment? Should it be? Some people will be happy in a McDonalds style franchise, others would be miserable due to the constraints it places on them.

crofty10 · October 2012

on 1350292878:

I can give you this first up advise Go on a run with a current operator for a day Sample the coffee and make a judgement call on coffee taste and the business concept itself KK

thanks for the feedback kk i have tried the coffee and to me tastes quite nice only trouble with going for a run in the van is there is none operating in this state the van i am looking at is second hand here which was the only one operating here but at the moment it is not operating due to owner having been offered other business ventures. the franchise itself started with in office coffee machines which has branched out to the mobile market which they say is going quite well interstate. also they have been listed in the top 10 franchises for their in office machine franchise which use both automatic and a pod system which would be much the same system in the van only it can pod 2 coffees at a time.

crofty10 · October 2012

on 1350311932:

Hello Crofty and welcome to the forum . I also intend to join the world of mobile coffee van operators in the future. Before you decide, and KK has mentioned it already, go for a day run with both the pod using franchise, as well as a conventional franchise company. That way you can weigh up the pros and cons of both systems. Personally i would recommend you do a proffessional barista course. You will become more consistent in quality coffee making and it will become second nature as you get more time and experience behind an espresso machine. Once you achieve that, you may not want to go to the pod system. A pod system to me engenders blandness. Refillable pods just take too much time, and throwaway pods is not good for the environment. At least the empty milk bottles can be squashed and put into the recycling bin. Running a successful mobile coffee business comes from a formula of a superior coffee and products that is a cut above the rest, customer relationships and efficient running/management of other aspects of business like vehicle maintenance, stock control, accounts, running and fixed costs etc.

thanks for the feedback gary i have spent time with the frachisor where i have tasted coffee and seen the machine which tastes quite nice and consistent i also have had a look at the van which is for sale and tried the coffee when testing the van and it also was a similar consistant taste the pods are supplied in a sealed package which you buy from the franchisor so is easy to make and no refilling also the milk is self frothing so there is less wastage and easier to keep your work station clean for presentation. which would give you more time to serve your customers less waiting time for them and also a coffee that would be consistant taste. i think the product is good the franchise fees are pretty low there are no restrictions on how many vans can be used if the business was to take off so there is the ability to put another van into run and employ someone as well. there is another franchise for sale with a traditional barister style machine in the area i am thinking of so i will take that advice and enqire there also just to get a feel for it and see if i am better going this way. as i have signed a confidentiality agreement i am not allowed to mention too much as far as business names go but am just hoping that other people interstate have tried this type of coffee from a mobile van and have any idea on their popularity in my previous job we have had pod machines in the office and they are a huge hit but we didnt have to pay for them. me myself i would buy a coffee from one of these businesses but not sure on other opinions of the coffee buying public. thanks crofty

crofty10 · October 2012

on 1350339842:

All franchises claim their system is unique. A franchise system covers everything that franchisees do, including weekly reporting spreadsheets, colour of uniforms, products used, signage, maintenance procedures,... As others have said - spend time with a current franchisee. Assume that everyone is putting the best possible spin on it and evaluate whether it will work FOR YOU. Some franchises (not specifically coffee related) are truly crap, others are good. The quality of the coffee honestly does not need to be the finest in Australia, but if the franchise system is not well managed and consistent, it will hurt you long term. Product quality is actually relatively low down the list, as long as it exceeds a minimum acceptable standard. Take McDonalds as an example - is the 'food' served up there in quality with a fine dining establishment? Should it be? Some people will be happy in a McDonalds style franchise, others would be miserable due to the constraints it places on them.

thanks for the feedback i agree with you i dont think we need to be producing award winning coffee with every coffee if you want to make a living from this you dont have the time either does the customer who is on his smoko break and just wants a reasonable tasting coffee that is is in similar consistancy each time. this is what i like about the pod system it can do this quickly and is less labour intesive which in turn will provide customers with a better sevice and gives you more time to interact with them creating a good relationship. the concept of it all sounds good but because i am looking at a van which at the moment is not working due to owner having other commitments and is the only one in the state it makes it a bit difficult to get feedback on the product i am relying on the franchisors work for it.

crofty10 · October 2012

on 1350295692:

I have a fair bit of experience in most pod or capsule systems with particular expertise in the only open-standard and International system called ESE. At this time, any non-ESE type POD solution is essentially a proprietary system. My advice is to steer clear of such systems as the technology is subject to change, e.g. once Nespresso clones flood the market, Nestle will simply change the design of their new systems and apply for extra patents to protect their highly profitable income stream from the consumables. You must clearly define the system they are using in order to receive feedback or comments. Please also note, what someone calls a POD, others call a capsule - so it's important to get the terminology correct. If they are using ESE, then they have not created anything new - in such case they are just leveraging existing systems such as commercial POD machines. You might also be aware there are now a collection of portafilters (group handles) that are adjustable across 7, 10 and 14g ESE pods - making use of traditional espresso machines and PODS now very easy and simple.

hi thanks for the feedback as i have signed a confidentiality agreement i cant disclose the name of this franchise but what i am more looking for is wether people are prepared to buy this type of coffee from a mobile van set up over a traditional style machine.

Ol Grumpy · October 2012

Hi Crofty, I myself am a Franchisor, not coffee related.. The success or failure of your venture is So much more dependent on your Marketing than any other single factor. In a Franchise this can be a great strength or weakness- depending on the structure. Regardless, why the bloody hell would you pay a Franchise fee +++ + for what you have described as a 1 man band... From a strictly marketing perspective. LMPITW... The Marketing is 100 (or 1000) times more important than the product. I won't debate this. If you don't get this- you need to- go learn it like I had to. So, if you have to build this business on sweat equity- your work, etc Do you really believe the Franchisor will spend more than you pay them on Marketing? Different scanario with 100 other vendors- you are 1 in the Whole state. I'm out of time and space and I could write a book to answer you. Knowing what I know I do not believe you could ever convince me this- as you've described it- is a good idea. Based on your description I believe you should use the talented resources you've seen above... to set up your own pod system- as described-. Build up your run, write a procedure manual and sell your own Franchises. That's what I did, and if I can do it with all my flaws, anyone can. OG

UNM · October 2012

I am pretty sure they use an ESE pod machine from these guys http://www.lapiccola.com/pod-machines.php

crofty10 · October 2012

on 1350365655:

I am pretty sure they use an ESE pod machine from these guys http://www.lapiccola.com/pod-machines.php

thats right i just checked the list they gave me it is the 2 group pod machine are they a good thing all the pods are sealed in air tight packaging.

Kevohere · October 2012

on 1350351089:

thanks for the feedback i agree with you i dont think we need to be producing award winning coffee with every coffee if you want to make a living from this you dont have the time either does the customer who is on his smoko break and just wants a reasonable tasting coffee that is is in similar consistancy each time. this is what i like about the pod system it can do this quickly and is less labour intesive which in turn will provide customers with a better sevice and gives you more time to interact with them creating a good relationship. the concept of it all sounds good but because i am looking at a van which at the moment is not working due to owner having other commitments and is the only one in the state it makes it a bit difficult to get feedback on the product i am relying on the franchisors work for it.

I (personally) would do a complete 180 upon seeing a pod/capsule machine. But then, I've been spoiled. :coffee2: However, in saying that, I am sure there are enough (mobile) customers happy with or ignorant of the coffee taste these systems produce, to justify your operation. They ARE selling a lot retail. ::) And again, that's where your marketing and research comes in. (You would be hard pressed selling a Toyota in an area where most everyone drives a Merc or BMW). I did a "run" some time back with a "real" espresso mobile coffee van, with the thought of buying. The owner of the run went above and beyond in her efforts to produce the best result in the cup. Adjusting the grind and tasting at almost every stop. I saw quite a few extractions "chucked". Her belief/theory? The business relies on regular trade/customers to survive. Not good to pull up to a premises that ordered 8 cups yesterday, to get only 2 or 3 today. Marketing! Supply a quality that satisfies the targeted customers. Quantity always follows quality! Good luck!

GaryatGala · October 2012

These operators that go through the trouble of adjusting grinders and tasting the coffee just to tweak the best possible outcome stand the best chances of success. They will produce the best coffee. Conditions change on a coffee mobile run. No two days are the same. Certainly you could run a pod system in a van, but you won't have the best coffee out there. The mobile coffee van business is always getting more competitive. Keep that in mind.

askthecoffeeguy · October 2012

I wouldnt bet on a lot of return business once customers figure out that you're running with pre-ground stale coffee when ground to order fresh coffee is most likely going to come up better in the cup if it is made well - and the added benefit of grind to order is that you can adjust the variables of dosage and grind finesse P

Ol Grumpy · October 2012

Keep your audience in mind... On this forum you have the top end of coffee town and those that aspire to get there... YOUR audience may not have the same values? Ask your potential audience what they would like? Do some free samples... Have some fun- do some blind tasting with YOUR audience? Ask what THEY like and then give it to them. It doesn't have to be complicated- just DO IT! Remember this absolute truth: You are NOT your client! Don't assume anything about your client. You will be wrong! For all those who spruke "product first".... Let me just mention one name= McDonalds... Anyone want to argue the point that McDonalds has the worlds best Hamburgers? Bulls$it? Nuff said. OG PS. You need to engage and entertain your audience. If you are not treating your clients like an audience- you have to. Consider what I just said and consider this phenomena: "Gangnam Style"... Get it? Engage and entertain your audience and they will throw their money at you! PPS: That's another $20k worth of marketing advice you just got for free. Don't waste it!

Ol Grumpy · October 2012

A thought: How does McDonalds get the very same teenagers you can't get to have a shower, wash dishes and clean their room.... How does McDonalds get them to build the empire McDonalds is today? Answer:Systems Are they fantastic hamburgers? No. They are consistent though- in every store, country wide. There's a valuable lesson right there! That's what pods gives you.... Oh yeah- the last thing you want is to allow your clients to 'individualise' their coffees. Less options is better- especially in a van environment. Sure, you must have your "signature" brews... But you don't want a smorgasbord offering. You will go nuts or broke or both. You 'name' your offering and make it unique, but you don't allow everyone to custom brew- you simply cannot do it and survive and thrive in your environment. Cheers, OG

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