A coffee shop enterprise founded by two Northampton entrepreneurs is hoping to open 40 new stores within four years after signing a new franchise deal.
Managing director Matt Fountain and operations manager Richard Wagg opened the first Bewiched Coffee shop in Wellingborough using redundancy money.
The men behind Bewiched Coffee, who both attended Moulton School, have already established 13 shops throughout Northamptonshire. The shops are based in Northampton, Wellingborough, Kettering, and Rushden Lakes, and include a drive-thru in Moulton Park.
The business recently announced the franchise deal with the Heart Of England Co-operative Society on Tuesday, March 22.
Matt said: “We are confident they can help deliver our vision and values to a growing audience. I personally really admire Steve Browne and his food division teams’ desire to innovate, adapt & seek new strategic partnerships.”
Steve Browne is the General Manager (Executive) of the Food Division at the Heart Of England Co-operative Society.
According to Matt, the coffee chain has great plans for its future. He explained: “Our ambitions are aligned to build a multi-faceted regional coffee chain, with a mix of traditional in-line, integration into larger convenience settings & standalone drive thru’s stores.
“We anticipate our estate doubling over the next three years and to be operating thirty to forty stores by the end of 2026.”
Matt said that the company was started to challenge the status quo, actively seek out the competition, and disrupt the incumbent market leaders.
He added: “Our biggest ambition is to set new standards in scale execution in the coffee sector, we want consistently engaged teams, delivering outstanding service and product in amazing environments.
“We know we are not there yet but watch this space.”