Uk – Coffee Republic H1 like-for-like sales for own outlets down 5.6 pct

LONDON – Coffee Republic PLC said first half like-for-like sales for Coffee Republic-operated outlets fell by 5.6 pct, which was in line with expectations.

The independent coffee and deli bar operator’s first-half like-for-like franchise sales were up by 12.6 pct.

The company said since early 2007 it has been receiving about 75 enquiries a week about franchises, adding this rate of interest has continued.

It said it had signed five regional development franchisees in the first six months of the year, adding to Coffee Republic’s ability to roll out the brand across the UK.

‘By the end of October a further seven operated outlets will have been transferred to franchisee control, leaving nine under company operation,’ it said. Coffee Republic has a further 29 franchises in process, which it expects to open by year’s end. There had also been ‘encouraging’ interest from overseas, and agreements had been signed for Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Ireland, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Muscat, with outlets already operating in the first two.