Cairns-based franchise, Paleo Cafe has cemented a niche in the cafe market – the brand specialises in breakfast and lunch items, as well as beverages that are free from dairy, grains and sugar.
People don’t necessarily need to comply with the lifestyle to visit a venue, though, as the menu offers a Paleo-friendly take on mainstream dishes such as eggs benedict and a lamb burger.
Paleo Cafe is evidence that a niche offering can work – co-founder Jai Hobbes says the brand has grown by 1000 percent in seven months.
Its network spans 11 stores across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia, and the business’s current annual turnover is more than $10 million.
Hobbes advises potential franchisees address the following before they invest in a niche franchise.
Know your market and the brand
Are you truly passionate about the brand and the industry and willing to do what it takes to succeed?
Anything worth doing requires work and effort, ensuring you truly love what you do will make this process easier and a lot more fun along the way.
Understand your customer
Get clear about who your ideal customer is, what they want, how often they will buy from you and how you can reach them.
Knowing your target market and how to reach them will ensure you are not wasting valuable time and marketing dollars trying to drive people into your store.
Trust your gut instinct
If it feels right then do it. Don’t wait for the timing, economy or local area to be right. It never will be.