CULTURE OF SUCCESS

15 years ago, Jeremy and Simone Palmer were both in the corporate world and getting tired of the 9-to-5 grind. “We both travelled for work, and we weren’t enjoying what we were doing. We felt it was time for a change,” says Simone. “Our children were small, and we hoped by becoming masters of our own destiny in our own business, we’d find a bit of flexibility for family life as well as learning something new.”

Simone and Jeremy did a lot of research; “Google, reading, word of mouth – Coffee Culture kept coming up as a strongly trusted brand. We are lucky to have multiple friends in Christchurch who have been in business themselves for a long time,” Simone continues. “They were great sounding boards for us. One close friend had just purchased his first Coffee Culture franchise and loved the brand so much he wanted to buy a second store. He couldn’t manage it alone, so we went into partnership with our first Coffee Culture store in the old Hornby clock tower building and the experience was invaluable.”

Warm fuzzies

Jeremy and Simone have been involved with Coffee Culture ever since and now own and operate two cafés in Beckenham and Merivale with their new business partners Luke Jones (Beckenham) and Shawn Zapanta (Merivale). “Jeremy had also bought into a pizza store,” reveals Simone, “but it made no sense for him to stay there, as the Coffee Culture franchise was infinitely superior. So, we now have the two cafés, and our motto is, ‘To build a community within a community.’ Our aim is always to be there for our guests and be part of the local community. We strive to offer the best in everything – food, coffee, atmosphere and ambiance. And when we succeed in that, it gives us warm fuzzies!” 

In recognition of their success, Simone, Jeremy and Shawn’s Merivale café won Store of the Year and they themselves were awarded the Leader of the Year title in Coffee Culture’s recent 2025 Store Awards held at the Court Theatre in the heart of Christchurch City.

Beginnings and winnings

Coffee Culture began 30 years ago when Chris Houston opened the first store offering a simple menu of coffee, tea, desserts and big bagels. “Not a great deal has changed since,” says Coffee Culture’s COO, Sacha Coburn. “The clue is in our name, but we’ve refined operations as well as evolving and growing ever since. No two stores are alike as the franchise has specifically concentrated upon creating beautiful cafés designed to suit each local community and operator. We now number 20 stores, and our excellence and durability are well demonstrated by winning the Retail and Hospitality Franchise of the Year at the 2024 Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards.”

Simone was impressed from day one of joining Coffee Culture. “The minute we signed on the dotted line my training started in a local store. It covered everything, and 15 years later I can still say we have the best of both worlds: we have the independence of owning our own business, with the big bonuses of support, brand recognition and the proven systems of an established company.”

“We’ve learned so much in our 15-year journey,” says Simone. “Our input into the franchise is valued and we really feel part of a team within the wider group of franchisees. We love the opportunities we get to contribute to promotions and menu ideas. 

“Over the years our goals and expectations have moved as we’ve had to deal with unexpected experiences such as earthquakes and Covid. When we started our children were tiny, and they now work part-time with us. We’ve had to be resilient, but whatever happens in life it’s always amazing the feeling you get from putting a smile on someone’s face.”

Looking to the future

Simone and Jeremy are right on board with the franchise’s efforts to get younger people into business, as Simone outlines. “It’s not easy for keen, young would-be franchisees to get on the ladder, and Coffee Culture has come up with some innovative options. If you are the right fit, they can help find financing solutions and support. 

“It has become one of our own personal goals to help new owners into a store, and over the last two years we’ve sold a small share in each of our stores to long-term team members who started with us when they were very young, part-time. It’s been very rewarding watching the younger generation getting on the fast track to owning their own business.”

There are opportunities available nationwide to open your own Coffee Culture store, including in Wānaka , Dunedin and Hamilton. “Depending on location you can expect to complete fit out, tenancy agreements and franchise fee from an initial investment of between $350k to $450k,” says Sacha. 

And Simone concludes, “If you are passionate about what you do, have great attention to detail and love being around people, Coffee Culture could bring you the same kind of work/life balance we enjoy.”  

See this advertorial on page 43 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 34 Issue 03

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