Easycoffee is keen to push its coffee offer to forecourt retailers following a successful pilot stage and eight store openings across the UK.

The company’s CEO and co-founder Nathan Lowry said there had been considerable interest from potential franchisees, with the brand planning to open another 200 coffee shops in the next three years and having secured development partnerships with seven franchisees that have committed to delivering 50% of these.

“Part of the easyGroup family of brands, easyCoffee offers fantastic value beans-to-cup fairtrade coffee of its own speciality blend at its coffee stores and vending machines nationally,” he said.

“As well as tie-ups with sister brands easyHotel and easyGym, the brand has also partnered with Thorntons to provide a luxury hot chocolate drink at its coffee stores. Its vending machines are located in well-known retail outlets across the UK of different sizes and in a variety of sectors, from DIY stores to convenience shops and petrol station forecourts.”

Lowryl said the coffee brand would compete well on the forecourt with its quality and £1.60 price point.

“easyCoffee vending machines offer a ready-to-go business with no upfront investment and a large support network via Selecta (the largest vending group in Europe), providing customers with the same quality coffee at a value price as that sold in the easyCoffee coffee shops. Our vending business of soon-to-be 250-plus machines is already proving itself a success, with above average sales take-up nationally, and the brand expects to roll out a further 500-700 vending units this year.”

He said the machines already appear in a range of formats and settings - including Spar convenience stores and a major DIY chain, as well as in sister easyGroup brands easyHotel and easyGym. Vendors are able to take advantage of the latest digital technology to connect to their customers using a unique loyalty app, bespoke promotions and interactive messaging communications designed by easyCoffee.