Today we’d like to introduce you to Ardavan Motamedi.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m the third generation in the coffee distribution business, with almost 38 years of retail experience. After owning and operating several Wendy’s and Fazoli’s stores for over twenty six years, I decided to create a coffee retail shop concept for a roasting company from Modena, Italy. The first store was open on November 2008. I made sure that the first store would be in one of the worst locations for a coffee shop! And, the reason was to test out the concept. In other words, if the first location for a new concept is in the best site possible, chances are it’s going to do well, therefore, it would not be clear if the success is related to the concept or the location! As I anticipated, our first location store was performing very poor for the first year but then it started to take off!! Now, the same location practically runs out of seats on a daily basis! Once I was sure that our concept is solid enough to be accepted as a national concept, I started to create different models for our coffee shops from 100 s/f up to 2,000 s/f. We managed to open seven kiosk locations on College campuses as well as seven stand-alone locations. I just started the franchise venture, planning to sell at least thirty franchise locations in 2018. Our success strengthened the reason why I got involved with this business in the first place, the love of the black stuff and the society that surrounds it.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To create a concept in the worst timing (2008 market meltdown) possible with banks going out and customer spending being limited was my biggest challenge.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Minuti Coffee – what should we know?
We are part of a coffee roasting company from Modena, Italy. I have started opening coffee retail shops in Houston with plan of national expansion through a franchise system. With being the third generation in coffee distribution and almost 38 years in retail operations, we have created a chain of coffee shops (Minuti Coffee). We make our own coffee and drinkable chocolate. We provide a turnkey coffee shop operation which includes but not limited to design, equipment, maintenance, training, QSC program, marketing, product development, distribution, etc.
We are proud to be able to roast our own coffee, make our own chocolate and have created our own coffee shops. Great products, service excellence and the love for coffee and people, are the keys to our national expansion.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Consistency in product quality, friendly and efficient service, clean and warm ambiance. True coffee shop concept, a welcome addition to any street in any neighborhood. A place where to go to hang-out, to work, to chill or to pass through when there is a need for a brew. Simply, Minuti is a friend that fits in with your life!
Contact Info:
- Address: Minuti Coffee
2700 W.W. Thorne Dr.,
Houston, TX 77073 - Website: www.minuticoffee.com
- Phone: O. 281-765-7871 or Cell. 832-766-8331
- Email: amotamedi@minuticoffee.com
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