Industry Awards

Columbus wins 5 awards at Westpac NZ Franchise Awards 2015-2016
Columbus Coffee are twice winners of the Westpac NZ Supreme Franchise System Award, three time winners of the Food & Beverage Franchise System Award, and two times winners of the Westpac NZ Supreme Franchisee Award. In 2015 we were also awarded Media Campaign of the Year, a new category within the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards. A list of our major awards follows.

Food & Beverage Best Franchise System 2015-2016

Winner – Columbus Coffee

The judges noted ‘Particular strengths for Columbus Coffee are its business planning, performance measurement and strong focus on service excellence.

Westpac Supreme Franchisees of the Year 2015 – 2016

Winner – The Hall family, Columbus Coffee, Kapiti & Porirua

The Hall family opened their first Columbus Coffee outlet at Mitre 10 MEGA in Kapiti in 2011. They followed it up in 2014 with a second in Porirua – again within a Mitre 10 MEGA outlet, thanks to a venture launched between the two New Zealand-owned brands a few years ago. This award ended an amazing year of success, which started with the family being named joint winners of Columbus Coffee’s own Franchisee of the Year award, alongside Columbus Glen Eden.

The Awards judges commented that their entry reflected a very strong focus on customer satisfaction and monitoring of business performance across a comprehensive range of measures.

Both the Hall family’s cafes are situated in Mitre 10 MEGA stores some 30kms apart, but their individual approach to each market won the judges’ praise. ‘Serving food, coffee and other beverages prepared on site for stay-in and take-away customers, they have adapted their offerings to their local clientele, including regular customer preferences at each location.

Media Campaign of the Year Award 2015 - 2016

Winner – Columbus Coffee

This was the first year that Columbus had utilised TV as part of its marketing programme, a key milestone in the brand enhancement process we have undertaken over the past two years. The judges commented that, ‘Columbus had identified their core strengths and weaknesses, developed key business pillars and constructed a campaign that built consumer connection across the right platforms. Their level of internal engagement with their franchisees was impressive and the results were favourable across many different measures. Pictured below L-R Managing Director Graeme Tait, Co-founder & Director Frances Hollis, Director John Ashby, General Manager Peter Welaster, Co-founder David Burton

Supreme Winner Franchise System of the Year 2010-2011 / 2009-2010

Twice winners of the highly coveted Supreme Franchise System of the Year award at the Westpac NZ Franchise Awards, the awards judges noted the company’s excellent application comprehensively addressed all criteria items and demonstrated highly effective work systems, coupled with very sound leadership. A strong focus on exceeding customer expectations and effective performance management supported by a comprehensive suite of measures showed impressive levels of performance across all results areas.

Food & Beverage Franchise System of the Year 2010-2011 / 2009-2010

Winning this category two years running at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards, the judges commented that the franchise system demonstrates sound leadership across all aspects of franchise operations coupled with a clear focus on delivering service and product excellence.

Supreme Winner Franchisee of the Year 2009-2010

Nigel & Carmeena Heney, Columbus Coffee Ashburton

Highly Commended 2009-2010

Columbus Coffee Smales Farm

Other Awards

Columbus Coffee was also awarded Mitre 10 Service Provider of the Year 2015 and is a multiple award winner of The Retail Association of New Zealand Top Shop and Westfield Retail Award programmes.