Esquires Coffee seeking further UK and Ireland expansion following strong full-year sales

The interior of an Esquires Coffee store in Egham, Surrey | Photo credit: Cooks Coffee

New Zealand’s Cooks Coffee, which operates Esquires Coffee across seven markets globally, has reported strong full-year sales growth for its UK and Ireland operations. 
 

Reporting on the 12 months ending 31 March 2024, Cooks Coffee said its UK and Ireland business achieved 17.6% year-on-year sales growth to reach NZ$58.2m ($34.5m).  

Revenues in the UK increased 21% to NZ$38.3m ($22.7m) while in Ireland sales rose 11% to NZ$19.9m ($11.8m). 

Cooks Coffee opened 11 net new Esquires Coffee stores across the two markets during the period to reach 77 outlets, 60 of which are in the UK. The dual-listed café operator has 14 UK stores and three sites in Ireland set to open later this year, according to its website. 

“We are delighted with the sales growth within our current coffee store locations and with the performance of the new stores. FY24 has witnessed the company setting new records and this success reflects the dedication of our extended team of shareholders, directors, franchisees, regional developers, and company staff and most importantly the support from our valued customers,” said Keith Jackson, Chairman, Cooks Coffee. 

Cooks Coffee’s accounts exclude sales figures from its ‘discontinued’ Triple Two Coffee business, which was placed into voluntary administration on 23 October 2023.  

In March 2024, New Zealand-based Cooks Coffee appointed Aiden Keegan as its new CEO to drive outlet growth for Esquires Coffee in the UK and internationally. Keegan, who previously served as Managing Director of Esquires Coffee UK, will lead the business’ efforts to reach 100 UK sites by the end of 2026 and its search for new investment to scale across Europe and the Middle East. 

Esquires Coffee currently operates more than 20 stores across Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain.