Second Cup Coffee, Chocolato come to Brandon

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This article was published 31/01/2024 (694 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon’s first Second Cup franchise is set to open its doors to the public on Feb. 2 — and the location will also sell Chocolato Ice Cream starting later in the month.

The new business will be situated in the south end at 2106 Currie Blvd.

Recognizing the absence of the Second Cup and the allure of Chocolato Ice Cream, owners Kartik Patel, Samir and Ketul Chaudhary decided to introduce the brands to bring something new to the community.

Ketul Chaudhary was no stranger to the Brandon business scene, with two convenience stores — Downtown Minimart and Romans General Store — and said he is excited about the new endeavour.

“We’ve invested $1 million in this already,” Ketul told the Sun. “I like coffee and people love coffee in Canada, and this brand is a Canadian brand offering a good, different taste. Second Cup has really good coffee.”

The wide range of options from the two brands is a compelling reason for the trio to introduce them to the local community, providing a unique and diverse culinary experience.

“The menu includes a variety of ice cream options, such as gelato waffles and other desserts,” Ketul said. “On the other hand, Second Cup is known for its extensive selection of coffee-based beverages, including lattes, cappuccinos, flash cold brew, smoothies and different types of coffee.”

Anticipating the community’s response, Ketul said, the team has started advertising, and they estimate that 60 to 70 per cent of people in Brandon know about the new business and are talking about it already.

With a staff of 18, both part-time and full-time, the owners’ primary objective is to establish and solidify their presence in the current location. However, buoyed by positive responses, they are already contemplating an expansion, potentially through the opening of another café with a similar concept in the Wheat City.

“Our operations kick off on Feb. 2, focusing on Second Cup coffee. Following this, in the next three weeks, we plan to introduce the Chocolato brand for the ice cream phase,” Ketul explained. “While anticipating an uptick in demand for our products, we believe our existing workforce is well-equipped to handle operations seamlessly.

“The ultimate decision will be contingent on the community’s feedback and the success of our initial venture. We aim to provide exceptional customer service and strive to make it the go-to destination for the best coffee in Brandon.”

Challenges to get the venture going included the wait due to delivery delays and finding the right location with a drive-through option.

“We invested the first four to six months to find the location, and finally, we found the location and built the Second Cup from scratch,” Ketul said.

Looking ahead to the next few years, the owners hope to grow the revenue from $1 million to $5 million or more. The aspiration, Ketul said, is for growth, but the focus is on striving for excellence in business operations and providing customers with the best coffee and top-notch service.

Founded in 1975 in Toronto, with headquarters in Mississauga, Ont., Second Cup is Canada’s largest specialty coffee retailer.

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