Five roads to Really Awesome Coffee

Every Really Awesome Coffee franchise partner arrives from somewhere different. A career change, a redundancy, a family with commitments, a promise made to someone they lost. What follows are five real stories from five real owners, each exploring how they all ended up behind the wheel of a Really Awesome Coffee van.

The one who left corporate behind: John Allen

John spent 26 years in IT, most recently as a Technical Account Manager for a global cloud computing firm. He’d been put at risk of redundancy more than once over that career, and each near miss was another blow. The final redundancy, in May 2026, was the push John needed.

John had actually looked at Really Awesome Coffee over a decade earlier, back when the network had less than ten franchisees, but the timing wasn’t right and he stayed in his corporate role. He kept half an eye on the company anyway. By the time John came back to it, Really Awesome Coffee had grown to over 100 franchisees, weathered a pandemic and a recession, and still had a territory available near where he lived.

“Seeing that the company has grown from less than ten or so franchisees 10 years ago in 2015, to over 100, it gave me huge confidence to take the leap of faith to get onboard too,” John says. What sold him was the quality of the branding and products, and what he describes as an immense level of support behind franchisees wanting to grow. John is excited about building something new in his territory.

The franchisee expanding their fleet: Viral Savaliya

Before Really Awesome Coffee, Viral spent ten years in the NHS and two more as a QC manager at a private medical company. Neither gave him control over his own schedule. Running his own round changed that. It gave Viral back family time and made him his own boss, and after ten years operating in the St Neots area, he had the confidence to take on a second territory in Bedford when the opportunity came up.

The transition was smoother than most because Viral had already lived it once. “It was really good because I already did it before, so it wasn’t something I wasn’t aware of,” he says of taking on the new round. “Just repeating the same thing I did before!”

Viral’s advice for anyone starting out? Some rounds take longer to build than others, and the ones who succeed are the ones who give it time and keep showing up. He also pushes back on the assumption that you need to be a natural people-person. Viral calls himself an introvert who learned to talk to people gradually, one small conversation at a time, and says that skill can be built by anyone willing to start the conversation.

The parent who built a business around their family: Becky Burgess

Becky took over her round as a resale and immediately started shaping it around her customers and commitments. She dropped stops that weren’t profitable, picked up ones that were, and started listening closely to what people actually wanted. Chicken goujons went from a couple of times a week to every day after Becky saw how fast they sold out! She now serves her own breakfast baps, flatbreads, and fruit pots, and runs regular treat stops that customers look forward to every week.

The bigger achievement, for Becky, is what the business proves to her two children. “My proudest achievement is taking over the round and making it a success. I am proud to show my children what you can achieve when you work hard,” she says.

Before joining, Becky’s biggest worry was whether the business would actually fit around family life. She’s since built her day around the school run and her children’s after-school activities, and describes the experience as the most challenging yet rewarding thing she’s done. Becky has also found real value in the Franchise Forum, where other franchisees share tips and support.

The one honouring someone they lost: Matt Martin

Matt spent almost 40 years in field sales selling everything from crisps to art to watches before starting his Really Awesome Coffee round. An introductory call got the ball rolling, followed by conversations with the wider team that never once felt like a hard sell. After watching a social media video of a franchisee finishing training and setting off an airhorn in celebration, Matt knew this was the job for him.

The story he most wants people to know is his van’s namesake. Matt lost his mother, Eileen, when he was 11 years old. He’s carried her with him ever since, in tattoos of her hospital letters and in cuttings of her favourite plant. When he mentioned her to Really Awesome Coffee, the team were thrilled to name his van after her. “I know she would laugh but also be delighted to know I’d named my van after her,” Matt says.

For Matt, the business is about community as much as coffee. He wants his round to be fun, relationship-led, and full of the same warmth his mother brought to everyone she met.

The one who found balance after decades in tech: Lisa Foster

Lisa spent 25 years in IT and Telecoms, most recently as Head of Operations, before deciding it was time for a change. She’d always dreamed of running a coffee shop, and a mobile café turned out to be the practical way to make that happen.

She was quickly convinced by the level of support on offer, and how that support was delivered. “Kevin and the wider team at Really Awesome Coffee are inspiring,” she says. She also points to how welcoming the training process felt, despite candidly describing it as intense!

Now, following a launch period supported by Really Awesome Coffee’s Hospitality Support Officers, Lisa has truly found her feet. She’s already building relationships with customers, and shaping a local route around the hours that actually work for her life.

Though each franchise partner has a different story to tell, they all end up in the same place: behind the wheel of their mobile café, running a really awesome coffee business.

Really Awesome Coffee Bridgwater  – Chris Kamin

On his third attempt, Chris finally retired from his role of 30 years as a head teacher. “This was made easier with the lure of a shiny new toy – a Really Awesome Coffee Mobile Cafe!” he said.

Here he tells us more on how it has been going since she launched her Really Awesome Coffee van in Bridgwater.

Please tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to becoming a Really Awesome Franchisee?

In education for 30 years as a teacher, Headteacher. Moved to Somerset from London, married Jools – have two daughters (at University and Year 10)

Why did you decide to run your own business and why Really Awesome Coffee specifically?

My wife Jools and I toyed with the idea of a Coffee/Tea shop many years ago but the onset of major Coffee chains put us off. Bizarrely, Jools was sat in a Costa and saw a van outside, she called me and we started our Franchise story from there!

Tell us a bit about your training at Head Office and your business launch.

Training was fantastic – learning is in my nature and this was all new. We felt like part of a larger family and was made very welcome. Very nervous during the launch but good support has allowed me to grow in confidence. Customers love the idea, love the coffee and generally look forward to a visit.

How have you found the ongoing training and support?

Everyone has been brilliant and always at the end of a phone

What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to invest in their first franchise?

Don’t just do something, find what you want to do then go for it!

Really Awesome Coffee Belfast East – Adam Wilkinson

After a long and successful career as a Business Development Manager(BDM), Adam thought it was the right time to start his own business. 

Here Adam tells us how it has been going since he launched his Really Awesome Coffee van in Belfast.

Please tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to becoming a Really Awesome Franchisee?

I was a BDM for SPAR in Northern Ireland, overseeing the biggest independent account in the SPAR NI portfolio.

Why did you decide to run a business, and why Really Awesome Coffee specifically?

I loved my previous job but felt like I needed a new challenge and I’ve always wanted to start my own business. I had always thought I would open my own shop but after quite a bit of research and due diligence I decided that Really Awesome Coffee was the right fit for me.

Tell us a bit about your training at Head Office and your business launch.

I was very excited about getting started with Really Awesome Coffee. Once I had my barista training I then became nervous that I wouldn’t be able to make the perfect cup of coffee for my customers under pressure. However, after going back for the 2nd week of training I felt much more confident and realised that I was just panicking a little and my barista skills were good and I was just being a little hard on myself.

During my daily run and events I get a lot of great feedback about the coffee, so that has also helped increase my confidence.

How have you found the ongoing training and support?

The ongoing training and support has been fantastic. Definitely couldn’t have launched my business without the support of the Franchise Development Manager and HQ.

What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to invest in their first franchise?

Take your time, do your research and go with your gut.

Andrew Donovan – Wallington

Before setting up my Really Awesome Coffee franchise I was a telescopic forklift truck driver working on building sites. Getting started with Really Awesome Coffee was very straightforward and relatively easy. The training I received was first class and the on-going support was second to none.

Getting hold of someone at head office is very easy! I also feel that their franchise fee is very competitively priced.

An average working day for me consists of about 5 hours trading on the van and about 1 hour at home/collecting supplies.

I love the fact that I can run my own business, be my own boss and most importantly, be a father.

People are always telling me that the coffee I serve is really good and better than what the high street chains are offering. I have a loyal customer base and a good relationship with customers, I serve a wide variety of people from many backgrounds.

The ‘stand out’ moment so far for me has been the realisation that I really am now my own boss! If I was to advise anyone who was thinking of going ahead then I would say ‘go for it, go for it, go for it!’. Working for yourself is something you must aspire to, it’s amazing!

Steve Silver – Coventry North

Having worked for a university as an IT Manager for many years, I decided I needed a change. I needed a big change in career to make it worthwhile getting up for work in the morning.

Everyone likes coffee, so I started looking into coffee based businesses. Whilst I was doing my research and due diligence, I remembered that a friend of mine had taken on a Really Awesome Coffee franchise.

I decided to take the plunge and immediately contacted Really Awesome Coffee head office. The onboarding process was flawless, efficient and professional. This is probably the easiest decision I have ever made, and I look forward to the future.

My time so far with RAC has been interesting to say the least. Since launching in late February 2020, the support I have received from both the head office and the rest of the network has been invaluable, especially during these difficult times.

I have been trading throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with a mixture of home deliveries and existing coffee stops and I have built quite a loyal customer base. I feel like I now know each of my customers and what they would order on a regular day.

For anyone looking to invest in a franchise business, my advice would be, be prepared for some very hard work, long days and nights at the beginning, but it will be all worth it. I just wish I’d done it sooner.

Geoff Kay – Basildon

Geoff arrived at our head office in Coventry for his initial training in July but only launched his business in August due to the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

Since his launch, Geoff has been busy developing his round and serving his customers with awesome coffee. We caught up with him recently to find out how he found the process and how he’s finding running his new business.

How did you find the onboarding process with Really Awesome Coffee?

The onboarding process with Really Awesome Coffee was really easy. There is a lot of work to do, but there is a good framework in place to support you through every step of the way. Without their help there would be a few more grey hairs and stress; they help to alleviate this. Really Awesome Coffee really looks after you and wants you to succeed and that is awesome to know they have your back.

My time with Really Awesome Coffee has been great. I launched my business during difficult times so it was never going to be straightforward (I was under no illusion). Really Awesome Coffee in the shadows to help whenever required is a massive aid to the running of the business.

How have you found the ongoing training and support?

The support from Head Office has been really good. Whenever I have had a question they have been quick to come back and answer my questions. The support visits are an encouragement to me in the growing of my business.

What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to invest in their first franchise?

The advice I would provide to any prospective new franchises would be, firstly, book on to a virtual Discovery Day. If ever you are not sure of anything, Kevin goes into detail to clear up any questions you might have.

Secondly, once onboard, bond with your customers, become their friends and they will look after you, while you look after them.

Paul Bailey – Swindon

Paul joined the Really Awesome Coffee network in March 2021 and has made a flying start running his own business alongside his partner Audrey.

Paul said “I was researching other opportunities and franchises and saw Really Awesome Coffee on a franchise internet page and as I had developed a coffee label in my previous life, this ticked all my boxes. In addition to that, the discovery day really confirmed that this was my future.”

We caught up with him recently to find out how he found the onboarding process and how he’s finding running his new business.

Please tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to becoming a Really Awesome Franchisee?

I was a Regional Operations Manager, for a small contract catering company.

Why did you decide to run a business, and why Really Awesome Coffee specifically?

The role I held was made redundant during the COVID lockdown and as I did not want to go back into that industry, I decided to look at opportunities working for myself.

Coffee was a large part of my previous role and was a close alignment to what I was doing prior. In addition, the App that was discussed on the discovery day is what clinched it.

Tell us a bit about your training at Head Office and your business launch.

The training in Coventry was great, everyone was really helpful. I wasn’t nervous, I was excited to be starting my own business with the amount of support and from real people.

As for the launch, once we got under way, it was great – I suppose it’s like driving, you only really learn what it’s about once you pass your test – Still loving every second, never a bad day on the van, only the wrong clothes!

How have you found the ongoing training and support?

Great, no problems here, my Franchise Development Manager is great and so is the support from the Coventry head office.

What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to invest in their first franchise?

You have to have a big personality – you are in charge at the back of the van, not the customer – the product is fantastic and can stand on its own, however, people buy people – if you are seen to be happy and knowledgeable about the product, they will come out, day in, day out.