Ethical and sustainable business practices have long been at the heart of Esquires’s brand identity. Our driving ethos puts people and planet first, recognising the responsibility we have to the farmers who produce the coffee beans we proudly serve, as well as our loyal customers who enjoy the final product.
How is Esquires Different From Other Coffee Franchises?
As an ethical coffee franchise, we only serve responsibly-sourced coffee that is both organic and Fairtrade. We work with franchisees who share our values, cultivating a range of thriving stores that reflect a more conscious approach to the coffee shop industry.
Our wider menus also echo a commitment to more eco-friendly options as we prioritise locally-sourced ingredients where possible and provide various dairy and meat-free alternatives.
We’re also interested in cultivating a genuine community spirit in all of our stores. While each of our stores will always have a particular Esquires flair, no two coffee shops are exactly alike, offering a unique design and atmosphere that feels more like an independent than a cookie-cutter chain.
What Makes Esquires Ethical and Sustainable?
Sustainable and ethical aren’t just buzzwords to us; they’re concepts at the core of everything we do.
Organic Coffee & Sustainable Farming
All of our coffee is 100% organic. This means that no chemicals are used in the farming or production of the coffee beans. In fact, much of our coffee is cleverly grown as part of the existing ecosystem, so no land is damaged.
This might mean that our coffee takes a little longer to grow, but that’s no sacrifice when we know it’s being produced as it always has and should be, with minimal impact to the local environment and communities.
Fairtrade Certified Coffee
All of our coffee is also Fairtrade certified – another non-negotiable. Fairtrade puts people, not products, at the forefront, which is something we wholeheartedly believe in.
Before Fairtrade, the exploitation of vulnerable small-hold farmers was rife, but a Fairtrade certification means that farmers retain control and a guaranteed minimum price for their products. This ensures coffee farmers get an equitable trade for their quality coffee.
Reducing Waste
We also aim to make more eco-friendly choices in each of our stores to help reduce overall waste and plastic use. Our takeaway cups are fully compostable, and our takeaway boxes, serviettes and straws are 100% recyclable, helping all of us make simple changes to reduce our impact on the environment.
To help reduce food waste, we have partnered with Too Good To Go, which works to sell surplus food at a reduced rate before it goes to waste.
What Coffee Beans Do We Use?
All of our coffee beans are 100% organic and 100% Fairtrade, so when you visit an Esquires store, you can be sure you’re getting a quality brew that doesn’t just taste great, but also supports the planet and the coffee growers.
Is Our Coffee Single Origin or Blended?
We source quality beans from various countries across the globe to create unique, bespoke blends our customers love. Despite using blends, we also retain a high level of transparency, just as with single-origin coffee.
We can trace each bean used back to the coffee farmer who grew it. This means our coffee provides that perfectly balanced flavour of an expert blend while offering full transparency and traceability.
Our Equatorial Blend
Our chosen blend has been created based on specific requirements and characteristics that may not be achieved from a single coffee alone. Carefully selected coffees combine to create a complementary blend of something rather special!
We use 100% Arabica coffee from farms in Peru, Sumatra and Honduras, resulting in a delicious blend of complex flavours that works beautifully as an espresso or with milk. We’re proud to serve a unique blend that offers flavours of heavy caramelised sweetness, notes of grain and cereal with a bitter chocolate finish. Each cup is great-tasting, organic and Fairtrade certified.
Where Do We Source Our Coffee From?
We source our coffee from farming cooperatives from around the world. From Indonesia, Sumatra, Honduras and Peru, numerous farms help us bring the best cup of coffee straight to you.
We work closely with many of our suppliers, aiming to ensure the well-being of farming communities and their natural resources is preserved.
Working With Farming Cooperatives
One of our closest farming relationships is with Omar Rodriguez from the Capucas Cooperative in Southwest Honduras. Over the years, we’ve got to know Omar and his farm pretty well, seeing first-hand how an ethical and responsible approach to coffee has had a positive impact.
Omar co-founded the Cooperativa Cafetalera Capucas Limitada, a group that promotes the growth of quality coffee while protecting the delicate local environment. The cooperative provides training and technical assistance to coffee farmers to support them as they adopt sustainable farming methods.
Where are Our Ingredients Sourced From?
Aside from the coffee itself, we also work hard to connect with local suppliers who share our interest in ethical and sustainable produce when sourcing for our wider menu. This means using locally-sourced ingredients and products in our individual stores where possible.
Sourcing locally not only helps reduce carbon emissions and food miles, but it also means we can continue supporting the local community.
Does Esquires Offer Vegan & Vegetarian Options?
As more consumers become more aware of the environmental benefits of veganism and vegetarianism, demand for these kinds of coffee shop products increases.
Our menu incorporates a range of both vegan and vegetarian options to cater to a broad customer base. We also supply various dairy milk alternatives for drinks, including oat, soy, almond and coconut milk.
Becoming Part of an Ethical Coffee Franchise
If you share our passion for great coffee and sustainable practices, and would like to make your mark on the coffee industry, an Esquires coffee franchise could be the perfect next venture.
To find out more about becoming a franchisee, see our brochure below.