: L-R; Andre Gargiulo, Cerebos Greggs Ltd, Country Manager, Fiona Stirling and Graeme Stirling, owners of Robert Harris Cafe Ashburton, Franchisees of the Year and Sales Growth Award winners, Terry Svenson, CEO Cerebos ANZ.
Robert Harris Café, Ashburton has scooped the top award at the recent annual 2014 Robert Harris Café Franchise Awards, held in Queenstown. The awards bring together the 45 cafes in the Robert Harris Cafe network and acknowledge outstanding service and achievement
Fiona and Graeme Stirling, owners of the Robert Harris Café, Ashburton were named as ‘FRANCHISEES OF THE YEAR’. This coveted award is served up with a trip for two to Italy which the couple plans to take next summer. They also took home the award for SALES GROWTH.
“Every year there are many strong contenders for these awards across the network. We would like to congratulate all of our winners for their success, and for setting the benchmark in each category. The ultimate award of Franchisee of the Year represents success in sales growth, excellence in customer service, exceptional coffee and food, and selection and management of a high performing team that delivers results,” says David Thackery, Robert Harris Cafe, Franchise Manager.
Mrs Stirling said of their success; “The award win hasn’t really sunk in yet. Ashburton is a very tight knit community. I think this award reflects our staff’s commitment to giving Ashburton locals excellent service every single day.
“We have never been to Italy before so we are very excited to go and experience the Italian coffee culture, “she said.
Whilst in Italy the couple will be hosted for part of their trip by the family who produce the Nuova Simonelli espresso machines, which are used in the Robert Harris Café network.
Other award winners included:
Coffee Passion: Ross and Michelle McKeown – Robert Harris Café, Taupo
Best Ambassadors: Rose and Barney Hyde – Robert Harris Café, Palmerston North
Most Improved: Sonya and Rodney Holdaway – Robert Harris Café, Nelson
Rookie of the Year: Steve and Korina Verkley – Robert Harris Café, Te Rapa
