In an industry considered to have a low representation of women, it is a corporate feat to have women comprising 39 per cent of Xpresso Delight franchisees compared to the industry average of 27.9 per cent as released in the Franchising Australia 2008 report.

Xpresso Delight co-founders Stephen Spitz and Paul Crabtree said the business model was ideal for women looking for the flexibility to spend more time with their families and still earn a full-time income.

“Xpresso Delight places fully automated, commercial grade, gourmet espresso coffee machines into workplaces free of charge so the business model allows a lot of time flexibility,” said Spitz.

”The machines are sitting there making money while franchisees can also be looking after their family. The original purpose for the business was to provide an opportunity that maximised the time to money ratio.

“Our franchisees can service their machines for a couple of hours each day or consolidate their work into a couple of days and have the rest of the week off. It’s the perfect business to work around family commitments; you have the time to drop the kids at school, run errands or go to the gym during the day.”

A typical Xpresso Delight franchisee would work under 10 hours per week and earn better than the national average wage, according to Spitz.

“A lot of our franchises are also owned by husband-and-wife teams with the woman going out and servicing the machines while their partner will help set up the business and locate the machines.”

Crabtree said that the business was ideal for first-time business owners or mothers who were returning to the workforce.

“Women who have been out of the workforce for a while are not hindered in being able to run this business because it doesn’t require any particular expertise or skill set,” he said. “Machine maintenance, marketing and business skills are all taught in our comprehensive training program and six-week marketing action plan.

“Xpresso Delight is also a less risky proposition than many other franchises because we offer a money back guarantee which promises franchisees will make a minimum 40 percent revenue return on capital investment within the first six months or their franchise fee is refunded.”

Xpresso Delight was ranked 2nd fastest-growing franchise by revenue and 12th fastest-growing franchise by outlet in BRW’s Fast Franchises 2008. The company also won the 2008 Australian Business Award for Enterprise in its industry.