Jamaica Blue Explained

Jamaica Blue
Type:	Coffee
Currentowner:	Foodco
Origin:	Australia
Markets:	Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, China, United Arab Emirates

Jamaica Blue is a franchise business of Foodco which operates small coffee shops throughout Australia, New Zealand, UK, China, Malaysia, Singapore and United Arab Emirates. The company mainly operates businesses in residential areas, malls, airports, hospitals and high streets.^[1] In 2012, the first Jamaica Blue cafe opened in Singapore, in that same year the cafe celebrated its 20th anniversary.^[2] Jamaica Blue has around 134 cafés internationally in 7 different countries.^[3] It has opened its 100th store in Australia on 16 October 2014, with the 100th café opened in the new development of Westfield Miranda.^[4] Jamaica Blue is the sister company of Muffin Break, which is also a franchise of Foodco.^[5]

Awards

The Jamaica Blue brand have received a number of achievements since beginning their operations:

• In 2019, rated “High Performers” by FRANdata – the independent Australian Franchise Rating Scale. Ratings are given after an independent and fact-based examination.^[6]  
• In 2019, Jamaica Blue were awarded as the QSR Winner of the Best Brand Transformation^[7]
• In 2017, Jamaica Blue was the Golden Bean Roaster's Competition GOLD Winner for the Overall Large Franchise Champion^[8]  
• In 2017, QSR announced Jamaica Blue as the recipient of the Best Franchise Partner Engagement Award^[9]
• In 2016, Jamaice Blue won QSR's Best Innovation – Food & Beverage^[10]
• In 2016, QSR also named Jamaica Blue as the Best Franchise Network Support^[11]

Community Support

The City of Wanneroo, working with Alzheimer's WA, Jamaica Blue and Ocean Keys Shopping Centre, will join the growing network of memory cafes at the end of September 2020.

“Memory cafes help reduce stigma and promote a society that enables and supports people living with dementia to remain active in the community rather than be confined within the four walls of their home,” said Alzheimer's WA chief executive, Maria Davison.^[12]

In 2020, Jamaica Blue together with their sister company, Muffin Break, raised over $90,000 to assist those affected by the devastating bushfires within Australia^[13] by donating to the Australian Red Cross Bush Fire Appeal.

Controversies

In November 2020, Former journalist and Labor candidate Ali France made alleged the Jamaica Blue Indooroopilly store appeared to discriminate against her due to her disabilities and had security escort her from the premises.^[14] After publicly discussing the incident on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it gained significant national media coverage. The next day, the company issued an unreserved apology on behalf of Jamaica Blue and the franchisee, and expressed deep disappointment at the treatment of France.^[15]

See also

• List of coffeehouse chains
• List of restaurant chains in Australia

Further reading

• Web site: Algethami . Sarah . Jamaica Blue aims to grow UAE footprint . GulfNews . October 31, 2015 . June 3, 2016.
• Web site: Mackay couple juggles new bub with second cafe site . Mackay Daily Mercury . January 5, 2016 . . June 3, 2016.
• Web site: Korner . Andrew . Jamaica Blue makes it coffee franchise No.5 at Riverlink . Queensland Times . December 19, 2013 . June 3, 2016.
• Web site: msowden . Thriving metropolis for new Jamaica Blue owners . Gladstone Observer . June 25, 2015 . June 3, 2016.
• Web site: rachaelmurray . City barista proves coffee queen at Jamaica Blue titles . Chronicle . April 17, 2014 . June 3, 2016.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Our Story . www.jamaicablue.com.au. 2016-05-26.
2. Web site: Jamaica Blue café opens in Singapore Global Coffee Report. gcrmag.com. 2020-04-08.
3. Web site: 2017-12-12. Jamaica Blue Cafés Coffee and food. 2020-09-08. Jamaica Blue Australia. en-US.
4. Web site: JAMAICA BLUE OPENS 100th AUSTRALIAN CAFÉ . www.jamaicablue.com.au. 2016-05-26.
5. Web site: Retail Branded Systems – Foodco. 2020-09-08. en-AU.
6. Web site: Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue recognised for high performance and superior transparency. 2020-09-08. Business Franchise Australia. en.
7. Web site: Find out the winners of the QSR Media Sandhurst Awards. 2020-09-08. QSR Media. 20 June 2019 .
8. Web site: Jamaica Blue named Overall Large Franchise Champion. 2020-09-08. QSR Media. December 2017 .
9. Web site: QSR Media Detpak Conference & Awards 2018 QSR Media. 2020-09-08. qsrmedia.com.au. 21 June 2017 .
10. Web site: QSR MEDIA DETPAK AWARDS 2016 WINNERS ANNOUNCED. 2020-09-08. QSR Media. 26 July 2016 .
11. Web site: QSR MEDIA DETPAK AWARDS 2016 WINNERS ANNOUNCED. 2020-09-08. QSR Media. 26 July 2016 .
12. Web site: 2020-09-14. Memory cafe launches in Clarkson. 2020-09-16. Community News. en.
13. Web site: Franchise Council of Australia Franchises supporting bushfire relief. 2020-09-08. en-AU.
14. Web site: 2020-12-03. Former journalist and ALP candidate escorted out of cafe. 2020-12-03. NewsComAu. en.
15. Web site: Disabled mother hopes people will 'learn' after sharing her horror cafe story. 9News. 4 December 2020. 8 May 2024.