Brisbane-based cafe Shingle Inn’s franchisees-in-training are in a race to the finish line to become the brand’s first ever franchisees.  

Two new stores, due to open before Christmas, at Mt Ommaney in Brisbane and Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast will be the first of many franchised stores according to director Andrew Bellchambers who, with his brother Peter, announced their intention to franchise during 2009.  

“We’re very excited to have franchisees in training who are so passionate about Shingle Inn and so excited to potentially be Shingle Inn’s first ever franchisee,” said Bellchambers, whose family is one of only two families to have owned the business in its 73 year history. 

Training of Annette Kirby and Kathy Nau for the Caloundra cafe and Nicki Nesbitt and April Carnie for the Mt Ommaney store will be closely followed by franchisee training for the families purchasing two of Shingle Inn’s existing cafes, taking the total number of stores into double digits.  

“I think it’s a reflection of the passion and reputation of our business that our first franchisees are best friends and families that have decided to go into business together.”  

The company will aim to double in size in 2010 with an additional 10 cafes planned according to Bellchambers.