03/15/2016
Exploring Russia
Our Presse Café CEO and his esteemed advisors are presently in Russia. Their mission is to explore and weight the opportunities for us in Moscow over the next years. Stay tuned!
Our Presse Café CEO and his esteemed advisors are presently in Russia. Their mission is to explore and weight the opportunities for us in Moscow over the next years. Stay tuned!
After 35 years in the trade and export field both here and abroad, M. Hussain became the owner of a Presse Café franchise without having planned it much. It was the kind of opportunity that you feel that you have to seize with the intention of doing something great with it.
Mr Hussain is a "real" businessman. It shows through the passion that pierces through each sentence when he talks about his business and explains to what he owes its success.
"When I start something I go all the way! It was like this from the beginning and still is. It is what I taught my children who are working with me to do. At first, you have to be aggressive as in determined, stubborn! Then you have to go all the way with your ideas without ever giving up, even when you encounter obstacles and difficulties. And to be able to do that, you must love what you're doing."
Customers have noticed that the attention to details in order to impress them and to make their visits to Presse Café enjoyable have been multiplied since Mr. Hussain and his family took over those two branches.
"We have embellished the terrace, gave a new look to the place and increased our daily salad selection by varying our offers. We take our time with each client when serving them the perfect coffee and plate they want, and in addition, to ensure the quality and the freshness of the products, we pay special attention to the presentation of our plates because we first and foremost "eat" with our eyes!"
For him, the word-of-mouth is the best advertising strategy. "When customers take the trouble to point out how delicious the food was and how much they appreciated the welcome they received from us, we know that they will tell their friends and find opportunities to come back" he said.
The secret? You have to work hard!
When asked what he means by "work hard," he hastens to explain that the quality of work is not measured by the number of hours you put in.
"We work a few hours each day. Between seven and eight. However, it is important to clarify the work, to make it more efficient and to simplify everyone's tasks. Working hard is putting your utmost in what you're doing in order to make it perfect. As simple as that. It is also coming up with ways to be more efficient. All this comes with loving what you do of course"
And finally, he attributes much of this work and success to his team that he shaped to his liking, obviously.
"It is important to get the team involved. I work with my family, my son, my daughter, but the employees also became part of the family. They are our children. And every day we ask them their opinion. When they taste our products they know that they're good and become more convincing when assisting the clients with their choice because they know. No need to pretend!"
If the Presse Café concept is strong in itself, people like Mr. Hussain who know how to surround themselves with a strong team give Presse café its flavor, its unique colors and that little extra that makes you come back again and again. To speak with Mr. Hussain and to drink a good cup coffee on the flowered terrace.
Both Presse Café branches are open 7 days a week until evening.
Presse Café Dix/30
Presse Café Square Dix/30
The new franchisee of Presse Café St-Hilaire considers himself lucky because he discovered at the age of 39 his real vocation. Greeting people, cooking for them and offering them a second home, the time of a meal or a coffee, was always a thrill for him. He loves people and takes a great pleasure serving them as a restaurant owner.
We asked him to describe his journey a little more.
Before joining Presse Café network, I worked in the hotels and restaurants field for 18 years and between Hotel Management studies, Sommelier Training at the ITHQ, working shifts at receptions, nights’ auditions, room service at hotels and as a waiter at restaurants, I learned my job.
When I was young, I dreamed of becoming a singer, a dancer, a doctor, a fireman, an architect, a chef like any kid of my age. Then with time, the idea of owning my own restaurant grew and took roots in me.
Now, I will have the chance to welcome the locals in the Presse Café and somehow be there for them while they’re enjoying their relaxation moments outside the office hours or school or home.
Do I need to add that I am already thrilled at the idea of being part of this great community that revolves around Presse Café morning, noon and evening?
Presse Café Mont St-Hilaire is open from 6 am to 7 pm on weekdays, and from 7 am to 7 pm on weekends.
Click the link below to follow on Facebook the news of Presse Café Mont-St-Hilaire and the coffee contests: fb.com/pressecafe.msh
Presse Café Cyprus opened its new store December 19h, on the premises of the movie K-Cineplex in the area of Makedonitissas. The big cinema parking, the indoor and outdoor space and Wi-Fi services, makes our new store the ideal place for meetings, and special events.
The authentic espresso bar and the sophisticated menu is the best choice for a quality breakfast, a business lunch or dinner.
To find out Presse Café at K-Cineplex's operating hours and the full address, click here.
Everyone enjoyed Presse Café's kids event which took place in Presse Café Stavrou in Nicosia on Saturday 4th of October. Face painting, music and dancing, along with our animator's fairy tale theme filled the ambiance with smiles and magic.
A local radio station sponsored the event along with our team co-operation.
Wednesday, 10:30 p.m.: a technician succeeds in repairing the dishwasher. After a long day of plunging hands in hot, soapy water to clean the utensils and pots that were used for D-Day, it's great news to have a dishwasher again
It's now 11:00 p.m.. Before leaving the café, the final preparations are made. The team takes stock of a busy day and laughs together-out of fatigue and sheer joy. Everyone will be able to get a few hours of shut-eye before returning to the kitchen. Weylan, our new Presse Café franchisee, his cousins, a few employees, and Presse Café's support team say "Goodnight!" and "See you tomorrow!"
It's the big day! In just a few minutes, Weylan and his team will be welcoming their very first clients. Coffee is brewing, the croissants and muffins are baking in the ovens, and the counters are filled with breakfast delights.
It's 7 a.m.: the doors can now open! Odors of baked goods and fresh coffee are wafting outside, enticing clients to stop by. Clients lined up all day to try out our new Presse Café. Several new patrons expressed their delight at seeing us set up shop in the neighborhood.
We would like to thank everyone for their warm welcome! We're looking forward to baking, cooking, and brewing for you for many years to come! Whether we'll prepare your favorite mid-afternoon drink or early morning cup of joe, we'll always do it with a smile!
Presse Café 875 Bay St. is open Mondays to Saturdays at 7 a.m.. Follow us on Facebook.
On September 8, Presse Café 7077 Parc officially opened its doors to students at the Université de Montréal's satellite campus, which is located north of Park Avenue and near Jean-Talon Boulevard in Montréal.
When we asked for her first impressions, Nancy Kelendji, our new franchisee, explained that she was surprised at how many customers came in as of Day 1.
Her Presse Café was bustling with clients and friends who came to encourage the team-and she received several orders for catering services that were prepared throughout the day.
Thanks to Mother Nature and her great weather, the terrace was particularly full; many people were stopping by to "breathe, eat, and drink" in this charming new Presse Café.
The baristas' much-adored new machine.
Presse Café 7077 Parc is open every days until evenings. Follow the café on Facebook.
Many French-speaking Quebecers are itching to watch the finale of the Revenge des Chefs, the culinary competition on Radio-Canada Télé. Maybe you are too! Or, are you more in tune with the upcoming Canadian barista championships in Toronto? Until then, we'd like to introduce you to Maxime, our Presse Café barista, who will go up against MC Roaster Bernier (quite a character but not much of a barista) to prepare one sweet latté!
[Click the CC button to view English sub-titles]
People often ask us what are our plans for international expansion. We enjoy answering that it is somewhat like a love story: it cannot be explained – but it makes for a great story! Thanks to Édith Piaf for giving us the perfect answer!
Before becoming Presse Café franchisees, candidates are required to successfully complete a training program that lasts a few weeks. The goal of this program is to help future franchisees learn how to prepare all of exclusive recipes and discover all the facets of managing a Presse Café. And yes, our training program teaches franchisees how to tame the espresso machine!
We asked Nancy Kelendji, who is currently following the program, to give us an idea of her new adventure with Presse Café. What a story!
Our first week of training started on Tuesday. We began by preparing the Presse Café's special coffees. We started with the single- and double-shot espressos. That went off without a hitch. Then, we learned how to make a long espresso. Everything went well. Things got a little more complicated when learning how to make the perfect latte. After several tries, I can now make the fluffy foam!
The time came to practice making a cappuccino. First try: not so bad. Second try: a bit better. And then a client came up to the counter. She wanted a dry cappuccino. I eagerly jumped to it and started foaming the milk. Everything was going well and the milk foamed perfectly. The client watched me on the side of the counter, waiting for her coffee. Once the coffee was ready, I tried to turn off the steam wand-but instead, I increased the speed! Milk froth splattered all over my face, the cash register, espresso machine, and counter. The client burst out laughing and said "I think it's really dry now!"
On this picture: John (right-hand man) and Nancy Kelendji, the soon-to-be new franchisee of the Presse Café located at 7077 avenue du Parc in Montréal. The grand opening is planned for when school starts!