Esquires Coffee stands out from the crowd in ethical coffee house rankings
New Zealand-owned Esquires Coffee is ranked a leader among UK coffee stores for its social and environmental impacts, ahead of global brands such as Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Caffé Nero, according to a new UK study.
An article in Ethical Consumer Magazine - subsequently covered in the UK’s The Guardian - ranks Esquires Coffee stores as having one of the best social and environmental impacts of the 14 major UK coffee chains surveyed in the study.
The Ethical Consumer Magazine can be accessed by clicking here. The Guardian’s coverage can be accessed here
Ethical Consumer considered the coffee brands’ tax affairs, their ethical sourcing claims, their treatment of people, their record on animal testing and product sustainability. Esquires Coffee, owned by the NZAX-listed Cooks Global Foods, was particularly commended for its sourcing of fair-trade and organic coffee across its café network.
The top rank went to privately-owned independent coffee chain Soho Coffee, with Esquires coming a close second. Starbucks and Harris & Hoole were at the bottom of the rankings.
Cooks Global Foods Executive Chairman Keith Jackson said: “It is tremendous to receive this recognition. We are focussed on fairness, integrity, passion, excellence, innovation, community and sustainability.
“We aim for our coffee houses to become an integral part of the community they serve, and we encourage their involvement with local charities, schools and causes in need. Sourcing fair trade and organic coffee is the cornerstone of these values in the international market place.”
Mr Jackson said the Esquires Coffee brand, a microcosm of New Zealand’s café culture, was gaining global recognition affirming Cooks Global Food’s confidence in the ability of the brand to grow around the world.
“New Zealand leads the third wave of global café culture. Cooks’-owned Esquires Coffee offers a sophisticated, artisan coffee experience delivered by local owners who are part of the local community that resonates with consumers in the markets we are targeting,” Mr Jackson said.
Cooks
We're immensely proud of the significant sales growth across our existing coffee shops, driving our passion for expansion and exceptional service. Our dedicated local franchise owners are essential in setting new standards for quality and customer satisfaction. We can't wait to bring our passion to even more communities!