Frequently Asked Questions
Thought about great coffee for your next event, but have some questions you want answered - Chances are they have been asked before
Q - We are running a fundraising event, what will you give back to us from your coffee service?
A - For small to medium sized events we recommend that if you have some staff or volunteers who are Barista's or Cafe trained that you hire our equipment then keep everthing you make less our hire charges.
However on larger public events we can provide our fully staffed coffee service and we will donate to your club, association or charity the following amount in cash. Sales from $550 to $999 - 10% on the whole amount sold, sales over $1000 - 15% on the whole amount sold, so for example, if we sell 400 coffee's at $3.50 each, you get around $210 at the end of the coffee service, that's around 50+ cents a cup.
Q - What do we need to provide for you to come to our event and how much do you donate to our association?
A - All we require is some power (2 x 15amp) or we can use both 20amp or 32amp 3 phase as well. We will donate back to your club/association at the rate described above (Minimum Sales Level is required - This is determined by location and length of booking - Applies to Melbourne Metro area- Ask us for specific details). For a larger event we may also consider paying a reasonable site fee instead of a per cup donation.
Q - Our event doesn't have any power and water, can you still do it?
A - Yes, we carry our own water and for a small charge plus the cost of fuel used we can organise a generator for your event.
Q - Why do you charge a $1.00 extra for your large latte's etc?
A - Our 240ml (reg) Drinks all contain a standard 8gr / 30ml fresh coffee shot, when you move up to our 360ml (large) size drinks we use 2 x 30ml shots (16gr) espressed as a double ristretto or if you like it stronger, as a double espresso. This ensures that your coffee strength is just right. Too many coffee establishments either just use a single shot or push more than 30mls of water through the 6-8gr of coffee resulting in bitter coffee. So for a $1.00 extra you get an extra shot and 50% more Milk without being either too weak or too bitter. (Our Large & Short Black coffees are only $0.50 more than a regular 240ml cup.
Q - How many hot drinks can your cart serve in an hour?
A - With just one barista working, we can serve up to around 140 mixed drinks in an hour, with 2 trained barista's we can put out a maximum 190 an hour which is the physical limitation of just about all mobile coffee carts (2 group heads)
Q - We are organisers of a Trade Show, we need catering services, what can you supply?
A - We are happy to provide our coffee cart for a full Hot Beverage service and can provide snacks, light lunch, light dinner as well as Morning & Afternoon Tea or supper service. Please contact us for menu planning and costs. We are happy to work on a voucher based system which you reimburse us for or a public retail service.
Q - We are having a small private event that we know around 100 people will attend but don't think we can guarantee you $550 minimum sales of around 150-200 drinks, will you still consider it?
A - What more and more of our clients are doing at Trade Shows, Exhibitions and Conferences is that with their event, they add the price of one or more Hot Drink to the entry cost and hand the participant a voucher/s. We then run the cart on a retail basis and you reimburse us at the end of the day for the voucher received. Your clients get great coffee, your event gets a lift because of the presence of a Professional Coffee Cart and as just about everyone will use their voucher/s, the minimum sales of around 150 sales per event (depending on location etc) are usually met.
Q - What is the minimum number of Drink sales you have to make to consider doing an event?
A - The minimum number of drink sales we require before we will consider doing a public booking varies depending upon location of the event and the duration of that event. As a guide, events on the Mornington Peninsula (where we are based) usually require only $500 sales, for Melbourne metro usually around $550, outer Melbourne Metro North or West $600 for those in country Victoria please ask. It is necessary to have minimum sales requirements as we do not charge for travel time or fuel etc. and without meeting these minimum requirements events can end up actually costing us more than we take.
Q - What are your terms of Trade?
A - With Public Bookings, we handle the entire transaction and then give your club or association the agreed donation or negotiated site fee at the conclusion of the event (Same Day - No waiting for your donation).
For private bookings, functions, conferences, Hire bookings etc. Full payment must be received at the conclusion of the coffee / catering service or for our corporate clients, within our terms of trade - usually 7 days. We accept Cash, Business Cheque, EFT (Direct Credit) and all Major Credit Cards including American Express and Diners. Due to High Merchant Charges from the Banks and Diners Club, a Credit Card fee of 1.8% for Visa and Mastercard and 3.0% for Diners applies, However American Express cards are now accepted without any Merchant Fee surcharge. We do not extend credit on any occassion as we have been burnt in the past by slow and non payers.
Q - Our Club wants more?
We receive a lot of emails and phonecalls each week wanting us to do a coffee service for Schools, Clubs and Churches and most times we hear the same questions over and over again, why only 10 or 15% donation, "we want a $1 a cup or more" This is just not possible. The perception among the public that a cup of coffee costs 20 cents to make is a very big myth that frustrates the entire coffee industry. If we break down what goes into a cup, we actually have to produce a lot of cups to make an event worth our while.
1 shot of Coffee $0.23 cents
190 ml Milk $0.20 cents
Disposable Cup $0.17 cents
Lid if Req’d $0.07 cents
Sugar & Stirrer $0.02 cents
GST on $3.50 $0.32 cents
Actual material cost & tax per cup of coffee is $1.01
Add to that $0.35 donation (based on 10%) and that leaves around $2. that we have to pay staff out of, pay travel, fuel, wear and tare and depreciation, machine maintenance, spoilages and other costs associated in running a business.
With the rate calculated on 10% or 15% you also get the benefit of cookie sales and if someone wants a large or an Iced Coffee/Choc or Milkshake then if we sell in excess of $1000 of drinks etc. then you could actually be getting 60 cents or more from the sale of a large coffee or Milkshake / Iced Coffee etc. sale.
If your question hasn't been answered then email us or call us and find out how we can add to your next event.