BB's takes to forecourts in first move from malls

摘要

BB's Coffee & Muffins plans to open up to 25 outlets in petrol station forecourts in the UK by the end of next year, after launching the first at a branch of Shell in Middlesbrough last month.rnThe move is the first time the coffee and bakery chain has opened outlets outside shopping centres in the UK and comes after signing a joint venture with Elite Fuels - a forecourt retailer that operates franchises for Shell and BP. A second forecourt operation is due to open in the next few months.rnRetail and brand director Michele Young said BB's is also in talks with another forecourt retailer about opening further branches. "We see huge potential for growth in this area and expect to have around 25 cafes in forecourts by the end of 2010. We canrnoperate on a managed, franchise or joint venture basis," she said. BB's has piloted similar forecourt operations in Ireland over the last two years, she added.