There’s plenty of great info about the Cafe2U franchise on this site and their own franchise website; the regular news items on this site are also useful in helping you understand what this opportunity can offer you. However, nothing beats hearing from people just like you about what it actually feels like to build something of your own.

Which is why Cafe2U like to regularly speak to their franchise partners about their experiences and share the story of how, and what made them decide to become a mobile café owner. 

Every Cafe2U business owner has their own unique background and journey, and no two are the same, but this latest real-life story is an especially fascinating one. It comes from someone who has served his country, worked overseas, and spent a long time asking himself what he really wanted to do. The answer turned out to involve a coffee van, a storage unit, and a customer named Tia who sprints over for her oat milk chai latte (among others!).

Meet Chris – Cafe2U owner in Bicester

After 25 years in the British Army, Chris’ relationship with coffee was purely functional. As he puts it: “It was brown, came in a metal mug, and its main job was keeping you awake, warm, or vaguely functional at 0300. Somewhere along the way, that changed.

Coffee became something I actually looked forward to. A ritual. A small daily win I found myself properly embracing coffee culture and developing a genuine appreciation for a really good cup.”

After leaving the military, Chris moved into facilities management and security consultancy overseas. “Interesting work, good experiences… but if I’m honest, nothing really scratched the itch.”

So when he came back to the UK he started really digging deep into how he wanted his future to look. 

“I came back and started asking the slightly uncomfortable question: what do I actually want to do?”

The answer arrived while standing outside a coffee shack in Portsmouth, watching the owner – calm, relaxed, clearly enjoying life. His son, with the tact only teenagers possess, said: “Why don’t you do something like this? Why not indeed!”

Why franchising, and why Cafe2U

Chris was now sold on the idea of his own mobile café; he considered going it alone, but was quick to realise just how challenging it would be. “I realised that spending a lot of money on something I didn’t fully understand might not be my strongest move. Franchising made sense. I looked at a few options – even flirted with the idea of a coffee bike (quickly realised I didn’t fancy towing my business around like a reluctant caravan). 

Then along came Callum from Cafe2U, at that point, I was basically sold.”

Callum says: I’m flattered, but I can’t take all the credit! Chris booked a Discovery Call with me and I took him through more details of how Cafe2U worked, but it was also clear early on that he was a fantastic candidate for a partnership with us. The skills people like him learn in the military -discipline, adaptability, the ability to stay calm under pressure and keep moving when things don’t go to plan – transfer wonderfully to business ownership. Ex-service personnel are used to operating with clear systems, taking ownership of their patch, and getting results without someone standing over them.

“One of the things I love about working for Cafe2U is that it attracts people from all walks of life: ex-forces, corporate careers, hospitality, and everything in between. What matters isn’t where you’ve come from. It’s whether you’re ready to build something.”

“I liked the van,” adds Chris, “I liked the concept – and weirdly, it reminded me of something from my military days. The Salvation Army used to run ‘jiffy vans’ around barracks selling hot food and drinks. So naturally, my van is now called Sally… which my old mates have taken exactly as you’d expect.”

The first six weeks 

Cafe2U go all out in helping all their franchisees get off to a great start, but starting a new business is always hard work, as Chris explains:

“The first few days were… character building. Trying to make decent coffee, find customers, and quietly wondering if I’d just made a very expensive lifestyle choice. The £300 daily guarantee in those first two weeks was definitely reassuring – although, slightly to my surprise, I didn’t need it from the Wednesday of week one. Six weeks in, I’m already breaking even.

“I’ll say that again, because I’m still slightly surprised myself – six weeks in, breaking even.”

The network effect and the moment it all “clicked”

One of the things Chris hadn’t anticipated was the power of the Cafe2U name. Customers already know the brand – “my mate knows Ed in Oxford” or “Dan used to make the best hot chocolate where I worked.” Instant credibility, before he’d even made a single coffee.

Then he took his wife out on the van. She watched Tia sprint over for her oat milk chai latte with vanilla. She heard Gary call ahead because he was running late and ask Chris to swing back for a flat white.

“She couldn’t believe how quickly relationships are already forming. That’s when it really hits you – this isn’t just coffee, it’s people.

“I still have the occasional wobble — usually after a tougher day. Bad weather, holidays, etc. I use the time to prospect, look for new opportunities, and plan the next steps. Because that’s the reality of this: you’re building something. One of the best parts has been the network. Everyone is supportive, and it genuinely makes a difference. Head Office have also been brilliant – everyone has been patient, helpful, and supportive throughout.”

Chris never stops looking to the future. His goal? “Becoming the Coffee Baron of Bicester.” He’s already well on his way!