Owners of Java Kai, a coffee-shop franchise founded on Kauai, celebrated the grand opening of its first Honolulu shop recently. Java Kai Honolulu owners celebrated the fifth Java Kai franchise in Hawaii, and seventh in the United States, with the
Owners of Java Kai, a coffee-shop franchise founded on Kauai, celebrated the grand opening of its first Honolulu shop recently.
Java Kai Honolulu owners celebrated the fifth Java Kai franchise in Hawaii, and seventh in the United States, with the opening.
Java Kai, Kauai’s first “micro coffee-roasting company,” specializes in roasting Hawaiian coffees from Oahu, the Big Island, Molokai and Kauai.
Approximately 12 tons of coffee beans are roasted a year, some 20 percent to 30 percent of which is grown in the islands.
As well as serving fresh-roasted Hawaiian coffees, specialty espresso drinks, fruit smoothies, teas, baked goods, and whole-roasted beans, Java Kai offers its signature, Anu, (frozen, blended espresso drink), as well.
In the early months of the new millennium, the process of franchising had begun.
“We will sell the owner the rights to the Java Kai reputation, train them, put the entire package together, and provide them with long-term support,” said Brent Hickman, founder and co-owner of Java Kai, along with wife, Jennifer.
On Sept. 1, 2001 the first Java Kai franchise in Kapaa was sold; the Hanalei franchise sold two months later, to Charlene and Jeffrey Mills, a mother-and-son partnership.
What began as one Java Kai store in 1997 has now evolved into two separate companies, Java Kai Etcetera (franchisor) and Java Kai Roasting.
Jeffrey Mills, owner of Java Kai Honolulu, on Bishop Street, said he recognized a great business opportunity when he first read the Hickmans’ franchise packet.
“Brent and Jennifer had done a superb job of putting together a complete package of information describing the franchise,” Mills said.
“I loved the idea of the Hawaiian atmosphere and specializing in Hawaiian coffees, and saw how this opportunity could expand statewide, throughout America, and worldwide. I believe it is a superior product,” says Mills.
Following three weeks of intensive training that included techniques for management styles, store upkeep, and learning specialty-coffee recipes, Mills gained a good grasp on running the coffee shop.
“I learned the complete gamut,” says Mills. “I had to get to know their business very quickly.”
The Honolulu store is the second for Mills. His first is in Hanalei Center.
“After this second store opened, I know the business inside out,” says Mills. The Hickmans were on Oahu last weekend to help with the opening.
According to Mills, the second store will run even more efficiently now that he is adept at supervising employees, ordering products, practicing other management skills, and allocating costs.
After managing an already existing Java Kai in Hanalei and building the Honolulu franchise from the floorboards up, Mills sees a bright future ahead.
With seven existing Java Kai franchises and more stores in the process of negotiations, the Hickmans hope to eventually take the company public, putting it on the stock market. Their vision for the future is simple, “to continue to expand and have a good time,” says Brent Hickman, laughing.
Kauai operations include stores at Hanalei Center; the center of Kapaa town on Kuhio Highway; coming soon to Rice Street in Lihue as well as Koloa and Poipu; and the office and roasting operation on Aukele Street in Lihue Industrial Park Phase II. For more information, please call 245-6704, or see the Web site, http://www.javakai.com.
