Draft:Bob & Berts

Bob & Berts is a modern-day twist on a traditional coffee shop serving 'proper coffee & great grub', with their headquarters in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Bob & Berts was founded in Portstewart in 2013 by Colin McClean. Since 2013 they have expanded to over 30 stores throughout Northern Ireland, Scotland and England following investment in 2017 from British Growth Fun (BGF). BGF are the UK & Ireland's most active and dynamic investor of equity capital in growth economy companies, backing entrepreneurs and innovators.

In 2023, the founder Colin McClean was named in the FEBE Growth 100 list, the only named entrepreneur from Northern Ireland.

History
Bob & Berts was founded in 2013 in Portstewart, Northern Ireland by entrepreneur Colin McClean. At that time Colin McClean had several different coffee shops, cafes, bakery and restaurants. Due to the diverse range of food and coffees this was a complex business operation. McClean decided to take the best parts of each of the businesses. Having noticed the rise of the coffee shops across the UK McClean felt that whilst the coffee was great there was a real need for fresh food available served across the day. He felt it was important to add in an all-day breakfast and a brunch menu as he quickly identified that people were meeting for breakfast and brunch in an increasing number. McClean grew the business quickly across the north coast of Northern Ireland and in the first 2 years opened 7 sites.

Bob & Berts began to franchise the business in June 2014. One franchisee still exists today in Limavady as Bob and Berts made the decision to only open company owned and operated stores in 2018.

In 2015, McClean was joined by his brother-in-law, David Ferguson. Ferguson had extensive experience working in Finance in London, England and joined McClean as a partner in the ever-growing business.

By 2017 they had 10 stores throughout Northern Ireland, in regional towns and small cities such as Lisburn, Newtownards, Omagh, Portrush, Lisburn and in the Stranmillis area of Belfast

In 2018, Bob and Berts took investment from BGF as it looked to expand across the UK. Bob & Berts were focused on rolling out stores in regional towns and smaller cities in Scotland having seen this success through their business growth in Northern Ireland. The first Bob & Berts store in Scotland was opened in Falkirk in October 2018. Over the next three years Bob and Berts focused on developing the brand and supply chain in Scotland and grew their estate 6 stores. These are located in Falkirk, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Dumfries, Stirling and Perth. Bob & Berts will open their first store in Glasgow city centre in 2024.

In 2021 Bob and Berts, looked to open in north west of England. Three stores were opened in 2021 during the Covid pandemic, with the first store opening in Lancaster. Expansion continued into 2022 -23 as Bob & Berts focused again on small regional towns and cities in England. Given the success of the expansion into England and the geographical size of that country Bob & Berts focus is on expansion throughout England.

In 2023, the business continued to grow with two new stores in England, opening in Wakefield and Blackpool, along with a third store in Belfast City centre, Northern Ireland.

Products
Bob and Berts has a long-standing relationship with Johnsons Bros. Coffee Roasters based in Lisburn Northern Ireland. In conjunction with Johnson’s coffee Bob & Berts has developed its own unique blend which is served in all its coffee shop sites and available to buy online.

After McClean noticed a gap for a 'coffee shop with a twist', a menu was designed to provide customers with 'proper coffee & great grub.' Over the past ten years Bob & Berts have been known for the innovative menu items, such as the 'Spud Stack,' comprised of local Northern Irish potato bread, sausages, bacon and topped with an egg.

The coffee chain creates multiple menus throughout the year depending on the season and celebratory holidays. The chain is known to serve all day breakfasts from French Toast to Bob's Famous Fry. They also offer a range of lunch specials including, loaded fries and burgers, along with a deli counter full of paninis and sweet treats.