Bill & Wilma Armstrong - Xpresso Franchise Operators

Can you give us a Quick run down on your Expresso business?

We are a small family run Xpresso Mobile Coffee franchisee with extensive training, experience and knowledge in the coffee industry.

Our business began with the purchase of a coffee van, but we soon added a coffee cart to enable us to service venues the van couldn't access. To keep up with increasing demand, we recently expanded again to include a coffee trailer in the line up. So we now have 3 ways of delivering our unique coffee experience.

We are professionally trained in the art of making coffee and strive to provide a friendly and professional coffee experience to our customers.

How long have you owned Xpresso Mobile Coffee and what made you decide to operate a coffee service?

We started in May 2006 when Bill left his clerical job after 27 years. We wanted to do something totally different and as we were both office staff we wanted to work outside in the fresh air. We didn't want to just sell something we wanted to be creative too. Coffee is something we enjoyed and you can be very creative. So we gave it a go and we call it our sea change.

What are some of the highlights of your job?

Having a laugh with our regular customers. We have a lot of great coffee friends that we didn't have two years ago. April/May can be great weather wise...no wind and very pleasant temperatures!

Do you have a memorable event or funny story to share?

We went to Elmhurst to the Wind Festival earlier this year. There was no wind so they got the kites up by running around on a 4 wheel motor bike. The adults looked like they were having more fun than the kids.

Last year we attended the Euroa Car Swap meet one Sunday and then the following week the Grand Prix at Cranbourne. Some bikers at the Grand Prix event remembered us from the swap meet and asked if they could get frequent flyer points!!

What is one of the most interesting or unusual places you have served coffee?

The Cemetery at Williamstown. They have two special days and we serve coffee after the church service.

What does a typical day involve for you?

Originally Bill and I would service the regular run. Now we employ Carla and she works with Bill on the regular run while I attend to the bookings and accountancy side of the business. We also employ our daughter, Casey and recently Anne has come on board. We like Anne; she doesn't drink coffee like the other two!!

We find the weekend work interesting. We can be at a Footy match one week, a car swap meet next and a Scottish Festival the following week. The variety is great and we have been to towns that we have just driven through and never really seen, like Euroa. It is a beautiful town and has some very friendly people living there.

How many drinks a day do you make for yourselves and what are your regular choices?

I have two coffees a day. For breakfast I love a Vienna and for lunch I have a Butterscotch or Caramel Latte. Bill is the big coffee drinker, he will have 4 or 5 during the day. Like me, he has a Vienna for breakfast, for lunch, a flavored syrup and then after that whatever takes his fancy.

We have become Coffee snobs to the point that I don't like it when Bill makes me a coffee and he doesn't like it when I make his. When someone mentions they had a really great coffee last time, I'm always quick to say it was because I made it ;-)

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