Jester takes a slice

DEMAND for fast food alternatives continues to increase and gourmet pie shops are taking a big slice of the market.

Jester’s Jaffle Pie Company opened franchise stores in Cambridge Street, Wembley and Walcott Street, Mt Lawley in February following the success of its concept store which opened in Claremont in 1997.

Jester’s co-owner and founder Richard Anderson said the store was an immediate success and sales grew dramatically.

“It was agreed that healthy, complementary items such as salads and muffins would sell well with the pies,” Mr Anderson said.

“The manufacturing process has been continuously refined and we have developed our own jaffle pie makers and other speciality equipment.

“Today, Jester’s is in the early stages of developing a national chain of retail stores.

“Both new WA sites were matched to the high profile site in Claremont that proved so suitable to the Jester’s concept.”

“The Mt Lawley and Wembley stores have exceeded expectations and the plan is to open another six to ten stores in the short term,” he said.

Mr Anderson said a University of Southern Queensland survey revealed franchising was 2.5 times more successful than non-franchised business.

“Franchising can work extremely well for both parties,” he said.

“A franchisee can enjoy the advantages of being in business for themselves while reaping the benefits of being associated with a well-known and successful brand.

“Jester’s has tapped into the $5 billion – and growing – fast food industry with a unique product which no other chain has recognised,” he said.