Hooters Plus Starbucks Equals The Next Big Franchise
February 21, 2007 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
FranBest Coffee reports that they’re not yet franchised, but they will be soon… So start saving your dollars. A product of the intensely competitive coffee scene, Cowgirls Espresso drive-thru coffee stands feature scantily clad baristas, provocative product names, and creative promotional theme days that include:
Military Monday (Apron & Undies)
Cowgirls Tuesday (Chaps & Bootie Shorts)
Bikini Wednesday (You get the idea)
School Girl Thursday (Charlie Sheen’s Favorite)
Fantasy Friday (Use your imagination)
Just like with Hooter’s, it’s hard to tell just who’s getting exploited: the young girls, or the male customers, who are paying them $80 – $150 per day in tips.
And thanks to the Seattle coffee trendsetters, there’s even a cool name for the phenomenon that’s undoubtedly heading for a streetcorner near you: SexPresso.
(Remember, you heard it hear first.)
The controversial Sexpresso movement has caught the attention of USA Today, CBS and other mainstream media. Surprisingly, it’s caught the attention of a number of Internet and blog sites… not the normal venue for such crass exploitation.
Read and see all about it at FranBest Coffee post Sexpresso: The Next Hot Coffee Craze?
Photo credits: Cowgirls Espresso website
WHAT DO YOU THINK? YOUR COMMENTS INVITED!
What a stupid, insulting idea. I hope the employees get benefits, or that at least the company’s Workers Comp plan is solid. Scantily clad steam-burn victims are SUCH a turn-off.
And by the way, are men allowed to work there? If not, well…discrimination. If so, then what? Tighty-whities and some kind of butch apron? Or will they have to adhere to the stated dress code? I might get a coffee there just to see a guy in a negligee.
Way to exploit the burgeoning service workforce. It’s comforting to know that as we tumble out of the middle class, we’ll have friendly, family-oriented service jobs to go to.
And by the way, are men allowed to work there?
Miss Tea: You could start male version and make a fortune. Call it Mr. Tea’s and have them wear Mohawks and speedos! Or Cups o’ Joe.
May i suggest switching to decaf?
You could start male version and make a fortune.
Hee. Nah, somehow, I don’t think so. It might work for those places…um, can’t think of the name, sounds like furniture…aha! Chippendales! But I wouldn’t be opening a coffee bar in order to catch the evening bachelorette crowd.
But your suggestion does offer a solution to the “are men allowed to work there” question. Sure! Speedos and Mohawks. No gold chains (safety issues), and their chests, armpits, and backs must be immaculately waxed.
Oh, they’ll be lined up around the block applying for that job.
Uh-oh. I just thought of another thorny issue: age discrimination. What the heck: let the fogies and fogettes suit up and serve that coffee, too.
Finally, and in conclusion…no, dear, I will not switch to decaf. I’m having fun. Aren’t you?
PS: “Cups o’ Joe”? Why did I immediately think of “The Addams Family” and little Wednesday asking, “Does this contain actual Joe?” Because…ewww.
MissTea:
Here’s another theme for your all-male drive-thru coffee franchise: Macho Machiatto Man.
Whenever a car pulls up, a slightly modified version of The Village People’s “Macho Macho Man” begins to play while the barista foams a latte in a most entertaining fashion.
That way, you can appeal to the gay AND female markets.
MissTea: Seize this opportunity or you’ll be kicking yourself when you see the success story from someone else posted here.
MissTea:
If you do not start the Macho Machiatto Man drivethru chain immediately, there is a group of estrogen-overloaded ex-Mary Kay rep/subversives (headed by a crazy named Duh) who will do so this in a second in order to both satisfy their own perverse desires and to fund the overthrow of a rival anti-Mary Kay faction called The Pink Truth. If this idea falls into the wrong manicured hands (theirs) the devastation could be enormous.
Their website erases any doubt as to their motives or sanity. It’s rumored that they have WMBs.
Viva la revolucion! Bring on the WMBs!
I had to post, Sean, so you wouldn’t be all alone… :)
Princess:
A visit from your Royal Highness is always cherished. I am not worthy.
Come the revolution, your thoughtfulness will not be forgotten.
Sean, I visited Duhville, and thank you very much for tonight’s nightmares. It’s not that they are evil, or that they lack cluefulness, or aren’t hilarious, but OMG, the only thing scarier that a committed MLMer is an irate ex-MLMer. (I kind of like them.)
If they want the franchise idea, I will hand it over and run like hell.
…but oh, what fun awaits me as I delve into the world of deprogrammed Pinkophiles…who are warring with each other! There is a wealth of linkage there, and I both thank you and air-slap you.
The world of franchism (and MLM of course) is not for me. I am a semi-reclusive consumer, and being a person of low low income, a pretty sorry excuse for a consumer.
It’s been fun. I go now, wishing you limitless wealth and much good fortune, and hoping that you don’t let your kids go to work in ridiculous, obligatory costumes, unless they are circus clowns (a legitimate and non-gender-specific profession, although they frighten me).
Finally and in true conclusion, should I know what a WMB is? Weapon of Mundane Badinage? Weapon of Malefic Barratry?
(Hi, Princess. But hey, Sean wasn’t alone! And I wasn’t beating up on him.)
It’s not that they are evil, or that they lack cluefulness, or aren’t hilarious, but OMG, the only thing scarier that a committed MLMer is an irate ex-MLMer. (I kind of like them.) My thoughts exactly. They are very funny and overcaffeinated (or overmedicated) (or undermedicated). If we can only harness their power for Good. However, they are overcome with their enmity for Pink Truth and Tracy Coenen. I fear that in the end, their anger will destroy them.
I think Pink Truth and Duhville raise some good points about problems with the Mary Kay opportunity, but the level of activity on those sites suggest that many of the women were more interested in gossiping and sniping than really building a business. I don’t see them seeking and finding other businesses once disenchanted with MK.
MissTea, I must implore you to stay on as an advisor. Check out the other threads. You represent the much sought after semi reclusive semi-reclusive low low income consumer that is our cherished demographic. Plus, you can moodswing from irate to very funny in 3.5 seconds. Admirable.
Tip: Check out FranWorst.com. Some great opportunities that will help you maintain your low, low income.
Many, on both sides, enjoy the gossip and snipe-fest, but several are succesful at their “independent business opportunity” (or at least represent that they are – it is cyberland, and even I may not be what I seem…)
You’re welcome anytime, Sean, no matter what the other girls say!
And Miss Tea – I saw that Sean wasn’t alone, just thought he might like a little 2-on-1…
I been to something like this in California, but instead of a drive-thru window you have the entire coffee shop, it is called “Vietnamese Coffee Shops”.
What if it was your daughter that wanted to work there with all these guys that just need a quick thrill. Something to think about. It’s one thing for these places to be private but to be out in the open with families driving by. Young boys growing up in this world don’t stand a chance.
concerned wrote: What if it was your daughter that wanted to work there with all these guys that just need a quick thrill. Something to think about….Young boys growing up in this world don’t stand a chance.
I think safety is a definite concern, especially since I’m sure there’re times when one girl staffs one of these things at times. I’d be more worried about the young girls than the young boys.
At least strip clubs have bouncers. Or so I’ve heard.
What I was talking about with young boys is the fact that I have a 5 year old he is able to see things now that he should have to pay to see as he got older. I think about 14,15 & 16 year olds going through these places and no adult has to be with them I would not want my son going to a place like that. Young guys to do not need any more to think about then they already have. I think it just has the possibility of causing problems where there was no need for it. Coffee is coffee go somewhere else to get a thrill.
At least they are drive-thrus… though I guess that wouldn’t stop 5 kids on bicycles from coming at slow times from nursing a single small iced mocha.
I guess if it’s any consolation, this is probably nothing compared to the Internet porn they’re used.
I think this is a great idea and i really want to open one in Reno, NV this is just a creative way to make money. And if girls want to work there that is fine it’s not like someone is holding a gun to your head. If your hot and you can make money with out taking your clothes off then great. As far as men working there that may be a smart idea they will just have to not where a shirt.