Port City Java Partners for Three Locations
WILMINGTON, N.C.-- (TECHNICIAN ONLINE) -- November 04, 2005 -- Port City Java, a Wilmington-based coffeehouse franchise, is coming to N.C. State next spring with the addition of three new locations throughout campus. According to a Port City Java press release, an agreement has been made with University Dining to develop and operate three Port City Java cafés located on Main and Centennial campus.
" The company also executed a Coffee Purchase Agreement with University Dining to provide coffee for its catering and a frozen coffee beverage to be served at NCSU's football venue, Carter-Finely Stadium, " said the press release.
Randy Lait, the business manager for University Dining said the first two locations will open in the spring, while the third location will open in 2007.
" The first location will open at the College of Textiles on Centennial Campus, and hopefully it will open for business a week later, " Lait said, noting that completion is scheduled for Jan. 23. " The next location will be in Engineering II on Centennial and because that building is a little behind, we hope to have that location open sometime in February or March. The final location will be located in the future Carmichael Gym expansion in 2007. "
According to Lait, working with Port City Java to reach an agreement was painless.
" They are a very fast-growing company in Wilmington, have very nice people and were very interested in NCSU, " Lait said.
Lait also explained that Seattle's Best, the current coffee sold at the Hill of Beans in D.H. Hill Library, was bought out by Starbucks.
" We contacted Starbucks as a possible franchise, but were unable to work out a deal because of complications with a non-disclosure agreement, " Lait said.
Lait also added that the library wasn't interested in accommodating a new Port City Java because it wants to retain the current " Hill of Beans " name and color scheme.
Students expressed their approval for adding both variety and quality to NCSU's dining options.
" It would be a nice addition, " Matt McGrady, a sophomore in textile management, said. " The more places to get coffee, the better. "
McGrady also noted that the new Port City Java locations will be good for Centennial because the only other coffee shop on campus is at the library.
Students, particularly the ones who spend the bulk of their time on Centennial, such as Ian Raulston, said they are looking forward to see what the new coffeehouses have to offer.
" Usually with a coffee shop, you get breads and cookies, " Raulston, a junior in textile management, said. " The food might be fresher at Port City Java compared to the prepackaged food in the Shuttle Inn. "
According to Port City Java's menu, it not only offers a wide variety of organic coffee, but also salads, smoothies, fresh baked goods, sandwiches and even wraps.
" It sounds like a good alternative to what we already have, " Raulston said. " Even though I don't drink coffee, I will go there just to get a variety. "
On the other hand, Raulston said he feels the space for the new Port City Java could be used for a much more substantial dining service instead of a coffee shop.
" A hot bar might be a better use of the space, " Raulston said. " Our old hot bar was shut down and there is no where else to eat on Centennial. "
Lait explained the difficulty behind opening a dining location that serves cooked-on-location foods, such as a dining hall.
" If you are going to cook food, there has to be an exhaust vent. To install an exhaust vent in a pre-existing building, you would have to eliminate everyone's office or classroom between the dining location and the roof, " Lait said. " It would also require a drainage system with a grease trap and a buried storage tank. Basically, this would all need to be done before a building is constructed. "
Lait also said any cooked food served in the new Port City Java locations will be made in the Talley Student Center and then delivered to the coffeehouses the same day.
Raulston said he would prefer to use a debit or credit card when buying food on campus.
" It would be great if they took credit or debit cards because keeping cash just for food is a hassle, " he said.
According to Lait, University Dining has purchased new registers, but the new equipment doesn't encrypt personal information before transferring the data.
" We are working on having the ability to except credit and debit cards campus wide, but it won't be in the near future, " Lait said.
Not only will the new Port City Java offer variety in coffee and food, but also will offer a comfortable and professional environment for its tenants.
" People will be pleasantly surprised at the atmosphere and quality of Port City Java, " Lait said. " The location at the College of Textiles will have 30 seats and a small conference room with a plasma TV for presentations. "
Logistically, Port City Java is on new ground as far as working with a major university is concerned.
" They didn't have a well-defined college program, but they had a very well-defined coffee program, " Lait said. " The program will be structured the same way Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell are on campus. "
Lait revealed that instead of directly purchasing a Port City Java franchise, both sides reached a licensing agreement that includes $10,000 upfront and an undisclosed percentage of sales.
" The new locations will be operated by University Dining, " Lait said.
If coffee on campus tastes different this semester, it is because University Dining is already using Port City Java coffee at all of their locations.
" All dining halls and convenience stores on campus are now selling Port City Java coffee, " Lait said.
Lait said the 79 cent coffee being sold now is a more " convenient and casual blend " while the premium Port City Java blend will be used for catering and sold only at the new Port City Java locations.
" We are really excited to partner with Port City Java, " Lait saidw.
About the Port City Java® Brand
Port City Java® is located in Wilmington, NC. The Company opened its first café in March 1995, in Wilmington, NC. The Company began Roasting in October 1995 and Franchising in September 2003. Port City Java® has created a specific identity by creating an " all day approach " to sales, through its café environment. For additional information regarding Port City Java®, please email us.
