COFFEE lovers were greeted by closed doors at Mocha Mecca’s Mildura city shopfront on Monday.
Franchisor Luke Holdcroft said the franchisee, who had been in there for the last five years, has decided to not renew the franchise.
“He’s decided he doesn’t want to run it anymore,” Mr Holdcroft said.
“He’s been released from his franchisee obligations.”
Mocha Mecca has been 100 per cent family owned in Mildura for the last 18 years.
Mr Holdcroft said during the temporary closure, they plan to “cut the store in half” and turn it into a takeaway shopfront, which is the original footprint of the business.
“When we got the store 18 years ago, we didn’t have the back area with the seating,” Mr Holdcroft said.
“The majority of what we do is takeaway, and we want to play to our strengths.
“We already have a new franchisee ready to take over the store, just waiting on the successful negotiations of the lease.”
The intention is to reopen the store next week.
