#beatonstearooms: what's it like to own one?

A picture paints a thousand words, so a video probably paints a million! Our Franchise Business Owners are creating their own legacy of memories - aside from their successful enterprises.

Apart from the possibility of making your dream of owning a tearooms a reality, the biggest return isn't something we can put into words. It's the feeling of pride which comes from walking into your Beatons and seeing what you've created... watch the video and see what that might be like...

Here are a few other benefits to help you judge whether you being a Beatons franchise might be right for you:

• Affordable Option - deliberately low initial franchise fee Compared to other franchises in the hospitality and food sector - and indeed the cost of setting up your own tearoom from scratch - Beatons is an affordable option with a manageable initial franchise licence fee.
  
  
• Security - support at every stage  We take great care in ensuring you're right for us and we're right for you, so our selection process gives us both plenty of time to ensure you feel comfortable and clear before deciding to go ahead.
  
  And right from the outset - from finding the perfect location to full training, working with you to organise your grand launch party and as you grow - our experienced team guides and supports. We know what works - and how to get everyone talking about the best new tearooms in town!

• Expertise and a Sense of Belonging  By becoming part of the Beatons group you have all the back up of proven systems, brand strength, and both marketing and operational expertise with the pride of knowing your Beatons is part of a group founded on sound values and delivering 'gracious hospitality' to your local community.

If this has aroused your curiosity, why not take the next step and request a Franchise Prospectus? Call Samantha, our Franchise Manager on 01747 871819 or fill in our Franchise Enquiry form, link here.  

Beatons Tearooms Latest News

Here at Beatons we enjoy supporting the media - particularly in that old fashioned but not forgotten form, paper! Our latest news appears here. For past releases please contact 'Beatons Central' (our HQ). 

Interviews, Comment, Features speak to our Founder, Patrick Duffy on:

01747 871819 or e-mail

patrick@beatonstearooms.co.uk

If you'd like to commission a feature we'd be delighted to help. We're one of the earliest adopters in recognising the power of the  'curated' collection which abandons algorithms. We're steeped in the hospitality and food and beverage industries, experts on the art of quintessential afternoon tea, loose-leaf tea and have a model which is spear-heading the rejuvenation of the British High Street.

Images: we have a wonderful stock of beautiful images showcasing our tearooms, afternoon teas and team just ask!

#beatonstearooms: Q is for Quintessential Questions...

The start of the year is when we promise ourselves yet again we’re going to accomplish certain things this year (often with a feeling of déjà vu). Here are three ‘quintessential questions’ which might help ensure those resolutions turn into realities and make sticking to them enjoyable!

·        Bring on your ‘when’ hen
I’m writing this on the eve of our annual management brain-storming day – when we plot our projects for the year ahead. We’ve learned long ago that just making a long list of the ‘whats’ can lead to an unwieldy and overwhelming start which slows or even halts progress later on.

Now we create our list and bring on our ‘little hen’ to ask ‘when, when, when’ and plot our projects across the year so we have a 12-month overview. We don’t put all our eggs in one month!

There’s considerable evidence that it takes about 30 days of ‘daily doing’ to create a habit (look up www.jamesclear.com if you’re curious) so why not choose just one resolution per month, and only focus on that? If you can clock up a whole month, there’s a good chance you’ll carry on with it because it’s become routine

How now, brown cow?

Being busy – and January often brings with it an urgency to ‘get on with things’ – often takes us away from the joy doing what we’re doing. We forget that how we’re doing it is as important as the job itself (in fact it exponentially increases the success of what we’re doing). One of my favourite quotes of last year was, ‘The messenger matters as much as the message.’ Being busy – and January often brings with it an urgency to ‘get on with things’ – often takes us away from the joy doing what we’re doing. We forget that how we’re doing it is as important as the job itself (in fact it exponentially increases the success of what we’re doing). One of my favourite quotes of last year was, ‘The messenger matters as much as the message.’ by M. Sanjayan¹. That depends on how you’re BEING.

Although it might sound a bit daft, asking ‘How now, brown cow?’ can stop us feeling we’re on a relentless treadmill of achieving and feel the immediate high of being how we’d like to be right now.
Although it might sound a bit daft, asking ‘How now, brown cow?’ can stop us feeling we’re on a relentless treadmill of achieving and feel the immediate high of being how we’d like to be right now.

·    Be a frog not a clever clog!
Life doesn’t have to be complicated. Many of us (myself included) miss simple solutions either because we’re too close to a situation or because we’re hostage to the myth that progress only comes with difficulty and Hard Work.

Asking ‘what’s the easiest way to do this?’ can often bring results which leap-frog us forward in ways we were unaware of. Accepting we don’t necessarily know leaves space for solutions we may not have thought of to emerge.

Here at Beatons, we love the value which comes from asking ourselves and stakeholders ‘quintessential questions’.  We hope these three make your year a fulfilling one. 

¹M Sanjayan is a global conservation scientist specializing in how nature preserves and enhances human life and is CEO for Conservation International.

Liz Darcy Jones

House Poet

#beatonsbod: Tisbury's Jaguar, Jess!

Jess - now a fully trained cook at Beatons Tisbury!

What's your role and what do you like best about your job?
Hello I'm Jess and and was an apprentice cook at Beatons in Tisbury (now qualified). I’m so excited to be able to work and learn in such a friendly encouraging place. It’s a great opportunity to learn a diverse range of skills and master cooking so many different delicious dishes!

What's you’re favorite drink or edible from our menu?
I really love the ‘Alex’ to drink, it looks so prey with its varying colors and the taste of Passion fruit with Blood Orange works really well. I am making my way through all of the specials on our menu, and I really can’t decide on which my favorite thing to eat is it yet, although all the salads during the summer were delicious.

And how about your favorite book from our shelves?
I’m really pleased that we are now stocking all of the Man Booker Prize books, it’s a great way to keep up with the latest great reads of our me, which I probably wouldn’t have found me to look up!

Which of the ways we like to go about things at Beatons means most to you and why?
I love the fact that whatever we send out of the kitchen has to be presented with ‘sparkle’, and obviously made with great care so that it all tastes great.

If you were an animal, bird or creeping creature what would you be and why?
I think that due to my love of speed I would say a Jaguar, born to be wild!

What - outside work - makes your skin tingle?
It could be a dream, activity (printable!) or piece of music! I absolutely love to go to theme parks, I’m a bit of a thrill seeker! And of course water parks are great, whilst the weather is sunny….

Can you share a practical tip from the kitchen for our Bulletin readers?
My practical tip in the kitchen is DON'T use oil in the water when cooking pasta, it will stop sauces from sticking to the pasta when cooked and prevent making it extra tasty!

#beatonstearooms: The Secret of Slow

Every now and again we refresh this hugely popular post which was first published in March 2016 - as it seems to touch people where they are in a restorative way... 

Part of our ethos is to create an atmosphere where you feel relaxed, cosy and have time to 'stop and stare'. We want to encourage you to slow down and really take time to pause, reflect and restore from the moment you put your foot in the door. This post explains why we love 'The Secret of Slow'!

On the Beatons' side of the counter, we notice these benefits: it makes us more attentive, and - especially when we're busy - it avoids mistakes. In fact we've sometimes have to remind ourselves to go even slower when we're 'crazy busy' so we maintain the atmosphere of calm which we know you particularly value. 

However, especially walking in from the 'hustle and bustle of the High Street', we also know it takes a minute or two to 'readjust' to 'slow time'!  Here are our three suggestions to make it easier:

1. Engage all your senses breathe in a big sigh of relief and let your shoulders drop as you walk in the door as we greet you. Consider switching your mobile phone OFF (!) engaging all your senses while you wait for us to bring you the menu... 
   
   
2. Pick a slow-me-down, pick-me-up stress-relieving tea as you carefully peruse the list of teas on our table spinners. Our green loose-leaf teas or a calming rooibos would be perfect choices. Or surprise yourself and order something different?
   
   
3. Discover the joy of waiting and Thrive! American novelist Nicholson Baker says, ' What was the very best moment of your day? … Often, it’s a moment when you’re waiting for someone...' We love this quote. We also love where it comes from, 'Thrive' which is the ultimate guide to relieving the pressures of this fast-moving, screen based world we seem to live in. We try and keep Thrive in stock at all time and you can find a review on our book blog here: It's Arianna Huffington's 'Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Happier Life' by Ebury Publishing

Take a breath now and enjoy a moment of slow on us!  Paradoxically, you'll find you get more done in less time. 

Liz

House Poet and 'Slow Pro'

#beatonstearooms: what's 'Breakfast, the Beatons Way'?

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, that’s what we are all taught, good for the body and good for the mind! So why not start your day ‘right’ and make it a little extra fabulous by indulging in one of Beatons' mouth watering breakfasts?
Whether you're looking to start your day with a tasty Full English, some steaming porridge or a more continental warm, buttery croissant, we have something just for you…

Delicious breakfast rarebits
Or marmalade on toast
Boiled eggs and soldiers
All the above we boast  

Perhaps porridge is more suited
To your culinary needs
With syrup or fruit
Just a couple of our deeds

Scrambled or poached
On toast or with beans
We’ll do you perfect eggs
No exception, by any means  

Bagels with bacon
Salmon,cream cheese
Egg mayonnaise added
Our bagels will please  

Or a full Beatons Breakfast
To start off your day
Sausages, mushrooms
And more we’ll display! 

Dittea by Zoe Moxham. If you're an early bird and like to set yourself up for the day, pop in to your nearest Beatons for a real treat! Served until 10.30 or 11 am depending which Beatons you visit - give them a ring to check. We look forward to saying 'top of the morning' to you, with our customary heart and passion.

#beatonsbod: Laura - the literary owl of Blandford

Beatons Bod:  Laura Ellerton

What's your favourite edible or drinkable from our menu?
 A Double Espresso and Gluten Free Chocolate Brownies are my idea of a practically perfect start to any day...in fact, just writing this is making me feel hungry for one of them right now! 

What is your favourite book and why?
As a Child, The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis, as a Teenager, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee, as a Twenty-something, What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn and currently, When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson.  As you can see, I've struggled to choose just one, but if this article persuades you to pick up and read any one of the Books mentioned above, you'll understand why I've recommended them. Each of Them are examples of Storytelling at its absolute best. 

Which of the ways we like to go about things at Beatons means most to you and why?
I'm extremely proud of working at Beatons and feel that we really know how to make each and every one of our Customers feel special. We take our time, treat everyone as an individual and create a little haven of calm and elegance in our Tea Rooms, which is very much needed during hectic and busy Christmas Shopping Weeks! 

If you were an animal, bird or creeping creature what would you be and why?
I'm going to say an Owl...  As one of the more 'mature' (Older!) Members of Staff here at Blandford, I hope my extra years of book-selling and catering experience can be useful to pass on to younger Beatons' Owlets!  Plus, I'm not sure it truly qualifies me as a 'Wise Owl', but I'm partial to a Crossword, episode of University Challenge and Pub Quiz or two. Competitive? Moi?! 

What - outside work - makes your skin tingle?
Spending Quality time with my Daughters, visiting Art Galleries, Live Music and Comedy Concerts, Literary Festivals, Scandinavian Crime Boxsets, Lazy Beach Days in the Summer (we're so lucky here in Dorset!) and every now and again, appreciating a quality bottle of Sauvignon Blanc...