NEFA Member William (Bill) Buckley of Bangor, ME and President of Coffee News USA, Inc.  announced the purchase of the parent company and owner of intellectual property rights for the Coffee News franchise system, 2703203 Manitoba, Inc., located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Bill has operated the company under a Management Continuity Agreement since March 1, 2006, when founder, Jean Daum, became serious ill with cancer and died July 23, 2007.

Jean Daum founded Coffee News October 22, 1988 in Winnipeg, MB.  After placing her lunch order, Jean resorted to reading the information on a sugar packet out of sheer boredom. It dawned on her that restaurants were missing the boat by not providing patrons with something entertaining to read for a few minutes while waiting for their food.  After six months of research, Coffee News was born and has now risen to become the world’s largest restaurant publication and the world’s largest franchise publication with an estimated readership of over 8 million every week.

The purchase includes all stock of the corporation from the Estate of Jean Daum, the copyrights and trade dress of the publication and all existing franchise agreements in force in 32 countries.  Manitoba, Inc. will continue printing operations in Winnipeg, Manitoba where Coffee News has been publishing for 20 years.  In addition to Coffee News USA, Inc. in Bangor, ME, the newly acquired company maintains Head Offices in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela.

Irene Tolman of Coffee News Worcester a franchisee since 2000, says, “Bill has been a strong force in the growth of Coffee News and having him at the helm will make people more comfortable by knowing he’ll keep Coffee News going and growing.” 

Irene goes on to say, “the people who oversee the franchise work long hours…Bill’s dedication is amazing! Whenever I call or e-mail Bill he replies within the day (mostly within the hour)…always in a pleasant way and always with an answer. Who can say that about their franchise owner?”

Created during an economic recession, Coffee News has grown in circulation dramatically in both good and bad economic times.  Coffee News contains fun filled, good news and positive information to entertain while waiting.  Community based-businesses are allowed to purchase exclusive ads, thereby targeting restaurant patrons while they dine.  The restaurants receive a weekly quantity of Coffee Newses free of charge.

Coffee News reported 1142 franchises in force as of July 31, 2008 in 32 countries.  Only about 2% of all franchise systems in the world have more than 1100 franchise units.