Café chain BB’s Coffee & Muffins is scaling up its training facilities with the launch of a new academy in Ireland.

The chain, which has 150 outlets in the UK and 20 in Ireland, has based its new Franchisee & Management Training Academy at its Irish head office, in Limerick.

The academy, which accomodates 12 students at a time, has a counter and kitchen set-up, as well as classroom facilities.

Participants will be able to make BB’s muffins and become skilled baristas and makers of BB’s range of sandwiches and baguettes during their two-week course. It will also train techniques for ser-ving the New Zealand Natural ice-cream and chilled drinks range.

BB’s also plans to run three- day intensive courses on topics ranging from staff recruit- ment and retention to financial management.

The custom-built facility will support new and existing franchisees to acquire operational and management skills, as well as brand consistency to operate BB’s cafés, said retail and brands director Michele Young.

"We consider training to be of paramount importance and fundamental to the success of each business," said Young.

"Our franchise base of 150 is growing rapidly, especially as we have now introduced our UK franchising model into Ireland. We provide our new franchisees with support to ensure they are successful from the start and achieve and maintain maximum productivity