"Costa Coffee to launch independent audit into franchise partners", 23 August 2019

Costa Coffee is launching an independent audit of its franchise partners following an investigation by the BBC into alleged poor working conditions at franchised stores....

...Employees of Bristal Investments said they had been told to work outside of contracted hours and not received tips. Goldex Essex staff claimed the company had refused to pay for sick or annual leave, with one former manager telling the BBC that staff would be fined £150 if the store was opened late or deliveries missed with other financial penalties incurred if tills were found to be short or wastage deemed ‘excessive’.

 A Costa Coffee spokesperson, said: “...we are investigating these matters with those specific partners. Given the serious nature of the allegations, we have today informed all of our individual franchise partners that we will be launching an independent audit into the legal and ethical compliance of their operations, including employment matters..."