Esquires Cafe Mercer sits at the Mercer Service Centre on State Highway 1, a handy stop for travellers passing through on the journey between Auckland and Waikato. It's part of the wider Esquires network, a coffee house brand that first opened in New Zealand in May 2002 and quickly became the country's fastest growing coffee house franchise.
After 13 years under the original Esquires Café brand, the company launched its refreshed ESQ identity, focused on a fresh made-in-store food offer and an improved coffee flavour. Esquires was purchased by Café Coffee & Bakery Systems (NZ) Limited in late 2015, and now runs around 20 stores across the country with ongoing refurbishments.
The Esquires ethos is built around "Great Coffee Helps" — a genuine, unpretentious approach to coffee and food. Customers are welcome to order their coffee exactly how they like it, whether that's a classic flat white or something sweeter, alongside house-made food in a relaxed, welcoming cafe atmosphere. Regulars can also join the Esquires loyalty programme, now available digitally through the Stocard app.
Right at the Mercer Service Centre on State Highway 1, Esquires Cafe Mercer is a familiar stop for travellers making their way between Auckland and the Waikato. It's one store within the wider Esquires network, a coffee house brand with a genuine New Zealand history.
Esquires first opened its doors in New Zealand in May 2002 and quickly became the country's fastest growing coffee house franchise. After 13 years of building the Esquires Café name, the company introduced its refreshed ESQ brand, focused on a fresh made-in-store food offer and an improved coffee flavour for both loyal regulars and new customers. In late 2015, Esquires was purchased by Café Coffee & Bakery Systems (NZ) Limited, which has since completed 16 store refurbishments as part of an ongoing programme, with around 20 stores now operating across the country.
Esquires sums up its approach with a simple line: "Great Coffee Helps." It's more than a slogan — it's an ethos woven into how the brand operates, welcoming everyday Kiwis without any coffee-snob attitude. Want a little caramel in your flat white, or a white chocolate frappe with a hint of strawberry? Esquires isn't going to look sideways at you for it — your drink is your drink, made the way you want it.
Alongside the coffee, Esquires focuses on house-made food, described as the perfect accompaniment to a good cup of coffee. Whether you're stopping for a quick break, catching up with someone, or fitting in a business meeting, the aim is a calm, relaxing atmosphere — with a bit of everyday friendliness woven in, because, as Esquires puts it, life is serious enough without the cafe being serious too.
Frequent customers can join The Regulars, Esquires' loyalty programme, now available fully digitally through the Stocard app. Once registered, customers can download the app, scan their card, and use it every time they visit an Esquires store to keep track of points and rewards.
Esquires Cafe Mercer is located at the Mercer Service Centre on State Highway 1, Mercer, Auckland. It's open Monday to Thursday from 7am to 4pm, and Friday to Sunday from 7am to 5pm — a convenient stop whether you're heading north or south.