Coffee that does Melbourne justice, served in the middle of the lot for the crews who build, shoot and run your productions.
Between now and Christmas, Docklands Studios Melbourne will have 600 to 800 people on site every weekday. More than 300 of them are construction crew who start early and stay on the lot all day, working alongside production crews, visiting producers and your permanent tenants.
Right now the coffee on site doesn't match the calibre of the studio. Crews either settle for it or walk over to The District, paying $6.50 to $7.00 a cup and leaving the lot to do it. At 6 or 7am most of those cafes aren't even open. For a studio hosting international productions in the city known for its coffee, that's a gap worth closing.
DSM's role is supporting screen production, not running a cafe. So we run it for you, end to end: baristas, equipment, coffee, food, compliance and reporting. The model is built to be self-sustaining, with a minimum revenue target agreed upfront, and once sales go past that target, 10% of every dollar above it comes back to DSM.
We agree a minimum revenue target together, based on the hours and staffing the lot needs. Crews pay for what they buy, and every sale counts toward that target. If sales ever fall short, the difference is reconciled at month end. If they go past it, DSM shares in the upside.
You tell us the hours and days that suit the lot. We model the minimum revenue target from those inputs and agree it upfront, so everyone knows the number from day one.
From the first morning we manage pricing, menu, staffing and crew engagement to drive sales toward the target. Our aim matches yours: a coffee bar that pays for itself.
Revenue is tracked weekly against the minimum. Any shortfall is reconciled at month end. Above the minimum, 10% of every dollar is returned to DSM.
Once weekly sales pass the agreed minimum, 10% of all revenue above it goes back to DSM. The busier the lot, the more DSM benefits.
Live dashboard access shows every sale against the target, in real time. Month-end reconciliation with no surprises and no complexity.
We plan staffing and stock ahead of time against your production schedule, so the service is ready for busy periods before they arrive.
No staff to hire, no stock to order and no equipment to maintain. DSM provides the space, and we handle everything else.
The operating model comes down to three components.
The revenue needed to sustain a fully staffed, high quality coffee bar with one dedicated barista, without subsidy. Measured weekly across all trading hours.
A second barista for peak periods such as the 7am construction rush, with a minimum of 4 hours per shift. When selected, it is added to the weekly minimum revenue target.
Our proposed price for a standard 6oz coffee. 10oz (large) is priced at +$2.00 above the base rate. Extras such as alternative milks and double shots attract a +$0.50 surcharge. Priced below the cafes at The District, giving crews every reason to stay on the lot.
Adjust the inputs to see the purchases needed to reach the minimum revenue target at Docklands Studios Melbourne. Every sale counts, whether it's a coffee, a pastry or a cold drink.
| Period | Revenue Target | Avg Purchases Needed | Purchases Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per hour (base) | $150 | 30 | · |
| Per day | $1,290 | 253 | 0.4 |
| Per week | $6,450 | 1,265 | 2.1 |
| Per month | $27,413 | 5,375 | 9.0 |
Above the target: 10% of every dollar of revenue beyond the weekly minimum is returned to DSM.
At $5.00 for a 6oz coffee, crews save money by staying on site and get a better coffee than the one over the road. Every crew member who stays on the lot is one less person walking off site between call times.
| Venue | Average Price (6oz) |
|---|---|
| Coffee on Cue (on the lot) | $5.00 |
| Cafes at The District Docklands | $6.50 to $7.00 |
The best coffee. The closest location. Best value for money.
Beyond coffee, our additional menu extends the revenue opportunity, giving crews more reasons to visit and helping Docklands Studios Melbourne reach the minimum revenue target with ease. Every purchase counts. Whether it's a coffee, a sparkling water or a slice, all sales contribute to the weekly revenue target.
Mixed range of premium locally sourced beverages.
Fresh baked goods and light bites to go with the morning coffee.
A welcome alternative for anyone after something other than coffee.
Six integrated pillars that power the coffee bar at Docklands Studios Melbourne.
We recruit, train and manage every barista. One consistent lead barista gets to know the crews and their orders, with support rostered for busy periods.
A specialty coffee program that reflects Melbourne's coffee culture, made the same way every morning.
Integrated point of sale and a live dashboard give DSM real-time visibility of sales against the target.
All coffee equipment supplied, maintained and serviced by Coffee on Cue, starting with a self-contained coffee cart.
We work from your production schedule to plan staffing and stock ahead of busy periods, with regular check-ins with your team.
Launch activations and seasonal specials keep the coffee bar part of daily life on the lot.
DSM gets live access to our platform, showing revenue performance against the minimum target in real time.
Our Classic Blend is roasted weekly for freshness and balanced with sweetness. Great with milk and just as good black. Over 2.5 million cups served and counting.
Best for: a crowd with every kind of order. Familiar enough for the flat white drinker at 7am and refined enough for the visiting producer who takes it black.
We start with a self-contained coffee cart so the service can go live quickly, built around hardware that handles a morning rush.
Self-Contained Coffee Cart
Commercial Coffee Machine
Espresso Grinder
Dual-Screen POS System
The space DSM has set aside sits in the middle of the lot, beside the mess halls and the lawn where crews already gather. It has running water and three-phase power, and it can serve straight out of the window with the doors open.
Leading the sales team nationally. Paul oversees service design, commercial structure and the long term direction of your program. Your commercial lead.
Your dedicated account manager. Nico looks after the partnership with DSM and makes sure the program delivers from day one.
Paul manages all barista teams, site logistics and daily service delivery across Victoria, and walked the lot with you on 29 September.
A 3-month trial, long enough to give the model a fair go.
The trial runs from Monday 19 October 2026 to Friday 22 January 2027, paused from 23 December to 3 January for the studio shutdown. Three months captures the busy run to Christmas as well as the return in January, which gives both of us real data to decide on 2027 with confidence.
A summary of the commercial terms for this activation. The full Activation Agreement governs the engagement and is provided alongside this proposal.
Docklands Studios Melbourne Pty Ltd engages Coffee on Cue Pty Ltd (ABN 64 624 026 470) to deliver the coffee activation described in this proposal at 476 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008.
A 3-month trial from Monday 19 October 2026 to Friday 22 January 2027, excluding the studio shutdown from 23 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Continuation after the trial by mutual written agreement.
Minimum revenue of $150 per trading hour for one barista, plus the optional support barista at $60 per hour (minimum 4 hours per shift) where selected, measured weekly and reconciled monthly. Any shortfall against the minimum is invoiced at month end. 10% of revenue above the weekly minimum is returned to DSM at the monthly reconciliation. All figures exclude GST. Payment terms: 14 days from invoice.
Coffee on Cue supplies all equipment, staffing, stock and consumables. DSM provides the agreed space, power and water access at no cost to Coffee on Cue.
Coffee on Cue carries Public Liability ($20M), WorkCover, and all relevant food business registrations and food handling certifications, and complies with DSM's site and security requirements.
Termination is governed by the full Activation Agreement, which sets out notice periods, breach and cure provisions, and remedies for both parties.
The complete Activation Agreement, including liability, indemnities, confidentiality, brand and photography rights, force majeure and dispute resolution, is issued separately and forms the binding contract between the parties.
Submit your details and we will issue the Activation Agreement to the email below within 24 hours.
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