What do Olivia Rodrigo and Craig Howlett have in common? They both have a driver’s license that changed everything. 

Mouse Tail Coffee’s operations manager Howlett moved to London to be an actor, and got a job as a barista because he had a driver’s license to drive a coffee van, which led to a literal U-turn. What started out as a side hustle to fund his acting turned into a full-time coffee passion, and he’s never looked back. 

Mouse Tail Coffee started life in 2013 with a mission to make specialty coffee accessible at an affordable price. Now, with five locations across London – in Whitechapel, Deptford, Borough, Canada Water and Clerkenwell – Howlett uses REKKI to keep track of multiple sites to run things smoothly.  

“Previously, once a week, our managers from our sites would be on their laptops for hours and hours, emailing and phoning different suppliers to order all morning,” he says. “Using the app has been a godsend, especially with the ability to set up direct debits or have the 30-day payment terms, which makes everything streamlined and simple. I want time to work in the business and not waste time on the business.”

Howlett digitised the ordering and bookkeeping process for the company, because the traditional way of doing things wasn’t working, especially when it came to finding new and reliable suppliers.

“We had a rule with our managers at one point that you’re not allowed to use anything but REKKI to order,” he says, laughing. “Having insights and everything on one platform means we have accountability and a record of how much we’re spending. The dreaded admin takes no time at all.”

For Howlett, running a café has its ups and downs: “Food is always a pain point, and it’s difficult to figure out and predict what customers would want in a coffee shop.” Selling soups and salads in a coffee shop, which has a grab-and-go nature, can result in wasted, unsold food – and money – down the drain. Now, Mouse Tail has finally cracked the formula. They’re in the process of opening a bakery at the Deptford branch, which will supply the five shops internally with sourdough bread, croissants, cinnamon buns and pastries. If it goes well, they’re looking to go wholesale with their baked goods. 

“We’re in a lucky position to experiment within our sites, figuring out what works, and iron out any creases to work out supply chain issues. Having a sandwich-only focus means we’re more profitable and our supply lines are now relatively simple,” he says. "I can easily search and compare prices for sandwich ingredients, such as bread, cheese and salami, within the REKKI app. I’m able to browse from the best suppliers to buy from, sort by relevant price and save money.”

Rising food prices is one of the biggest worries facing the hospitality industry. From farmers to suppliers and restaurants, everyone is feeling the pinch, but small independent businesses like Mouse Tail with slim margins are being hit the hardest.

“I feel like we’re always chasing for the cheapest supplier,” Howlett explains. In the past year, milk has been a big issue within the coffee world and it’s doubled in price. “We’re using just as much oat milk as we do regular milk, and the price of whole milk costs about the same as oat milk. Recently, we’ve been using REKKI Insights; we can see statistics and our invoices, and it shows up in black and white on paper how much we’re spending.” 

He adds: “It’s become the norm to charge for alternative milks, but it’s getting to the point now where we might have to start charging for regular milk.” 

Despite the highs and lows of a career in hospitality, Howlett has always wanted to work in a social environment, as that’s where he thrives the most. “I might not be acting like I had planned, but it doesn’t matter what I do, as long as it’s people-based,” Howlett says. “I love working in hospitality, chatting to customers and being with colleagues all day. Learning about coffee and making coffee was sort of the second part of that, and luckily, I really enjoy coffee.”

Suppliers that Mouse Tail loves on REKKI: Cafe Connections Liberty Coffee Roasters Repertoire Culinaire UK Allan Reeder