The Coffee Club
Encyclopedia
The Coffee Club is a coffeehouse
-style café
chain. Originally created in 1989 as a place to get "an excellent coffee", the concept now includes cafébar/restaurant stores with expanded menus and full table service.
The first store opened on 2 November 1989 at Eagle Street Pier
in Brisbane (directly opposite the site of the successful World Expo 88), under the management of businessman and former hairdresser John Lazarou
. Lazarou also managed the next six stores that the company opened, before joining the Kokoris/Drivas partnership as a co-director.
In October 2007, Thai company Minor International
announced it would acquire a 50% stake in The Coffee Club. The move not only advances plans to expand The Coffee Club into Asia and the Middle East but also assists expansion of brands such as Swensen's ice creams
into Australia. The first Thai store opened in December 2008, with the chain's first Chinese store opening near Hong Kong in June 2011.
In August 2010, John Lazarou visited Athens
for meetings with potential partners regarding the company’s plans for expansion into Greece
and further afield across Europe
.
In September 2011, The Coffee Club group acquired Australian steakhouse
chain Ribs And Rumps, which Drivas says is a family-friendly brand "appealing to the same customer base" as The Coffee Club.
program, promoting fair and sustainable coffee production.
In 2011, The Coffee Club joined the RSPCA's
"Choose Wisely" campaign, promoting 'humane' food production.
Coffeehouse
A coffeehouse or coffee shop is an establishment which primarily serves prepared coffee or other hot beverages. It shares some of the characteristics of a bar, and some of the characteristics of a restaurant, but it is different from a cafeteria. As the name suggests, coffeehouses focus on...
-style café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
chain. Originally created in 1989 as a place to get "an excellent coffee", the concept now includes cafébar/restaurant stores with expanded menus and full table service.
History
In 1989, friends Emmanuel Kokoris and Emmanuel Drivas were searching for a late-night cup of coffee. Their unsuccessful attempt led them to plan a new business venture: The Coffee Club.The first store opened on 2 November 1989 at Eagle Street Pier
Eagle Street Pier Ferry Wharf, Brisbane
Eagle Street Pier ferry wharf is a ferry wharf in the Brisbane CBD used by the CityFerry on the Brisbane River.In January 2011 the wharf sustained a moderate damage during the devastating floods; it was repaired and reopened on 14 February 2011....
in Brisbane (directly opposite the site of the successful World Expo 88), under the management of businessman and former hairdresser John Lazarou
John Lazarou
John Lazarou is an Australian businessman who is one of the owners of The Coffee Club chain of coffee shops. John is also a motivational speaker and is known for his philanthropic work....
. Lazarou also managed the next six stores that the company opened, before joining the Kokoris/Drivas partnership as a co-director.
In October 2007, Thai company Minor International
Minor International
Minor International is a hospitality company operating over 1,000 restaurants and 30 hotels in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions and Africa...
announced it would acquire a 50% stake in The Coffee Club. The move not only advances plans to expand The Coffee Club into Asia and the Middle East but also assists expansion of brands such as Swensen's ice creams
Swensen's
Swensen's is a global chain of ice cream restaurants that started in San Francisco, California.-History:The company was started in 1948 by Earle Swensen. Swensen opened his first shop at the corner of Union and Hyde Streets, along the cable car tracks in Russian Hill in San Francisco at what had...
into Australia. The first Thai store opened in December 2008, with the chain's first Chinese store opening near Hong Kong in June 2011.
In August 2010, John Lazarou visited Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
for meetings with potential partners regarding the company’s plans for expansion into Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and further afield across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
In September 2011, The Coffee Club group acquired Australian steakhouse
Steakhouse
A steakhouse is a restaurant that specializes in beef steaks. The same type of restaurant is also known as a chophouse.The steakhouse started in the USA in the late 19th century as a development of traditional inns and bars....
chain Ribs And Rumps, which Drivas says is a family-friendly brand "appealing to the same customer base" as The Coffee Club.
Responsible business practices
In 2009, The Coffee Club joined the UTZ CertificationUTZ Certified
UTZ CERTIFIED is a certification program for agricultural products launched in 2002 which claims to be the largest coffee certifier in the world. It was formerly known as Utz Kapeh. On the 7th of March, 2007, the Utz Kapeh Foundation officially changed its name and logo to UTZ CERTIFIED 'Good Inside'...
program, promoting fair and sustainable coffee production.
In 2011, The Coffee Club joined the RSPCA's
RSPCA Australia
RSPCA Australia is an Australian organisation that promotes animal welfare. It is funded in part by the Australian Government but relies on corporate sponsorship, fundraising events and voluntary donations for its income.RSPCA Australia defines its purpose as being the leading authority in animal...
"Choose Wisely" campaign, promoting 'humane' food production.