Velecia Antonarakis

If it wasn’t for an appetite for coffee it may never have happened! In 1989, Brisbane City, founders Emmanuel Kokoris and Emmanuel Drivas cruised Brisbane late one night in search of a decent coffee, and came up empty handed. This disappointing experience inspired them to seize the opportunity, so they formulated a plan to take the world by storm – a coffee storm – now affectionately known as The Coffee Club. Their lightning bolt idea was to create more than just somewhere for people to meet for coffee; it would be more casual, comfortable yet sophisticated, stylish yet affordable. This untapped need in the Australian hospitality market was all about to change. Stepping onto the scene in 1990, flamboyant new director John Lazarou spearheaded a targeted marketing plan aimed at putting The Coffee Club front and centre for the world to see. The brand grew exponentially, focused on not only providing a great place to meet, but to be a brand that contributes to and involves the Australian community, year after year. Since opening its doors in Brisbane in 1989, The Coffee Club has become Australia’s largest home-grown café group with approximately 400 stores throughout 9 countries, with upwards of 40 million dedicated customers. Our mission and philosophy is simple, at The Coffee Club we want to provide: Good Food, Great Service and Excellent Coffee, in welcoming, relaxing surrounds, a place to enrich contemporary lifestyles, and most of all, to be the natural response to “Where will I meet you?”