Franchisee hunt starts as Zarraffa’s Coffee takes One for the Road

Queensland-based coffee franchise Zarraffa’s Coffee will seek out franchisees for the five drive-thru sites of One for the Road, a WA specialty coffee chain that has been purchased by the company.

Zarraffa’s Coffee, which operates 52 traditional and drive-thru coffee stores on the east coast, has purchased One for the Road – and its five drive-thru sites – for an undisclosed sum.

Scott Paterson, who launched One for the Road in 2006, sought out Zarraffa’s Coffee after he and his wife decided to sell the business, believing they had taken the brand as far as they could.

Paterson says while it will be sad to move on from the business, he is confident Zarraffa’s Coffee is the right fit for it.

“I had made several trips to Queensland over the past three years and was familiar with the Zarraffa’s operation and coffee. I always saw the brands as very similar,” Paterson says.

“One for the Road was at a stage where it needed massive footprints, and a [higher] level of drive and experience.”

“Coming from Queensland, Zarraffa’s Coffee understands the West Australian palate. With similar climates and lifestyles, I don’t see that anything needs to be changed.”

Zarraffa’s Coffee chief executive Kenton Campbell says his company will spend time operating the One for the Road sites before they are rebranded as Zarraffa’s Coffee.

The acquisition will see the five WA sites – in Currambine, Ellenbrook, Peppermint Grove, Canning Vale and Kalgoorlie – initially run as corporate stores.

“Eventually we will seek out franchisees for the sites,” Campbell says.

“But our commitment is to understand the market, transition our products and services to the stores, and deliver exceptional, convenient coffee to each locale.”

According to Campbell, Zarraffa’s Coffee will work “side by side” with the One for the Road team in order to learn from each business and familiarise themselves with the local market.

“Later in the year, we will look to transition the stores to our branding and operation,” he says.

Critical to the expansion plans is the retention of the One for the Road staff, Campbell says, with an agreement from both sides that all staff retain their jobs in the transition and beyond.

“I could see how important the staff was to Scott and I had no hesitation in making assurances that employment would be offered to the entire team from the get-go,” Campbell says.

According to Campbell, the expansion into WA has come at an ideal time for the company.

“I started the company in 1996 with a $9,000 personal loan and with an idea for one store on the Gold Coast,” he says.

“Here I am today at the start of a whole new relationship with coffee lovers on the other side of the country.”

“Our entire team is excited and we plan to spend the time getting things right, winning over new customers, sharing our coffee and establishing the brand in the west.”

In addition to its expansion into WA, Zarraffa’s Coffee is focused on further expansion across the eastern seaboard, with at least eight stores set to open in Queensland and NSW.

“We have been building up to readiness for interstate expansion for a number of years, ensuring our existing franchisees are supported,” Campbell says.

“We are not interested in opening hundreds of stores if they can’t all be sustainable.”