20 Years of The Coffee Club
This week, The Coffee Club New Zealand is celebrating a special milestone: 20 years of Good Food, Great Service and Excellent Coffee. From our very first café in 2005 to a nationwide group of more than 65 cafés and restaurants today, The Coffee Club has grown into a favourite meeting place for millions of Kiwis. Over the past two decades, we’ve shared countless coffees, conversations, and moments with our customers, and we’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from communities across Aotearoa. Here’s to celebrating 20 years of connection, comfort, and great experiences — and to many more ahead.
A brief history
The Coffee Club story began in 1989, when founding directors Emmanuel Kokoris and Emmanuel Drivas set out to create more than just a place to grab a coffee—they wanted a relaxed, welcoming meeting place that felt both casual and sophisticated. From that single store at Brisbane’s Eagle Street Pier, The Coffee Club has grown to more than 400 outlets internationally, employing over 10,000 team members and serving tens of millions of coffees annually across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the Middle East, the Maldives, the Seychelles and South East Asia.
20 years of The Coffee Club NZ
Since the opening of its first New Zealand café in Queensgate, Lower Hutt in 2005, The Coffee Club has blossomed into a beloved part of New Zealand’s café culture. Boasting over 65 cafés nationwide featuring both café-style and fully licensed restaurants, all centred around our signature blend of Excellent Coffee and a comprehensive all-day menu.
The Coffee Club is also privileged to be able to give back to the communities that have supported it over the years. Through a range of sponsorships and partnerships, The Coffee Club New Zealand is proud to support local groups, events, and charities that aim to enrich and educate our community. This includes long-standing partnerships with a variety of charities such as KidsCan, helping to raise much needed funds to provide essential resources to children in need, and SPCA, supporting animal welfare and promoting sustainable practices.
The Coffee Club also partners with Make-A-Wish to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, as well as Pet Refuge, offering support to families fleeing domestic violence.
In addition to these key partnerships, The Coffee Club is proud to sponsor a variety of local initiatives that encourage healthy and active lifestyles. By actively engaging with community-driven programs, The Coffee Club continues to foster a spirit of connection and care, making a meaningful impact across New Zealand.
Award winning commitment to excellence
Across two decades, The Coffee Club New Zealand has been consistently recognised at the New Zealand Franchise Awards, including Food & Beverage Best Franchise System, Supreme Franchise System, Retail & Hospitality Franchise System of the Year, and Excellence in Community Contribution. Internationally, The Coffee Club New Zealand has also been named International Market of the Year and awarded The Coffee Club International Barista of the Year title, reflecting a deep commitment to quality, community contribution, innovation, training and customer experience.
Looking ahead
As The Coffee Club New Zealand celebrates its 20th birthday this Sunday 30 November, the focus remains firmly on delivering Good Food, Great Service & Excellent Coffee, as well as continuing to innovate, support communities, and create a welcoming relaxed meeting place where people can connect—and of course, be the answer to “Where will I meet you?”
With ongoing investment in new stores and designs, new features like table ordering, and continual menu development, there has never been a better time to visit your local The Coffee Club and be part of the next chapter of our story.
