From hospitality novices to The Coffee Club award winners.
Franchise New Zealand Feature
From hospitality novices to The Coffee Club award winners.
Franchise New Zealand Feature
Despite post-Covid economic gloom of 2023, this was an opportunity Rakesh and Nuti Patel could not turn down. The Coffee Club, Tauranga Crossing, had come on the market at an investment cost that met their bank’s approval.
“Covid had really got us thinking about going into business for ourselves. Especially after 13 years working for a Tauranga manufacturing company, when the owner told me he wanted to sell and couldn’t give any assurances of ongoing employment,” explains Rakesh.
“Appreciating that this was not the right time to start a business entirely on our own, our focus was franchise opportunities. Even though we had no preference about what sort of franchise, The Coffee Club began emerging as a contender. It helped that I enjoy cooking, and Nuti had food outlet experience from working in a Toronto Taco Bell outlet.”
The New Zealand business has been led throughout by master franchisees Brad Jacobs and Andy Lucas, who brought the Australian-born brand to local shores and shaped it for Kiwi customers. Their focus has been clear from the outset: deliver a reliable, welcoming café experience built on good food, great service and excellent coffee, while equipping franchisees with the systems, training and support needed to build sustainable local businesses.
That approach has delivered impressive results. The Coffee Club has expanded across major centres and regional communities alike, becoming a familiar meeting place for families, businesspeople, shoppers and travellers. Its model has also helped many franchisees become long-term operators, with many growing into multi-site owners.
The Coffee Club’s success has been widely recognised within the franchising sector, making it New Zealand’s most awarded café franchise systems. Over the years it has built an impressive record at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards and the New Zealand Franchise Awards, with honours including Food & Beverage Franchise System awards, Supreme Franchise System recognition, Retail & Hospitality Franchise System of the Year, and awards celebrating its contribution to local communities. These accolades reflect not only the strength of the brand, but also the calibre of its systems, franchisee support and customer experience.
After 20 years in New Zealand, The Coffee Club’s story is one of disciplined growth, strong leadership and lasting relevance. Under Brad Jacobs and Andy Lucas, the company has successfully combined the scale of an international franchise with the local ownership and community focus that New Zealand customers value. Brad Jacobs reflects on their 20 years, “We’re proud to have built New Zealand’s most recognised and trusted café brand over the last 20 years, and we’re excited to continue that journey for the next 20 years and beyond”. And you would have to agree, looking ahead, The Coffee Club is well placed to continue as a trusted café destination and a standout example of franchise success in New Zealand.
Ethical, environmental and social values
“The more we looked into The Coffee Club, the more impressed we became with New Zealand’s largest, most recognised and most awarded café brand. Looking beyond The Coffee Club commitment to good food, great service, excellent coffee, we were struck by the company’s ethical, environmental and social values,” Rakesh says.
“On top of encouraging franchisees to support their local communities through school sports and other sponsorships, The Coffee Club donates $100,000 to organisations such as
KidsCan, SPCA, Make-a-Wish and Pet Refuge, annually. Another plus was that New Zealand franchisor co-directors Brad Jacobs and Andy Lucas had signed the Pride Pledge on behalf of franchisees to celebrate the diverse workforce and importance of representation.
“Sustainability is also a big commitment. For example, The Coffee Club Signature Blend beans are sourced directly from farmers and roasted in a machine that uses 25% less gas than traditional roasters. All cups, lids and straws are compostable and biodegradable.”
Award-winning couple
At The Coffee Club Franchisee Awards 2025 in Auckland, this business strategy clearly contributed to the Patels receiving the 2024 Operations Excellence Award and Rakesh winning the 2024 Chef of the Year.
Another of the couple’s operational rules is providing family time for their two daughters, Tasha (19), Keisha (14) and son, Tej (13). “We’ve made it a rule to never bring work home and that also means not answering phone calls after hours.”
Rakesh and Nuti estimate their customer base sits at around 40% regulars, with the balance coming from drop-ins; many being tradies, sales reps and Tauranga Crossing shoppers.
Open seven days a week from 7am to 4pm, the café provides local employment for four full time staff and three part-timers.
“To show just how much we support The Coffee Club, our ambition is to purchase the two Tauranga cafés we once could not afford.”
