The Rockhampton region will play home to a second Zarraffa’s Coffee location with the opening of its 79th store in Gracemere on 7 April, bringing the company’s innovative Drive Thru model to Central Queensland.
This expansion marks another milestone for the proudly Australian-owned and operated specialty coffee company as it continues to grow its presence in the state and brings its “much-loved cup” to coffee-loving communities.
Zarraffa’s Gracemere will be operated by franchisees Madyson McCall and her partner Lachlan Beirne as part of Zarraffa’s Manager Program – a structured pathway designed to support existing managers in the group with the opportunity to own their own store.
The program allows for a lower initial investment with support from financial institutions and the franchisor, who can provide greater lending capacity, while also supporting the impending franchisee with the business acumen side of owning their own store.
Prior to applying for the Manager Program and embarking on the journey of becoming a franchisee, Ms McCall worked as a store manager for over four years at the Caloundra and Currimundi stores on the Sunshine Coast and holds a QSR and hospitality background.
While Mr Beirne is trading in his tools to tamp coffee after working in the mines and plastering for the past 16 years, he has been rigorously trained in store by Ms Mcall in the lead up to this new business venture.
“As soon as I found out about the Manager Program, I was quick to act and applied the very next day. I knew I wanted to take the leap, and this incredible opportunity was a way I could realise the dream of owning my own store, and get to do it alongside Lachlan,” said Ms McCall.
“To me, this is a forever job and one I am so excited and passionate about as I love the culture of the Zarraffa’s brand. I was inspired by my mentors and the Franchisees of the stores at which I worked. They have allowed me to learn and grow over the years and I am so grateful for this opportunity thanks to their support.”
Gracemere is the eighth established site set to open as one of Zarraffa’s newest drive thru model evolutions, which has been thoughtfully designed with a smaller footprint to a traditional store.
It allows the brand the opportunity to be nimbler with site selection while still prioritising added convenience for busy customers and offers the full food and beverage menu without compromising on quality.
The model has evolved since its inception in 2023 and differs to a full Zarraffa’s store layout which typically features an internal cafe seating area. Predominantly servicing customers through its drive thru, the model now features a walk-up window and outdoor seating area for those who prefer to take some time out to sit back and relax with their coffee.
“As a brand, we’re constantly reviewing market demands and customer trends to align with our strategic growth strategy and this drive thru evolution supports our plans to expand into untraditional locations, as well as regional and untapped markets,” says Zarraffa’s Coffee CEO Marnie Sheldon.
“This newest iteration of the model has been a huge success, so far making up just over 10 per cent of the brand’s footprint across the country with a pipeline of new sites set to open as part of our expansion plans in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“Madyson is an exceptional brand ambassador, and in fact, won our Game Changer Award at the brand’s Manager’s Conference in 2023. Alongside Lachlan, they have packed up their lives and moved their small family up north, showing their commitment to the brand and what it means to be a Zarraffa’s Coffee Franchisee.
“With their passion for coffee, customer service and community, we’re excited to see their growth continue with the opening of Zarraffa’s Gracemere and are confident that they will make a significant impact on the Rockhampton region,” said Ms Sheldon.
The Gracemere store will feature Zarraffa’s renowned range of signature coffee blends, along with a selection of delicious food options, including fresh pastries, breakfast items, and savoury snacks to complement the coffee experience.
The new location will create approximately 30 additional jobs in the area through a dedicated recruitment and training program, contributing to the local economy and providing opportunities for locals.
“Lachlan and I are grateful for the opportunity to be introduced to the close-nit Gracemere community, and that we get to do it together with our children. We look forward to creating meaningful connections with locals and welcoming everyone to our new store as we get to know our regulars over the coming weeks and months,” said Ms McCall.
Zarraffa’s strategic growth strategy is currently in play, with the Aussie-owned speciality coffee company scouting locations across the country as it sets its sights on expanding to over 200 sites nationally over the next seven years in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics held in Brisbane, Queensland.
Leading the way in retail coffee innovation, Zarraffa’s Coffee developed its popular drive thru store concept in 2009 with the opening of its Worongary location, then went on to launch the brand’s first iteration of its drive thru evolution in Beaudesert in 2023.
Zarraffa’s Coffee Gracemere is located at 3 John Street, Gracemere Queensland 4702.
Opening hours are 4:30am-8pm, seven days a week.
