Regional Stores Take Top Billing for National Awards

The experienced team from Zarraffa’s Coffee Warwick were last night crowned 2018 Franchisee of the Year at the National Franchise Conference.

Staged on the Gold Coast at RACV Royal Pines Resort, Zarraffa’s Golden Zee Awards recognised the top performers across the almost 90-strong, Australian-owned and operated franchise group.

Accepting the top gong was mother and daughter duo, Tracey Slater and Danielle Cook, whose record of excellence was affirmed by their previous win back in 2016.

Zarraffa’s Coffee Managing Director, Kenton Campbell, believes it is both Danielle and Tracey’s passion for what they do that produces such consistently great results.

“These women have worked hard to build a following through repeatedly great service and a strong staff culture. It’s hard to fault their love of what they do, and the proof is definitely in the coffee!”

The Award recognises excellence in business and the Warwick team beat out a large number of stores, proving that coffee culture is alive and well in regional areas.

“It’s a great validation of the universal love of coffee and the way that we craft it for our customers,” said Kenton. “We are looking at widespread expansion in regional NSW and Queensland areas and know that people across the country have a love of a well-made beverage.”

The duo who opened their store in 2011, made the decision to relocate back to Warwick to open what was then the company’s 5th drive thru location.

“We have six generations of family in the vicinity and love what we do,” said Danielle.

The team enjoy an easy partnership that has been the lynchpin of their success, as it’s not every mother/ daughter relationship that can create a prosperous business.

“We are both used to working hard and long hours and, when we set out on this journey with Zarraffa’s, we came to the decision that if we were going to be doing the hard yards we’d much prefer to do it for ourselves. It’s been an incredible ride so far.”

The Darling Downs produced another win on the night with the Toowoomba North store named Rookie of the Year.

For the second year running Franchisees, former store manager Ashley Byers and Jordan Wyborn, have taken out the Rookie of the Year Award for exceptional performance.

“The boys are excellent operators and exemplify the pathway from store manager to Franchisee ownership in our company,” said Kenton. “The just keep improving year on year.”

The full list of 2018 Award recipients:

Franchisee of the Year

Zarraffa’s Coffee Warwick – Tracey Slater and Danielle Cook

Store of the Year

Zarraffa’s Coffee Ormeau

Rookie of the Year (6-18 months trading)

Zarraffa’s Coffee Toowoomba North

CEO Encouragement Award

Zarraffa’s Coffee Belmont North

Brand Ambassador Award – Franchisee

Denise Fioretti, Zarraffa’s Coffee Mango Hill and Carseldine

Brand Ambassador Award – Management