Retail Food Group
Retail food franchising
One of Australia's largest retail food brand managers, franchisors and wholesale coffee roasters. RFG owns the Donut King, Brumby's Bakery, Michel's Patisserie, bb's cafe, Esquires, The Coffee Guy, Pizza Capers Gourmet Kitchen and Crust Gourmet Pizza franchise systems. Acquired Cafe2U and Gloria Jeans in 2014.

Overall

Owned AUS
Rating C
About the Ratings
Retail Food Group Ltd
AUS

Company Assessment

(Last updated Jun 2024)
Retail Food Group Ltd
Praise
3/5 for packaging performance
This company received a packaging performance level of 3 (Advanced) in its 2024 APCO Annual Report. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Each year, APCO Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and Action Plan, which includes an overall performance level from 1 (Getting Started) to 5 (Beyond Best Practice).
Source: APCO (2024)
Tax Hero in Australia
Between 2015 and 2018 this company paid $57.2 million tax on a total income of $640 million, earning the number 32 spot on Michael West's Top 40 Tax Heroes 2020. West calculated which of Australia's largest companies have paid the highest tax rates using three years of tax transparency data published by the Australian Tax Office.
Criticism
Unconscionable conduct settlement
In Dec 2022 ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from this company, who agreed to make payments to and waive historical debts of a number of affected current and former franchisees, in relation to the purchase of certain corporate stores by these franchisees. RFG will also pay $5 million to franchisees of Michel Patisserie stores who paid levies into that franchise's marketing fund between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2017. As a consequence, the parties have agreed to settle the proceedings which the ACCC commenced against RFG in December 2020, in relation to alleged unconscionable conduct and false and misleading representations made in its dealings with franchisees.
Source: ACCC (2022)
Information
Carbon tax price rise suggestion
In July 2012 the Retail Food Group was forced to issue a prompt apology after its managing director, Deane Priest - who has since resigned - wrote to Brumby's franchisees suggesting they lift their prices and 'let the carbon tax take the blame'. Brumby's escaped a hefty fine when the ACCC accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Retail Food Group that it would not engage in similar conduct in the future.
Pending class action
A third law firm is preparing to launch a class action against this company for its failure to disclose troubles within its franchise network. Retail Food Group's market value more than halved in December 2017 when media reports of mistreatment of franchisees were first published.
Class action settlement
In 2024 this company entered into a binding deed to settle the class action filed by some of its former franchisees. The settlement involves a dismissal of the proceeding by the applicant without RFG making any admission or payment. However, as part of the agreement, RFG will release applicable members of the class action from historical debts alleged in the proceeding.
No tax paid in 2018-19
According to data released by the Australian Tax Office in Jan 2021, this company was one of many local and foreign-based companies that paid no tax in Australia in 2018-19. Please note however that companies pay income tax on profits, not revenue (total income). While some companies use tax havens and loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of tax in Australia, other companies that paid no tax have perfectly legitimate reasons.
Source: ATO (2022)
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Company Details

Type:
Public company
Revenue:
168 million AUD (2019)
Employees:
15,000 (2019)
Subsidiaries:
Di Bella Coffee Supply Holdings Pty Ltd
Coffee
Established in 2002 and owned by Retail Food Group since 2014.
Gloria Jean's Coffees International Pty Ltd
Coffee retailer
Over 800 stores in 39 countries (470 stores in Australia), mostly franchises. Previously owned and run by senior members of the Hillsong Church in Australia, who are still involved in the running of the company. Acquired by Retail Food Group in Oct 2014.
Brumby's Bakeries Ltd
Bakery retail
Founded in 1975, today there are 300 stores throughout Australia and New Zealand. Most are franchised. Acquired by ASX listed Retail Food Group in 2007.

Contact Details

Address:
Level 4, 35 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
Phone:
07 5591 3242
Website:
www.rfg.com.au

Products / Brands

Di Bella Coffee
Cafe Palazzo Coffee
★ some products Rainforest Alliance certified
Di Bella Coffee
Gloria Jean's
Gloria Jeans Coffee
★ some products Rainforest Alliance certified
Brumby's
Brumby's Bread