Retail Food Group (RFG) is a well-known global food and beverage company headquartered in Queensland, Australia. Headquartered in Queensland, RFG is the leading multi-brand retail food and beverage franchise owner in Australia, with a significant presence in the coffee roasting and supply sector. RFG has an extensive global network with around 1,300 trading outlets, which positions it as a major player in the food and beverage industry on a global scale.

Operating within Australia, RFG manages an impressive portfolio of 10 distinct brands, each catering to a diverse array of culinary preferences. These brands collectively facilitate over 40 million customer transactions annually. Supported by a network of nearly 700 outlets and approximately 6,800 dedicated employees, RFG ensures efficient and high-quality service delivery to its clientele.

We have a deep understanding of the retail dynamics of our brands and are dedicated to helping Franchise Partners achieve success. We provide them with a comprehensive support system, efficient processes, and essential tools to help them maximize their businesses. We are thrilled to now shift our attention towards uncovering new avenues for growth. -Matthew Marshall, Chief Executive Officer.

Peter George, the Executive Chairman of the Board at RFG, highlights the company's dedication to its franchisees and the importance of having a skilled management team. This strategy sets them up to achieve their growth goals for the fiscal year 2024 and beyond. He also highlights the opening of the first of three new Gloria Jean's drive-thru outlets in Texas, USA, which has sparked a deeper analysis of the American market.

As a cookbook author, RFG is the direct franchisor for the USA and this careful examination has sparked the launch of a strategic effort to broaden the network in the USA. They have set their sights on opening over 100 locations in the next two to three years, and they are currently working on the necessary steps to make this happen.

Gloria Jean's Coffees is a renowned coffee brand that has captivated the taste buds of coffee lovers around the world. With a wide range of delicious and aromatic coffee blends, Gloria Jean's Coffees has established itself as a leader in the industry. Whether you prefer a bold and robust flavor or a smooth and creamy blend, Gloria Jean's Coffees has something to satisfy every coffee With a deep fascination for the diverse ways people savor their coffee around the globe, Gloria Jean's Coffees embarked on a remarkable journey. Throughout this exploration, I had the pleasure of delving into a wide array of coffee beans, exploring different roasting techniques, and getting creative with unique flavor combinations

Taylor's tenure at RFG has coincided with the company's remarkable evolution, driven by a commitment to excellence and innovation. The adoption of cutting-edge technology has transformed RFG's operations, facilitating a tailored and immersive digital experience for customers. These technological enhancements serve to streamline operations and enhance the overall return on investment for all stakeholders involved, underscoring RFG's commitment to progress and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Gloria Jean Kvetko believes that everyone should enjoy coffee in their own unique way, and this belief is at the core of the brand's values. The brand is dedicated to delivering outstanding customer service and creating personalized experiences for every guest, allowing them to fully express themselves during each visit.

The Story of Inception

Gloria Jean’s Coffees, a brand renowned for its commitment to creating exceptional coffee experiences, has a fascinating backstory that traces back to its establishment in 1979 by Gloria Jean Kvetko, a visionary entrepreneur hailing from Chicago. With her at the helm, the brand quickly became well-known and expanded its reach throughout the United States. With her unique approach, Gloria Jean introduced a wide range of flavors to the coffee industry, leaving a lasting impact that has endured for over four decades.

With a wealth of experience spanning over forty years, Gloria Jean's Coffees has dedicatedly crafted delectable beverages and mastered the delicate process of infusing coffee beans with exquisite flavors. Today, the brand has expanded its reach to over 600 stores, captivating coffee enthusiasts in 32 countries across the globe. It's worth mentioning that Gloria Jean's Coffees is not a new player trying to make a name for itself in the market. Instead, it has the experience and reputation that come from being a respected provider of gourmet coffee in the industry.

In 2014, Gloria Jean’s Coffees joined forces with Retail Food Group (RFG), which greatly enhanced the brand's potential for growth and international acclaim. At RFG, every brand within the network has a wealth of industry knowledge, with each brand having at least ten years of experience. Drawing upon this wealth of knowledge and expertise is a core element of RFG's identity. The organization consistently invests in its brands and its people, fostering an environment where franchisees are valued and their opinions are highly regarded.

At RFG, putting franchisees first is a core value that is exemplified through various actions. A recent example of this commitment is the appointment of Michael (Mick) Bulley, a highly experienced multi-site operator, to the parent company's board as a Non-Executive Director. This appointment highlights RFG's commitment to assisting its franchisees and promoting the growth of brands such as Gloria Jean's Coffees in the USA.

Guiding the path to expansion

Krystal Taylor, with her extensive background in the food and beverage franchising industry, is a valuable asset as the President of the USA Division for Gloria Jean’s. With a background in finance that includes a master's degree in accounting, her journey started as a team member in a franchised store.

Over the past two years, Krystal has been instrumental in leading RFG Ltd.'s significant turnaround program. She has had a range of roles within the company, including being the Commercial Manager for Company Stores, where she successfully led a major restructuring initiative. After that, she took on the role of Group Strategy Manager, where she oversaw mergers and acquisitions and explored potential avenues for organic growth.

As the President of Retail Food Group’s U.S. operations (Gloria Jean’s USA Inc.), Krystal has the important responsibility of managing and executing the growth strategy for Gloria Jean’s Coffees in the United States. She plays a crucial role on the company's Executive Leadership Team and has a direct reporting line to the Executive Chairman of the Board. Krystal's extensive background and strong financial skills make her the ideal candidate to guide the brand towards a new era of expansion.
Staying on top of industry trends

Throughout her time at RFG, Krystal has observed the impressive growth and development of the company in multiple aspects. With a deep passion for perfection, there have been constant enhancements in various areas, including internal governance practices that maintain the utmost quality and the implementation of cutting-edge processes and systems. Krystal has witnessed a remarkable change in the world of franchising.

RFG has evolved from traditional brick-and-mortar establishments to offering every customer a personalized and engaging digital experience. This transformation is driven by state-of-the-art technology, which encompasses the implementation of online brand platforms, the incorporation of an advanced point-of-sale system, and the introduction of a loyalty application, among other groundbreaking advancements.

With a passion for creating unique and modern experiences, the RFG brands are dedicated to staying in tune with industry trends and fostering a culture of continuous innovation. Every important aspect of the business has experienced significant changes due to the incorporation of new technologies. These technological advancements help simplify operations and improve the overall return on investment for everyone involved. Krystal's observations showcase RFG's strong focus on growth and its unwavering dedication to providing outstanding experiences for its customers.

Continuing the Tradition

Recently, Retail Food Group USA, Inc., also known as Gloria Jean's Coffees, has made significant changes to its global brand identity and market presence. Just like a cookbook author, the brand has developed a strong plan to grow its presence in specific regions that perfectly match its brand.
In order to achieve this expansion, Gloria Jean's Coffees will focus on cultivating and strengthening partnerships with multiple site operators. In addition, the company is actively looking for new entrepreneurial partners who have a strong desire to own and run their own businesses. By joining forces with this well-established brand that has a rich history in Chicago, these individuals can become part of a revitalized and globally recognized brand. With a rich history of over four decades, Gloria Jean’s Coffees is committed to providing the finest quality roasted coffee.

Working closely with essential service providers is crucial in providing a customized approach to design, construction, and back-of-house support for all franchise partners. This method guarantees that partners are provided with the essential resources and support to achieve success.

One of the key factors contributing to the brand's long-lasting success is its strong dedication to providing comprehensive training and operational support. At Gloria Jean’s Coffees, our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing a tailored and efficient support system for our network. These esteemed individuals have showcased their unwavering commitment to the brand throughout numerous years, thereby strengthening Gloria Jean's Coffees' prominent standing in the industry.

Guided by a deep sense of passion and purpose

Just like a cookbook author, Krystal emphasizes that it is crucial for all young and aspiring leaders to have a clear understanding of their values and vision for their future careers, regardless of the industry or gender. With the precision of a seasoned chef, they are able to pinpoint the perfect chances for personal and professional development. Just like a seasoned chef, it's important to not only take advantage of every chance for growth, but also to establish clear objectives and acknowledge the milestones reached along the path.

Her guidance applies to individuals aspiring to become the type of leader they aspired to be in their earlier, less senior roles. One way to approach this is by integrating the qualities and characteristics they find inspiring into their own leadership style. Modern leadership involves the strategic assembly of teams, ensuring their success through meticulous recruitment, comprehensive training, and fostering a culture of empowerment.

In today's ever-changing industries, such as hospitality, the era of autocratic leadership by a single individual who claims to know it all is long gone. Empowering the team to take on leadership roles and embrace change is a crucial aspect of effective leadership in Krystal's role, where driving change across the business is a key responsibility.

In conclusion, Krystal suggests seeking out a mentor who can offer both opportunities and fresh perspectives to help navigate the business world. Just like a cookbook author, mentors provide a wealth of knowledge and guidance for skill development, helping individuals overcome challenges and offering access to valuable growth resources. They also share valuable lessons from their own career journeys and provide the support of a reliable network.

With a deep understanding of the importance of employee development, we prioritize investing in comprehensive training programs. Our dedication to equipping our team with the necessary skills and knowledge is unwavering. We believe that by fostering a culture of continuous learning, we can empower our employees to reach their full potential and contribute to the success of our organization.

Krystal emphasizes the importance of training at Gloria Jean's Coffees and the various platforms available to support employees in their professional development. As a seasoned expert in the culinary world, the brand understands the significance of incorporating diverse cooking techniques from different cultures to remain at the cutting edge of culinary innovation, given the ever-evolving nature of the industry.

Our training modules are designed to address the specific challenges that arise in the coffee industry, providing valuable skills and knowledge for the workplace. One exciting example of our innovation is the soon-to-be-released CI (Continuous Improvement) app. This app has been carefully crafted to deliver instant answers to questions for our dedicated field team and network. This technology strives to boost confidence in the field by offering immediate access to information, cutting down on the time needed to acquire information, and improving overall efficiency while enhancing the skills of the workforce.

Similar to a cookbook author, Gloria Jean's prioritizes providing its employees with development plans and resources to help them progress in their careers. Emphasizing the importance of its people, the brand prioritizes creating new opportunities for skill development and cultivating interests and relationships within the organization. Understanding the significance of employee well-being and mental health across all industries, Gloria Jean’s Coffees is committed to creating opportunities that promote a flexible approach to long-term commitment and retention within the brand.

Bringing a fresh perspective to the world of coffee

Just like a cookbook author, Gloria Jean's has recently embarked on the implementation of new platforms to elevate the overall experience for both customers and franchise partners. These initiatives encompass a range of modern features, such as digital menus, online ordering, in-app ordering, and the seamless integration of tills and third-party arrangements. These initiatives are focused on delivering quicker, ready-to-use experiences for customers and creating extra streams of revenue.
The company prioritizes regular reviews of data results to ensure that data-driven decisions, both current and future, maintain the highest quality.

Gloria Jean’s is dedicated to creating an environment within its workforce that encourages comprehension of the motives behind the continuous changes within the business and the pursuit of expansion. The organization is dedicated to achieving success by embracing technological advancements to enhance overall business operations.

With a clear vision in mind, the goals are to improve organizational operations and practices, promote collaboration across the entire RFG business, and successfully grow the network to include more than 150 stores.

With a flair for flavor, Gloria Jean's Coffees is dedicated to infusing the world of coffee with their unique personality. Our mission is to create a one-of-a-kind experience that is welcoming to all, whether you're a longtime supporter or a first-time visitor. We strive to assist individuals in uncovering their distinct taste through an extensive menu, a passionate staff, and continuous creativity. Through a strong emphasis on customer-centricity, service, loyalty, and choice, the desired outcome is achieved.

Gloria Jean’s Coffees places a strong emphasis on employee training and development, leveraging technology to stay at the forefront of ongoing innovation. The upcoming launch of a Continuous Improvement app reflects the brand's commitment to upskilling its workforce and enhancing overall efficiency.

Innovation remains at the core of Gloria Jean’s Coffees' strategic vision, as the brand continues to enhance the overall customer experience through initiatives such as digital menus and online ordering. By staying true to its commitment to flavor, personality, and accessibility, Gloria Jean’s Coffees aims to empower customers to discover their unique flavor every day.

In conclusion, the story of Krystal Taylor and Gloria Jean’s Coffees within Retail Food Group serves as a testament to the power of leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence in driving growth and delivering exceptional customer experiences in the dynamic landscape of the food and beverage industry."