In 1989, founding directors Emmanuel Kokoris and Emmanuel Drivas were out searching for a late night cup of coffee - and not just any coffee, an excellent Coffee. After an unsuccessful journey and hours of chatting, the pair planned a new business venture: The Coffee Club.
Their idea was to create more than just a place where people could meet for coffee; it was to provide a relaxed meeting place that is casual yet sophisticated, stylish yet affordable. In short, their plan was to meet an untapped need in the Australian hospitality market.
With the help of a new Director in 1990 - the flamboyant John Lazarou - awareness of The Coffee Club not only grew exponentially, but became a much loved brand focused on not only providing a great place to meet, but a brand that contributes to and involves the Australian community year after year.
| 1989 | First cafe opened at Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane. |
| 1993 | First cafe outside of Brisbane opened - Australia fair, Gold Coast. |
| 1994 | First restaurant & licensed venue opened in West End, Brisbane. Began franchising in Australia. |
| 1995 | First cafe outside of QLD opened at Port Macquarie NSW. |
| 1999 | The Coffee Club Australia celebrated its 10th Birthday. |
| 2000 | Appointment of first CEO, Rod Wakefield. 50th cafe opened in Australia. |
| 2004 | 100th cafe opened in Australia. |
| 2005 | First cafe opened in North Island, New Zealand (Queensgate, Lower Hutt). |
| 2006 | Began franchising in New Zealand. First cafe opened in South Island, New Zealand. Named Best Cafe Franchise by Australian Financial Review Magazine.  |
| 2007 | Minor International bought 50% share of The Coffee Club International. 10th cafe opened in New Zealand. |
| 2008 | 200th cafe opened internationally. 20th cafe opened in New Zealand. First cafe opened in Thailand. The Coffee Club Australia wins Franchisor of the Year in the Australian Franchise Awards. |
| 2009 | The Coffee Club NZ wins Food & Beverage Franchisee of the Year in the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2009. UTZ Certified Sustainable Coffee introduced in all cafes. |
| 2010 | The Coffee Club New Zealand celebrated 5th birthday. |
| 2011 | First national promotion on TV in Australia and New Zealand. 30th cafe opened in New Zealand. The Coffee Club NZ wins Food & Beverage Franchise System of the Year in the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2011.  |
| 2012 | First cafe opened in Egypt. 300th cafe opened internationally. The Coffee Club NZ wins Supreme Franchise System of the Year and Supreme Franchisee in the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2012.  |
| 2013 | 40th cafe opened in New Zealand. New store design launched. First cafe opened in Maldives. The Coffee Club NZ wins Supreme Franchise System of the Year and Supreme Franchisee in the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2013.  |
| 2014 | 50th cafe opened in New Zealand. First cafes opened in Indonesia and UAE. The Coffee Club Australia celebrated 25th Birthday. The Coffee Club NZ wins Food & Beverage Franchise System of the Year and Supreme Franchisee in the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2014. |
| 2015 2016 2017 2018 |
The Coffee Club New Zealand celebrates 10th birthday. 60th cafe opened in New Zealand. 400th cafe opened internationally. The Coffee Club NZ wins Media Campaign of the Year (Gourmet Brioche Burgers) in the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2016. First cafe opened in Seychelles. The Coffee Club NZ wins Food & Beverage Franchise System of the Year in the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2017.  First cafe opened in Qatar and China 50th cafe opened in Thailand 20th cafe opened in UAE The Coffee Club NZ wins Gold for Coffee Shops & Cafes at the Reader's Digest Quality Service Awards |