Minor DKL Food Group Welcomes Richard Hinson as CEO - Signals a New Era for The Coffee Club

• Veteran leader acclaimed for transforming service and operations across the retail, food distribution, and franchise sectors.

• Dedicated to strengthening franchise partnerships and embedding a customer-first culture to elevate guest experience.

• Renowned for delivering sustainable, commercially sound outcomes.

Tuesday, 7 October 2025: Minor DKL Food Group - owner of The Coffee Club - today announced Richard Hinson as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A veteran executive with extensive experience driving operational excellence and service transformations across Australia’s food, retail, and franchising sectors, Mr Hinson will strengthen franchise partnerships across The Coffee Club network, elevate service standards, and champion a customer experience-first culture to define the next chapter of Australia’s most iconic coffee brand.

Mr Hinson has led major transformation programs and operational best practice across diverse businesses, including a large independent petrol and convenience company, leading national food and beverage wholesale and distribution networks, and prominent multi-brand retail and franchise groups. His experience extends across complex supply chains, high-volume consumer retail, and multi-site hospitality, where he is credited with fostering supportive cultures and pioneering customer-centric initiatives. Renowned for his service leadership and unwavering partner-first approach, Mr Hinson consistently prioritises franchisee success and collaborative stakeholder relationships. At Retail Food Group, he implemented a strategic turnaround program focused on simplifying operations, revitalising franchisee relationships and enhancing profitability across more than 1,000 outlets nationally. At Countrywide, he played a key role in elevating the company to the top rank among Australia’s leading foodservice distributors, exemplifying his ability to deliver market-leading outcomes.

“I’m thrilled to join Minor DKL at such an exciting time for The Coffee Club – a moment of renewal for Australia’s most iconic coffee brand,” Mr Hinson said.

“At the heart of every great café is the people – our Franchise Partners, their teams, and the customers who make The Coffee Club part of their daily ritual. I’m committed to strengthening those partnerships, building a culture centred on collaboration and innovation, where Franchise Partners thrive and every customer experience is personalised and memorable. This is how we will continue to build a café network that Australians love and trust for generations to come.”

As The Coffee Club embarks on its next chapter, Mr Hinson will focus on renewing and deepening franchise collaboration, driving operational efficiencies that empower teams, strengthening the brand’s unique culture, and elevating the customer experience. 

Another key area of focus is the launch of the new Three Stories Café brand, and store rollout. The first ‘grab & go’ format opened recently at the Mobo corporate building in Tribune Street, South Brisbane, and is proving popular with local office workers for a morning coffee, a quick lunch, and an afternoon treat. The café features the same Three Stories coffee blend as The Coffee Club, with all food offerings pre-prepped and packaged for speed and convenience. The new model, which can also service office catering, is a key growth opportunity for Minor DKL.

About Minor DKL Food GroupMinor DKL is a leading Australian retail food franchisor, and parent company of The Coffee Club and Veneziano Coffee Roasters. The company operates over 350 cafés and restaurants across 13 countries. Minor DKL is the Australian subsidiary of Thai-listed Minor International PCL (MINT), a global company operating restaurants, hotels, and lifestyle brands across more than 20 countries. For more information, visit www.minordkl.com.au. 

About The Coffee Club Established in 1989, The Coffee Club has been a beloved destination for coffee enthusiasts and casual diners alike and has since become Australia’s largest home-grown café group with approximately 400 stores throughout 13 countries, with upwards of 40 million dedicated customers. For more information visit www.coffeeclub.com.au.

Media Enquiries: Sass Communications Director, Rachel Lebihan | rachel@sasscomms.com.au.