Retail Food Group
An Australian food retail and franchising group operating bakery, coffee, pizza, quick-service food and mobile-coffee brands.
Last updated October 18, 2026
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Overview
Retail Food Group Limited, commonly known as RFG, is an Australian food retail and franchising company based in Robina, Queensland. Its business is organized around the ownership, development, franchising and support of food-service brand systems rather than around a single consumer-facing chain. The portfolio has included bakery, doughnut, coffee, pizza, pie, barbecue and mobile-coffee concepts, giving the group exposure to several segments of Australia's quick-service and convenience-food market. RFG traces its operating history to 1989 and was incorporated in 2003 as a holding structure for a number of expanding franchise systems. A central part of its model has been to provide franchisees with brand identity, store formats, product systems, marketing, procurement and operational support. The group has also roasted and supplied coffee to parts of its network, allowing it to combine franchising income with supply-chain and product activities. The company's portfolio has included well-known Australian brands such as Donut King, Brumby's Bakeries, Gloria Jean's Coffees, Crust Pizza, Pizza Capers, Di Bella Coffee, Café2U and The Coffee Guy. RFG expanded through a series of acquisitions and franchise-rights transactions. It bought the franchising rights and intellectual property of Big Dad's Pies in 2010, obtained the Australian and New Zealand master franchise licence for Esquires Coffee House in 2011, and acquired Pizza Capers and Crust Pizza in 2012. It later acquired The Coffee Guy in 2014 and Gloria Jean's Coffees in the same year for A$163.5 million. Some proposed transactions did not proceed, including the planned acquisition of La Porchetta's franchising system, announced in 2014 and abandoned several months later. RFG's portfolio has changed over time. Big Dad's Pies and Esquires are identified as former brands, while newer additions have included Beefy's Pies and Cibo Espresso. In November 2023, RFG agreed to acquire Beefy's Pies for A$10 million, and in November 2024 it acquired Cibo Espresso from Retail Zoo for A$2.7 million. In February 2025, the group acquired the Australian master franchise for Firehouse Subs. It also announced in February 2025 that it would discontinue Michel's Patisserie, a bakery brand that had been part of the group. The company became the subject of substantial public and regulatory scrutiny concerning its franchise practices. A 2017 investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald reported that many franchisees had suffered severe financial harm after investing in RFG systems. In 2022, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission succeeded in civil proceedings against RFG. The resulting settlement provided repayments and debt erasures totaling A$10 million for Michel's Patisserie and Gloria Jean's franchisees, in connection with allegations concerning marketing expenses and the sale of stores that were represented as viable. These events materially shaped the public discussion around RFG's governance, franchisor responsibilities and the risks of buying into food franchises. RFG remains an ASX-listed company whose operations are principally associated with Australia and New Zealand. Its brand-house strategy, acquisition activity and franchise-support infrastructure are the defining features of the business, while its history also illustrates the financial and regulatory pressures that can arise in large multi-brand franchise networks.
History
Retail Food Group began in 1989 and was incorporated as a holding company in 2003 to bring several expanding food franchise systems under a common corporate structure. The group developed a model based on acquiring or controlling franchise brands, recruiting franchisees, supplying products and systems, and supporting stores through marketing and operations. Coffee roasting and supply became an additional part of the model, linking the group's retail network with an internal or group-associated supply capability. The company expanded its portfolio through a sequence of acquisitions and master-franchise arrangements. In April 2010, it purchased the franchising rights and intellectual property for Big Dad's Pies, a Queensland-based pie chain. In February 2011, it obtained the Australian and New Zealand master franchise licence for Esquires Coffee House. In 2012, it acquired Pizza Capers Gourmet Kitchen, then reported as having 118 stores, and Crust Pizza, then reported as having 119 stores. These transactions strengthened RFG's presence in takeaway meals and pizza while broadening its multi-brand platform. RFG continued its coffee expansion in 2014 by acquiring The Coffee Guy brand system in November. Earlier that year, it had announced a proposed A$16.3 million purchase of La Porchetta's franchising system, but the company withdrew from the transaction three months later. In October 2014, RFG completed one of its most significant acquisitions by purchasing Gloria Jean's Coffees for A$163.5 million. Gloria Jean's gave the group a large branded coffee network in Australia and an international franchise presence. The group has operated a changing portfolio rather than retaining every acquired system permanently. Big Dad's Pies and Esquires Coffee House are listed as former brands. The active portfolio has included Brumby's Bakeries, Donut King, Gloria Jean's Coffees, Crust Pizza, Pizza Capers, Di Bella Coffee, Café2U, The Coffee Guy and Rack 'em Bones BBQ Ribs. Beefy's Pies joined the portfolio through an agreement announced in November 2023. In November 2024, RFG acquired Cibo Espresso from Retail Zoo for A$2.7 million. In February 2025, it acquired the Australian master franchise for Firehouse Subs and separately announced that Michel's Patisserie would be discontinued. RFG's growth and franchise model also generated controversy. A 2017 Sydney Morning Herald investigation described severe financial consequences for many franchisees who had invested in the group's brands. The dispute became part of a wider Australian debate about franchisor disclosure, store economics and the allocation of marketing and other charges. In December 2022, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission won a civil court case against RFG. A settlement associated with the case provided A$10 million in repayments and debt erasures for Michel's Patisserie and Gloria Jean's franchisees. The allegations related to the treatment of marketing expenses and the sale of stores said to be loss-making. These developments placed RFG's governance and franchise-support practices under heightened scrutiny. RFG is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker RFG. Its headquarters are in Robina, Queensland, and its principal operating footprint is in Australia and New Zealand. The company is best understood as a multi-brand franchising house whose identity rests on portfolio management, franchise infrastructure and supply relationships, with consumer recognition coming primarily from individual brands such as Donut King, Gloria Jean's Coffees, Crust Pizza and Brumby's Bakeries.
- 2025
Firehouse Subs master franchise acquired
[1]RFG acquired the Australian master franchise for Firehouse Subs.
- 2024
Cibo Espresso acquired
[1]RFG acquired Cibo Espresso from Retail Zoo for A$2.7 million.
- 2023
Beefy's Pies acquisition agreed
[1]RFG agreed to acquire Beefy's Pies for A$10 million.
- 2014
Gloria Jean's Coffees acquired
[1]RFG acquired Gloria Jean's Coffees for A$163.5 million, substantially expanding its coffee portfolio.
- 2012
Pizza Capers and Crust acquired
[1]RFG acquired the Pizza Capers Gourmet Kitchen and Crust Pizza franchise chains.
- 2011
Esquires master franchise obtained
[1]RFG acquired the Australian and New Zealand master franchise licence for Esquires Coffee House.
- 2010
Big Dad's Pies rights acquired
[1]RFG purchased the franchising rights and intellectual property for Queensland pie chain Big Dad's Pies.
- 2003
Holding company incorporated
[1]Retail Food Group was incorporated to serve as a holding company for expanding franchise brand systems.
- 1989
Retail Food Group established
[1]RFG traces its establishment to 1989 as an Australian food retail and franchising business.
Products and positioning
A multi-brand food franchising and retail platform spanning coffee, bakery, doughnut, pizza, pie and mobile-food formats.
Coffeehouse franchise
Gloria Jean's Coffees
A franchised coffeehouse network acquired by RFG in 2014. The brand sells coffee and café-style beverages and has operated across multiple international markets, including a substantial Australian network.
Doughnut and coffee franchise · 1981
Donut King
An Australian franchise system founded in Sydney in 1981 and focused on doughnuts, coffee and related takeaway café products. It is one of RFG's best-known consumer-facing brands.
Retail bakery franchise · 1975
Brumby's Bakeries
An Australian and New Zealand bakery chain established in Ashburton, Victoria, in 1975. Its stores provide bakery-style products through a franchised retail format.
Pizza franchise
Crust Pizza
A franchised pizza chain operating in Australia. RFG acquired the chain in 2012, adding a substantial pizza-delivery and takeaway system to its portfolio.
Pizza franchise
Pizza Capers
A gourmet pizza and takeaway franchise acquired by RFG in 2012. The system forms part of the group's Australian pizza portfolio alongside Crust Pizza.
Mobile coffee franchise
Café2U
A mobile coffee-van brand system that delivers café beverages through a mobile operating model rather than a conventional fixed-site café network.
Mobile coffee franchise
The Coffee Guy
A mobile coffee brand system operating through coffee vans. RFG acquired the brand system in November 2014.
Coffee roasting and supply
Di Bella Coffee
A coffee business associated with roasting and supplying coffee products to the group's network and other customers.
Pie franchise
Beefy's Pies
A Queensland pie chain with more than 11 stores identified in the reference material. RFG agreed to acquire the brand in 2023.
Bakery and patisserie franchise
Michel's Patisserie
A retail bakery-style food brand formerly operated within RFG's portfolio. RFG announced in February 2025 that the brand would be discontinued.
Controversies
2022
ACCC civil case and franchisee settlement
The ACCC won a civil court case against RFG. A settlement relating to alleged improper marketing expenses and the sale of loss-making stores provided repayments and debt erasures totaling A$10 million to Michel's Patisserie and Gloria Jean's franchisees.
2019
Crust franchise operator fined over worker underpayments
In a case involving a Crust Gourmet Pizza outlet in North Hobart, the Federal Circuit Court fined the outlet's operator, QHA Foods, $80,000 and fined two directors $12,000 each. The case concerned underpayment and discrimination against foreign employees. The operators admitted workplace-law breaches. The court proceedings addressed the treatment of foreign workers at the franchise outlet, with the penalties imposed on both the operating company and its directors.
2017
Reported franchisee financial distress
A Sydney Morning Herald investigation reported that hundreds of franchisees had experienced severe financial hardship after investing in brands within the RFG network.
Brand decisions
2025
Acquires Australian Firehouse Subs master franchiseM&ABackground
RFG pursued another branded quick-service food opportunity in Australia.
Action taken
The company acquired the Australian master franchise for Firehouse Subs.
2025
Discontinues Michel's PatisserieStrategyBackground
RFG reviewed its multi-brand portfolio and announced a change affecting one of its bakery systems.
Action taken
RFG announced that it would discontinue Michel's Patisserie.
Aftermath
Michel's Patisserie was identified as a former rather than current RFG brand.
2024
Acquires Cibo EspressoM&ABackground
RFG continued to expand its coffeehouse portfolio.
Action taken
RFG acquired Cibo Espresso from Retail Zoo for A$2.7 million.
Aftermath
Cibo Espresso became part of RFG's coffee brand portfolio.
Acquisition consideration. A$2.7 million (November 2024)
2023
Agrees to acquire Beefy's PiesM&ABackground
RFG sought to expand its pie and bakery-related portfolio.
Action taken
RFG agreed to acquire Beefy's Pies for A$10 million.
Aftermath
Beefy's Pies was identified as part of RFG's current brand portfolio.
Acquisition consideration. A$10 million (November 2023)
2014
Withdraws from proposed La Porchetta transactionM&ABackground
RFG had announced a proposed A$16.3 million purchase of La Porchetta's franchising system.
Action taken
The company withdrew from the proposed acquisition three months after announcing it.
Aftermath
The La Porchetta transaction did not become part of RFG's portfolio.
Proposed acquisition price. A$16.3 million proposed consideration; transaction abandoned (2014)
Recent events
Crust franchise operator fined over worker underpayments[3]
Reported:
The Federal Circuit Court fined QHA Foods, the operator of a Crust Gourmet Pizza outlet in North Hobart, $80,000, and fined two directors $12,000 each. The case involved underpayment and discrimination against foreign employees; the operators admitted workplace-law breaches.
Sources3 sources
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