The Papoulious family opens the first Donut King store in Sydney, NSW (Bondi Eastgate).

The concept of franchising Donut King is introduced to the Papoulious family by Murray d’Almeida, who has 65 ‘Bakers Bun’ bread shops.

Murray purchases 50% of the DONUT KING franchise system.

By now, three (3) “BB’s Donuts” stores are operating. These are essentially a Donut King store with a menu expanded to include muffins, pies and pastries.

Around the same time, Murray converts a number of his “Bakers Bun” outlets into bread and coffee shops, thus the “BB’s Coffee & Croissants” chain was born. The first converted store was in Newcastle, the second in Woollongong. The concept failed shortly thereafter.

Murray d’Almeida purchases the remaining 50% of DONUT KING held by the Papoulious family and becomes sole owner of the DONUT KING brand.

Kevin Cook joins forces with Murray d’Almeida and becomes 50% owner of DONUT KING and 25% owner of BB’s.

Murray offers a 50% interest in BB’s to Tony Williams.

Together, Murray, Kevin and Tony create a new Systems Manager called “Retail Food Group ( Australia)”. Their objective is to jointly develop two franchise systems – DONUT KING and a reinvigorated BB’s COFFEE & CROISSANTS.

A marketing support team is introduced to RFG(A) and the franchise community.

Master Franchisees are introduced to each state in Australia to provide support and encourage ‘individual motivation’.

The BB’s coffee shop concept is relaunched, involving new livery, store layout and menu offerings. A whole new focus on muffins is given priority.

The first franchised BB’s Coffee & Croissants store opens in Frankston, Victoria.

BB’s opens it’s first outlet in NSW (BB’s Miranda), and in SE QLD (BB’s Mt Gravatt).

BB’s opens it’s first NTH QLD outlet (BB’s Willows).

BB’s goes through a few variations of logos, ultimately ending up with the “Coffee & Bake” positioning line added to the logo inside a blue ribbon to reinforce quality. The final “BB’s Coffee & Bake” logo was then launched, replacing the older “BB’s Coffee & Croissants” logo.

RFG(A) issue a Master Franchise License to Retail Foods Limited to exploit the BB’s brand in New Zealand.

BB’s opens it’s first outlet in New Zealand (BB’s Atrium, Auckland City Centre).

The first structured FEC (Franchise Enhancement Council) meetings are held across various states.

RFG(A) launches it’s first “Local Area Marketing Plan (LAMP)” for franchisees to provide a professional selection of local promotions to all franchisees.

RFG(A) opens it’s Training Academy at Ereton Drive, Labrador. So BB’s franchisees can get specialised training.

BB’s opens it’s first outlet in the NT – BB’s Casuarina Square.

BB’s opens it’s first outlet in the UK – in Maidenhead, London. So began a rollout of over 50 stores, predominantly in the UK/Europe, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Berlin, Germany.

BB’s introduces Aunt B ( Beatrice Brown) to provide meaning to the name “BB’s”. Her purpose is to provide a “face” for the brand and to reinforce the “fresh-baked”, “home-made” and “quality” aspect of BB’s products.

Beatrice Brown (Aunt B) is removed from the positioning of BB’s.

Introduction of regulation by way of the Franchising Code of Conduct.

RFG(A) National Office relocates to larger premises at 26 Railway St, Southport with potential for an on-site Training Academy.

Training Academy relocates from Labrador to join the National Office, now allowing both technical & theoretical training to take place in the one location.

BB’s commences baking it’s own bread (focaccia) on the premises with a very successful national promotion.

A new focus on service is applied to BB’s, supported by national Mystery Shopper campaigns, Franchisee Awards, a greater focus on compliance with the Customer Service Programme.

RFG(A) purchases the Master Franchise rights for BB’s Victoria, dissolving the Master Franchise rights in Victoria and creating a direct franchisor/franchisee relationship between RFG(A) and franchisees.

BB’s ESPRESSO opens it’s 50 th store.

BB’s undergoes an image review and extensive menu research & development, culminating in a reinvigorated menu ready for the launch of an exciting new “BB’s Espresso” image.

RFG(A) appoints it’s first full-time Till Support person, and Till Support Hotline.

RFG(A) severs the Master Franchise Agreement with Retail Foods Limited (BB’s NZ), resulting in the dissolution of the NZ Master Franchise Rights, and a direct franchisee/franchisor relationship is created.

RFG(A) purchases the Master Franchisee rights for BB’s NSW, creating a direct franchisee/franchisor relationship.

BB’s introduces a breakfast menu and extended early morning trading hours.

The new BB’s Espresso image and trademark is launched.

BB’s ESPRESSO™ opens it’s first store in Western Australia (BB’s Booragoon), the first of the new image stores on the ground.

BB’s ESPRESSO™ opens it’s first store in South Australia (BB’s Castle Plaza).

RFG(NZ) is formed and solidified, following resumption of control by RFG(A).

BB’s ESPRESSO™ opens it’s first “new image” store in New Zealand (BB’s Glenfield), to positive leasing teams and much positive media.

RFG(A) purchases the Master Franchise rights for BB’s SE QLD, resulting in a direct franchisor/franchisee relationship.

BB’s Toowong, (franchisees Terry & Debra Hunter) receive QLD Franchisee of the Year from the Franchising Council of Australia.

BB’s launches it’s new “Low Fat Muffin”, moving with the trend of health conscious customers, and to positive consumer feedback.

BB’s undertakes extensive quantitative & qualitative Market Research in VIC/NSW/QLD.

Shortly after, BB’s trials it’s first TV campaign in SE QLD. The 3-week campaign “Free cappuccino with any gourmet sandwich purchase” tests the market for a national TV campaign.

RFG(A) dispose of it’s interest in the intellectual property for BB’s Coffee & Muffins in the UK & Europe.

The first national BB’s TV campaign is launched with the jingle “The BB’s Beans make BB’s Better”.

RFG(A) holds it’s inaugural International Conference, titled “The Next Generation” at Conrad Jupiters on the Gold Coast, to a very positive franchise group of BB’s ESPRESSO™ and BB’s franchisees.

RFG(A) extends it’s National Office building to accommodate growth.

RFG(A) conducts it’s second International Conference, “Navigator 2004” at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. Bigger and better than ever with attendance increased and great supplier/franchisee/franchisor relationships developed.

BB’s ESPRESSO™ launches it’s new “FRESH” campaign in Australia & New Zealand via TV advertorial campaigns on morning TV shows in order to reposition the BB’s ESPRESSO™ brand in the minds of consumers and differentiate BB’s ESPRESSO™ from competitors.

In late 2004 due to results from extensive market research BB’s Espresso begins its transformation into bb's cafe. The new logo and tag line emerged as a result. Positioning statement was developed.

bb's cafe changes its menu to include a sufficient bread range. It also introduced guilt free indulgence with the introduction of low and light meal options.

All bb's cafes begin the process of converting from BB’S Espresso to the new bb's cafe brand.

bb's cafe trials their new menu in 10 store over a 6 month period primarily in Queensland Store.

bb's cafe begins to attract new target market into their stores.

bb's cafe introduce their new grab ‘n go fridges and product for added convenience for customers

RFG(A) develops a system which ensures all advertising material are in all bb’s cafes to promote the new unity of the brand.

bb's cafe defines a small group of key suppliers which provide all bb’s cafes with the ingredients they require.

In 2006, bb's cafe finishes rolling out the new bb's cafe brand and menu across Australia and New Zealand.

bb's cafe introduced their new coffee of the month promotion which was designed to educate consumers about the varieties of coffee bb's cafe has to offer.

bb's cafe introduced new Bonus Buy promotions to inform customers of the new menu change over and to entice their new target market to all bb’s cafes.