Retail Food Group, Australia’s largest multi-brand retail food franchisor and a global food and beverage company, recently announced the hiring of Sam Ferreira as president of the U.S. business. Ferreira will be focused on developing new innovative brand initiatives and building on the strong legacy the brand has established in the states through Gloria Jean’s Coffees and It’s A Grind Coffee House.

Ferreira’s most recent role was Senior Director of Retail Operations/Sales & Service at Oportun, where he was responsible for the rapid expansion of the business. He also brings experience overseeing large chains and franchises through senior roles at Peet’s Coffee and Tea, Blockbuster and Subway.   

“We are thrilled to welcome Sam to the Retail Food Group leadership team to drive the growth of our U.S. business,” says Mike Gilbert, Chief Executive—International, Retail Food Group. “Sam’s passion for delivering positive results with a focus on process, people and innovation, paired with his 25 years of experience driving results across multiple retail disciplines, will position our brands to compete in the ever-growing coffee segment.” 

Retail Food Group’s U.S. brand portfolio includes Gloria Jean’s Coffees, with 57 locations in 20 states, and It’s A Grind Coffee House, with 17 locations. In 2018, Retail Food Group announced plans to introduce the highly successful Australian concepts including Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar, Donut King and Brumby’s Bakery to the U.S. market, as well as a strategic plan to expand Gloria Jean’s Coffees on a global scale, announcing a 40-store development initiative planned for Germany.

“I am looking forward to working with our franchisees partners to grow our brands and increase our Average Unit Volume,” says Ferreira. “The potential in the brands is there to capture the growing coffee segment and showcase a handcrafted, small batch roasted story with unique flavor profiles allowing us to excite the US marketplace.”

In 2017 alone, Gloria Jean’s opened eight new U.S. locations. The momentum did not stop in 2018, with six openings scheduled before mid-2018, including two It’s A Grind locations opening in Northern California. The brand’s commitment to quality-sourced beans and a legacy of unique flavor innovation, sourcing 100 percent of its coffees directly from exotic locations across the globe and then roasting every bean at its facility in California, has competitors of Gloria Jean’s and It’s A Grind in hot water. But while the rest of the coffee industry catches up to the flavor revolution, Gloria Jean’s plans to improve upon its own legacy of innovation at the brand’s in-house roastery in Los Angeles and It’s a Grind continues to drive its Coffee Forward flavor profile to the masses.