Columbus Coffee is marking 30 years of serving New Zealanders with coffee and warm hospitality across 75 stores nationwide.
Founded in August 1995 by David Burton, Frances Hollis and Lance Wyatt, the first Columbus Coffee store opened on High Street in Auckland, introducing a new coffee experience. Their vision was simple: to offer the freshest coffee possible — roasted, ground, and brewed onsite — and to make it accessible to everyone.
In the early days, Columbus Coffee focused on coffee beans, offering up to 30 different blends. Customers could attend hands-on barista training, take home freshly roasted beans, and enjoy a café experience that was ahead of its time. As New Zealand’s coffee culture grew, so did Columbus Coffee, evolving into a place where food, connection and community came together.
Winning Franchise
Graeme Tait and John Ashby played a pivotal role in scaling the business, building systems that helped Columbus Coffee grow into a leading franchise. Their efforts helped the brand earn multiple accolades, including Supreme Franchise System of the Year and Food & Beverage Franchise System of the Year.
Today, Columbus Coffee is deeply embedded in communities across the country, with nearly 1,000 staff and a strong partnership with Mitre 10, where 50 cafés now operate in store. The Columbus Rewards Programme has become one of New Zealand’s largest coffee loyalty schemes, reflecting the brand’s enduring commitment to its customers.
Thirty Year Connections
“Columbus Coffee has always been more than just a café,” says Jon Hassall, Chief Operating Officer. “It’s a place where people meet, connect and feel at home. Our journey has been shaped by the dedication of our team and the loyalty of our customers.
“As we mark this milestone, it’s not just a celebration of coffee – it’s a celebration of the people: the franchisees, café staff, suppliers and support team who’ve made the last 30 years possible.”
To celebrate turning 30, the franchise is running a consumer competition offering a holiday prize.