The Victoria-based licensee says the appointment of hospitality entrepreneur James Sinclair will support efforts to further scale its 78-store footprint and sustain revenue growth under new leadership
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Sinclair’s appointment comes six weeks after Starbucks Australia appointed Braeden Lord as CEO | Photo credit: Olena Bohovyk
Starbucks Australia has further strengthened its leadership team by appointing hospitality entrepreneur James Sinclair to its Board of Directors.
In a statement, Starbucks Australia said Sinclair’s track record building hospitality brands will be ‘integral’ in managing its planned expansion. The licensed business, owned by The Withers Group since 2014, currently operates 78 stores across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.
“James’ appointment comes at an exciting time of growth for Starbucks Australia, with over 40 new stores in our development pipeline and the recent record-breaking store opening in Western Australia,” said Michael Smith, Chairman, Starbucks Australia.
Sinclair founded Melbourne-based Signature Hospitality Group in 2001 and currently serves as CEO of its company-owned and licensed brands, including sports bar The Sporting Globe Bar & Grill and restaurant chain TGI Fridays.
His appointment comes six weeks after Starbucks Australia appointed Non-Executive Director and former Gelatissimo executive Braeden Lord as its new CEO. The coffee chain will also announce an additional board appointment before the end of 2024.
US coffee giant Starbucks entered Australia in 2000 with an outlet in Sydney. The coffee chain scaled to 80 stores before closing two-thirds of its sites in 2008 after significant losses. However, the coffee chain has turned a corner in recent years – nearly returning to its pre-2008 outlet count and turning its first annual profit in 2023.
Starbucks Australia’s annual revenues for the year ended 31 June 2023 grew 35% year-on-year to reach AU$157.3m ($105m).