OUR
HISTORY
THE FIRST MUFFIN BREAK STORE OPENED ITS DOORS IN COOLANGATTA IN 1989 AND HAS BECOME AUSTRALIA’S MOST-LOVED BAKERY CAFÉ.
For the last 30 years, we’ve taken wholesome recipes, quality ingredients and an abundance of passion and turned them into memorable moments. It’s the kind of good we’ve been sharing since 1989.
VIEW THE 1980’s
1989
Muffin Break launched in Australia with Pat and Arthur Naismith opening the first store in Coolongatta and we were first to market with a national quality espresso coffee offer.
VIEW THE 1990’s
1990
While still a new concept in the Aussie market, we opened in Australia’s largest shopping centre (Chadstone, VIC) with customers queuing for over 1.5 hours for their muffins and frothy cappuccino!
1991
The journey continued to open again in a new state in Chatswood, NSW.
1992
We ran a competition, featuring Bob (the founder of the Muffin Break concept in Australia) with the Canadian Mounties, where a customer had the opportunity to visit our Canadian roots.
1993
We were opening stores around the country really quickly, and we’re winners of Westfield’s Retail Excellence award for all our hard work in keeping our customers happy!
1994
While we continued to expand our footprint in Australia, Muffin Break launched their first store abroad in Auckland, New Zealand.
1995
Focusing on expansion into international markets, our Australian market grew to 75 stores this year.
1996
Muffin Break endorsed Sue Stanley, an Aerobics Champion, to work with us to promote healthy eating conducted demonstrations in shopping centres.
1997
Muffin Break continues is healthier muffin range, offering our Aussie customers a ‘Heart Tick Muffin’.
1998
After 10 years in the retail industry, we launched our Muffin Break mascot, Muffy.
1999
Muffin Break wanted to reach new customers and so we advertised in the Men’s Health magazine with a 6-pack muffin offer.
VIEW THE 2000’s
2000
In line with the 2000 Olympics hosted in Sydney, our 100th store opened in Olympic Park.
2001
The Muffin Break concept is flown across the borders, and we opened our first store in Derby, United Kingdom.
2002
And just as opening stores across the world mattered, so too were our healthier muffin options as requested by customers. This year, we launched our Low Fat muffin range!
2003
We crossed more borders, entering the United States and some months later, Dubai too.
2004
Muffin Break was awarded the win for Franchisor of the Year in Hospitality for our high quality food and service standards, provided by our training centre.
2005
Muffin Break becomes the first national franchise to offer a freshly baked gluten free product, with the launch of our Gluten Free muffin range.
2006
And we continued to listen to our customers when they were talking about Weight Watchers, becoming the first QSR to receive an endorsement once Muffin Break released our Weight Watchers muffins.
2007
While more customers were coming in to enjoy our extensive muffin range, their kids needed something to do. So we launched cookie workshops, teaching children how to bake at their local Muffin Break store.
2008
Muffin Man, our new mascot, makes his debut on the Channel 9 TODAY Show where he was hosting outdoor broadcasts with free muffins and coffees.
2009
Introducing an Australian favourite as a fusion for Australia Day – the lamington muffin!
VIEW THE 2010’s
2010
Muffin Break Charleston wins Guinness World Record – for the most number of cappuccinos made in an hour. Muffin Breakbarista Rob O’Donnell achieved a Guinness World Record, pouring 208 cappuccinos in an hour.
2011
Muffin Man wins the NRL Annual Mascot Race (a somewhat controversial win!)
2012
Muffin Break partnered with Good Beginnings – a non for profit organisation focused on building better outcomes for children in vulnerable communities through effective early intervention programs. We were able to raise over $500,000 in a two-year period, for the charity.
2014
We introduced our store into a Croc’s playcentre this year, with the first store opening in Reservoir, VIC. Now, mum and dad can enjoy a good cuppa, while watching the kids play.
2015
We launched our very first Nutella-filled Duffin. A fusion creation between donut and muffin, selling over 60,000 across Australia.
2016
Muffin Break launched an innovative pizza pie product for customers, and even ran a special flavour for April Fool’s Day with a scorpion!
2017
Muffin Break wins the Best Coffee Shop retailer again, as offered by the Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Award.
2018
Muffin Break committed to the launch of their sustainability journey, with their partnership with Simply Cups. For every takeaway coffee or hot drink sold by Muffin Break, we’ve committed to paying for every one cup diverted from landfill by Simply Cups.
2019
Muffin Break now serves 20 million coffees a year to Australians.
VIEW THE 2020’s
2022
Muffin Break rated the best in Canstar Blue’s coffee shops review and was awarded Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers Award for 2022.
2023
Muffin Break voted Coffee Shop of the Year 2022 by Roy Morgan. This marked the fourth time Muffin Break has won this prestigious accolade.
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