SA rallies with petition to ‘save’ CIBO Espresso brand from takeover

Thousands have signed a petition in a bid to save CIBO Espresso, which is being taken over by the company behind Gloria Jeans.

A petition to save South Australian coffee icon CIBO Espresso has amassed more than 8000 signatures amid ongoing backlash against brand’s sale to the owners of Gloria Jeans.

The state’s 22 stores have been acquired by Gold Coast-based Retail Food Group (RFG), which wants to convert the shops to Gloria Jeans outlets.

The petition, launched by the Liberal Party, states the move risks the loss of the CIBO brand as well as well as hundreds of jobs.

“The 22 CIBO cafes directly employ hundreds of staff, and CIBO indirectly support hundreds more because CIBO coffee is roasted locally, CIBO gelati is made locally, and CIBO food is produced locally,” the petition states.

“Eighteen of the 22 CIBO stores are family-owned small businesses.”

Tiana Capponi’s family purchased a CIBO franchise in Glenelg 20 years ago and now fear for the future of the business.

“(Franchisees) spent so long building these businesses and these families have been serving the community one coffee at a time, some for 20 years like my family,” she said. “This is part of a lot of store owners’ identities.”

Ms Capponi said the fight was about more than just one brand.

“If it goes ahead and there is a complete rebrand it sets a dangerous precedent for all the franchisers, not just the CIBO franchisers. “It’s bigger than CIBO.

“It’s not only upsetting for all those that own the stores, the suppliers that are affiliated with this brand but it’s also the customers, some are really upset about it.”

Among them is ex-Liberal MP Nicolle Flint, who started the petition to save CIBO.

She urged South Australians to sign the petition in the hope it would reach 10,000 signatures, enough to trigger a review by parliament.

An RFG spokesperson said no South Australian or CIBO Espresso jobs were at risk as a result of its planned acquisition of CIBO Espresso.

“Our desire is to make the opportunities so compelling that they will want to transition and our commitment and conviction is so strong that we expect to invest $1.3m into the South Australian network, as part of our support for this process,” the spokesperson said.

“There is also no immediate impact on supply partner arrangements.

“All of these will remain unchanged for the time being, and as such, there will be no immediate change for franchise partner operations.”

You can see the petition here.