City’s disappearing Muzz Buzz drive-through could be back in business

A DARWIN building that famously disappeared in the dead of night following a dispute between Muzz Buzz franchisees and the company’s head office could soon be back in business

The former Muzz Buzz container has popped up again opposite the new Bunnings site at Palmerston. Picture: Che Chorley

A DARWIN building that famously disappeared in a “black ops” operation in the dead of night following a dispute between Muzz Buzz franchisees and the company’s head office could soon be back in business.

The building’s owners Kimdelia and Rod Cole famously spirited the structure away under the cover of darkness following a dispute with the national drive-through coffee franchise in 2018.

OFFER ends tomorrow! Free subscription deal: Stay informed on COVID-19 crisis

The couple had owned and operated the Muzz Buzz franchise at Darwin Airport Central for two years before they terminated their contract with the chain, repainted the building and reopened it independently under a new name.

The dispute ended up in court where Muzz Buzz alleged the couple “refused to reveal the whereabouts of the building or to make it available” to head office.

In more recent times, the Coles have been operating their CRAVE Cold Brew N Superfoods business out of the Gateway Shopping Centre in Palmerston but Mrs Cole said she now planned to re-establish the business in the old premises.

RELATED

Shop lifted: Popular drive-through coffee shop vanishes overnight

Muzz Buzz offers reward for missing Darwin coffee shop

Muzz Buzz takes franchisees to court over missing drive through cafe

“We’re the original owners and we still own it,” she said.

“Our court case has finalised and we retained the ownership of our building.”

Mrs Cole said the couple’s current business had been disrupted by the coronavirus crisis but they had lodged a development application and hoped to begin trading out of the old building as soon as possible.

“We’re now using this time to wait for our application to be approved and re-establish in our own building,” she said.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

The building is currently on the Stuart Hwy opposite the site of the new Palmerston Bunnings and Mrs Cole said the couple intended to reopen the business there when life finally returned to normal.