Chocolate royalty Koko Black returns to Qld with Brisbane flagship store

Premium chocolatier Koko Black has returned to Queensland after a decade-long absence, opening its flagship Brisbane store with ambitious plans for statewide expansion.

Koko Black’s area manager Olessia Loukhnovitch at the new store. Pic Annette Dew

An Australian premium chocolatier is returning back to the Queensland market with its colourful packaged chocolates, a decade after its closure.

Koko Black officially reopens its Queensland flagship boutique on Friday (December 5) at the Queen Street Mall’s Brisbane Arcade.

The premium chocolatier’s CEO Rory Gration said the return to the Sunshine State was long planned as digital sales in the region also supported the decision.

“We exited the Queensland market over a decade ago … we’ve always wanted to get back into the Queensland market,” Mr Gration said.

“It’s an incredibly important market for our business. We sell over 20 per cent of our online sales to Queensland.

“So, there’s been a demand for Koko Black product up in the market, but we haven’t had a physical presence.”

Koko Black CEO Rory Gration. Pic Annette Dew

The 59 sqm store offers a grand display of ‘make your own chocolate box’, featuring over 54 flavoured chocolates.

The brand has built its own trademark “beat the heat bag” to address the specific challenges of the Queensland climate, which ensures customers can transport their purchases home safely despite the heat and humidity.

To mark the launch, the brand is offering the first 100 customers a $200 voucher.

The launch also marks a significant milestone in the company’s national expansion plans after being salvaged by burger chain Grill’d founder Simon Crowe, who bought the business from voluntary administration in 2015.

A Koko Black coffee stand in Melbourne.

The brand is looking to grow after its recent acquisition of Melbourne family-owned chocolate factory business, Chocolatier Australia, in April 2025.

It is expanding its chocolate making in a 5,812 sqm purpose-built factory and 4,000 sqm climate-controlled warehouse in Heidelberg West, Victoria.

With 22 stores already operating predominantly in Victoria and New South Wales, Mr Gration said Queenslanders will bring a unique personality to the state’s first store.

“Queenslanders have a unique personality, we think of them as a fun part of Australia and they have a casual elegance,” he said.

“Also, Queensland is becoming more and more foodie, eating high-quality products with new restaurants opening.

“The whole city is getting energised with the Olympics and we will love to be in that journey with the Queenslanders.”

Mr Gration envisioned a clear pathway to opening 50-60 stores across the country in the next five years, including seven to 10 stores across Queensland.

Originally published as Chocolate royalty Koko Black returns to Qld with Brisbane flagship store