Zarraffa’s Coffee acquires Adelaide’s first drive-through coffee chain, First Things First Coffee

Adelaide’s first drive-through coffee chain has been bought out, with owners calling the move “bittersweet”.

First Things First Coffee's Woodville store. Picture: Supplied

South Australia’s pioneering drive-through coffee stores have been bought out by a national coffee chain in a multimillion-dollar deal, with owners saying it was time to “hand over their baby”.

First Things First Coffee were on the fast track to give caffeine addicts quality coffee, quickly.
It’s now been sold to Queensland-based chain Zarraffa’s – which intends to open a new outlet in Munno Para.

James Carrigg, 35, and Aaron Box, 34, were at a “career crossroads” when they decided to launch the business in 2015.

Having relocated from Geelong, Victoria, Mr Carrigg said that city’s “massive drive-through coffee culture” was the inspiration behind the venture.

“We wanted to recreate some of that, but moreover, we just didn’t understand why you couldn’t seem to get a proper coffee, through the convenience of a drive-through,” the father of one said.

Aaron Box, Kenton Campbell from Zarraffa’s and James Carrigg. Picture: Supplied

Mr Carrigg said the journey, from start to finish, has been “incredibly contrasting”.

“(We faced the) trials and tribulations that most small businesses do when they start out,” the Cats footy fan said.

“Working every hour of every day, getting home and doing the books. You’re running on adrenaline early days, which we could do because we were young boys.

“It’s a lot of hard work getting a hospitality business off the ground.”

Despite reaching a “wonderful point” in their business, Mr Carrigg said it was the right time to hand over to the coffee specialists – one they felt “aligned with their mission”.

Aaron Box and James Carrigg with Zarraffa’s managing director and founder Kenton Campbell, centre.

“We’re certainly not exiting the business because we didn’t enjoy it,” the Grange local said.

“We were initially never for sale, but the right person approached us and put forward the right narrative. I think our customers will, in time, embrace Zarraffa’s.”

Mr Carrigg said their final days were “bittersweet” ahead of officially handing over the keys.

“It’s something we love being a part of and we grew from ground up,” he said.

“We’re handing our baby over to someone we completely trust to take it forward in the right stead.”

Zarraffa's Coffee managing director and founder Kenton Campbell. Picture: Supplied

Kenton Campbell, managing director and founder of Zarraffa’s Coffee, said their move into Adelaide had been a “long time coming”.

“Now we have reached the right stage in our growth plans, we’re excited to finally make this moment happen,” he said.

They will take over stores located at Enfield, Salisbury Downs, Woodville Park and Holden Hill, this month, as they gear up to open their first flagship store at Munno Para later this year.

“We respect what the team behind First Things First Coffee have created, and we are here to build upon it to ensure continuity and a seamless experience for customers,” Mr Campbell said.

Zarraffa’s hopes to expand to more than 200 sites across Australia in the next seven years.

Originally published as Zarraffa’s Coffee acquires Adelaide’s first drive-through coffee chain, First Things First Coffee