Gloria Jean’s appoints new officer to development team

As an answer to the recent closure of Borders stores, Damon Smith will implement relocation strategies for the affected partners.

Ferrier Hodgson, the administrators for Borders Australia Pty Limited earlier in the year confirmed the closing of 14 more Borders stores with Gloria Jean’s Coffees on 30 May 2011. Troy McDonagh, General Manager of Gloria Jean’s Coffees, expressed great disappointment with the closures and said that their primary concern is their people, and that their “overriding objective is to ensure business continuity” for their franchise partners.

Smiths’ four month contract with the Development team follows the strategising of a financial relocation package agreed to by Gloria Jean’s Coffees and its partners. A ‘continuity of trade strategy’ was also commissioned for each house in aid of the affected partners.

Troy McDonagh concluded: “We continue to work closely with each affected partner and have a plan in place to assist all our affected coffee house team members. Damon’s appointment is crucial to ensure that the affects of this situation are minimised for our valued franchise partners.”