2025 AGM Chairman's Address and Trading Update
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
1
[SLIDE 1 – Chairman’s Address Title Slide]
Retail Food Group Limited
2025 Annual General Meeting
Executive Chairman’s Address
27 November 2025
I will now be speaking to key developments from Financial Year 2025, providing
commentary around our strategy, and finally sharing a trading update for the first
quarter of Financial Year 2026.
Before continuing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Matt Marshall, who
resigned from the role of CEO in September, for his commitment to RFG over the past
five years. During his two years as CEO the business saw a steady improvement in
underlying performance along with the addition of key growth drivers in Beefy’s and
Firehouse Subs. I wish him all the best.
As disclosed to the market at the time, I have returned to the role of Executive
Chairman while the Board conducts a global search for a new CEO. This search is
focused on finding a CEO with substantial franchise experience and the ability to build
and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, in particular
our Franchise Partners.
[SLIDE 2 – FY25 Resilience and Focus]
FY25 was characterised by ongoing resilience across RFG’s brand networks in the
face of difficult macroeconomic conditions. While there were a number of challenges
over the period, there were also clear green shoots and cause for optimism heading
into FY26.
The resilience of our core brands has shone through in a volatile retail landscape, and
our strategy remains anchored in continuing to Enhance and Grow these brands. We
will do this while maintaining a constant focus on supporting our franchisees as they
build their businesses in partnership with us. We continue to prioritise franchisee
2
success, deploying data-driven platforms for performance tracking and customer
engagement, and during the year we reinstated our Franchise Partner seminars in
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to strengthen support, stability and engagement.
The core of the franchising business model is that it is capital-light and mutually
beneficial to both franchisor and franchisees. This approach provides us with the
optionality to invest in high-growth opportunities as they arise, as shown with the
successful expansion of Beefy’s Pies and the partnership agreement with Firehouse
Subs announced during the year.
Efficiency maximisation remains central, which has included investment in technology
and international supply chain optimisation in order to improve our ability to further
expand our networks and generate shareholder value. We are also focused on
ensuring the cost structure appropriately balances targeted investment in new growth
opportunities, with revenue growth expectations.
Finally, looking ahead RFG has strong growth horizons underpinned by the resilience
of our core brands, ongoing brand innovation, and new growth pathways in Beefy’s
and Firehouse Subs.
[SLIDE 3 – Corporate Snapshot]
RFG is Australia’s largest multi-brand retail food franchise manager, with a global
footprint spanning 30 countries and over 1,200 trading outlets. This includes more than
700 Australian outlets across our eleven brands. RFG also manufactures and
distributes high quality pies from our Sunshine Coast Bakery and coffee through our
Sydney Roastery.
The RFG Board of Directors has deep expertise in retail, franchising, and corporate
governance, and all are in attendance today. I thank each of them for their contribution
over the past year, and in particular would like to acknowledge Kerry Ryan’s decade-
long service. As previously announced, Kerry is retiring by rotation and is not standing
for re-election at today’s AGM. Kerry has been a source of balanced insight to the
3
Board during a period of significant change, and has remained focused at all times on
RFG’s stakeholders’ interests. I wish her all the best.
Turning back to RFG, I would like to acknowledge the disappointing share price
performance over FY25. Along with the rest of the Board I fully appreciate our
responsibility to act in the best interests of the Company and drive value for all
shareholders. We are firmly of the belief that equity markets are not currently ascribing
fair value to RFG shares. We are committed to taking the actions necessary to deliver
stronger, sustainable value to our shareholders.
[SLIDE 4 – RFG at a Glance]
For the third year in a row RFG generated over $500m of Total Network Sales,
including slight growth in FY25, demonstrating the resilience of our store networks
despite economic headwinds.
Our Domestic Networks ended the year at 722 stores, with the vast majority of these
in Core Brands, which are detailed at the bottom of this slide.
During the year the Café, Coffee, and Bakery segment reported Same Store Sales
Growth of 1.1%, with strong trading in the Beefy’s network, while QSR reported a
Same Store Sales decline of 3.1% on an extended period of competitor discounting.
Pleasingly, Crust reported strong Same Store Sales Growth in 4Q25, at 5.5%, and as
I will detail later on, this positive momentum trend has continued in 1Q26, with Same
Store Sales Growth of +4.1%.
Underlying EBITDA rose 1.7% to $29.6m as the full year contribution of the Beefy’s
Pies acquisition and control on expenses helped to offset the lower lease impairment
benefits.
[SLIDE 5 – The Franchising Partnership]
Franchisee success is at the heart of our strategy, as it drives network quality and
operational excellence.
4
Our franchising partnerships are built on a customer-first philosophy and a
commitment to building for scale.
We support franchisees with structured engagement, technology platforms, and
tailored training.
Both RFG and our franchisees share common goals, which are ultimately to improve
store-level sales and to increase store-level profitability.
Our Multi-Site Operator program continues to produce results, helping secure a
pipeline of 20 outlets over the next 3 years (5 of which were delivered in FY25).
[SLIDE 6 – FY25 Highlights]
I’ve already touched on some of the key financial highlights from FY25.
Other key milestones during the year included:
▪ The continued expansion of the Beefy’s network, which was accompanied by
strong Same Store Sales Growth;
▪ The agreement with Restaurant Brands International to launch Firehouse Subs
in Australia, targeting 165 restaurants over the next decade;
▪ The acquisition of CIBO Espresso, enhancing our presence in South Australia;
▪ The strategic reset of the Company Stores strategy, with a focus on recycling
capital into growth brands; and
▪ The initiation of the Gloria Jean’s brand refresh, highlighted by the new
Glorange format.
[SLIDE 7 – Our Strategy]
Our ‘Enhance and Grow’ framework remains the guide for every decision we make.
5
We continue to Enhance our core business by investing in people, systems, and
customer insights, while also Growing through key brand expansion and international
opportunities.
As detailed on the slide there has been some pleasing progress on these strategic
priorities.
By strengthening our established brands and driving new growth levers (such as
Beefy’s and Firehouse Subs) we can ensure sustainable performance and long-term
value creation for franchisees and shareholders.
[SLIDE 8 – Gloria Jean’s Refresh - Glorange]
FY25 saw the initiation of a strategic brand reset for Gloria Jean’s in partnership with
a leading design agency. The new store format blends modern aesthetics with Gloria
Jean’s coffee heritage, aiming to re-energise the customer experience and strengthen
brand relevance.
The two sites that are currently operating under the new format have registered strong
performance uplift in their initial weeks of trade post refurbishment.
[SLIDE 9 – Brand Innovation]
Innovation remains a key driver of sales growth for our franchisees. Examples of
successful brand innovation during FY25 and 1Q26 include:
▪ The launch of the new Donut King Premium Range alongside the refresh of the
Hot Dogs portfolio. This has led to an increase in brand consideration across
consumers and delivered a 178% uplift in premium donut sales across March
– September 2025 compared to the same period in the prior year; and
▪ Crust Free Delivery Thursdays and the Meat Deluxe collection helping Crust
achieve 5.5% Same Store Sales Growth in 4Q25 and a further 4.1% in 1Q26
as mentioned earlier.
6
[SLIDE 10 – Balance Sheet]
RFG ended FY25 with $23.5 million in unrestricted cash and $32.5 million of gross
debt resulting in Net Debt of $9 million. The Group is fully compliant with its debt
covenants.
We are focused on ensuring the cost structure is appropriately balancing targeted
investment in new growth opportunities with revenue growth expectations.
Lease payments are reducing as the Group executes its company store strategic shift
and continues to exit legacy sites. Fully-franked dividends remain a key target for the
Board when appropriate. The group currently holds franking credits of $51.0m and
unused revenue tax losses of $100.8m, which provide a future taxation benefit of
$30.2m.
[SLIDE 11 – 1Q26 Trading Update]
First quarter results are encouraging, with positive Network Same Store Sales Growth
and Core Brands strengthening.
As previously mentioned Crust Same Store Sales Growth remains strong at +4.1%,
with that network performing very well against competitors. Beefy’s Same Store Sales
Growth was also strong at 5.8%, including normalising for the Gympie store which has
been negatively impacted by the opening of the Gympie bypass.
The first Firehouse Subs store is expected to launch in FY26, with a current focus on
flagship site selection and supply chain set up.
While Total Network Sales and Total Trading Outlets are down slightly, this is largely
reflective of non-core brand outlet closures. Excluding these closures, we’ve seen
improvements across the network with overall Same Store Sales Growth of 0.8% in
1Q26.
7
Finally, 44% of the 50 targeted company store transitions have been either agreed or
completed, with a further 4 sites exited in 1Q26. This mitigates the $5.1m of cash
losses on company stores in FY25 and generates Franchise Service Fee income on
those sites transitioned in 2H FY26.
That concludes my prepared remarks for today.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our team members for their dedication
and hard work over the past year, our franchise partners for their ongoing commitment,
and our shareholders for their support.
ENDS.
Peter George
Executive Chairman
E: Peter.George@rfg.com.au
P: +61 7 5655 2640
Chairman’s Address
2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING | NOVEMBER 2025
Peter George
Executive Chairman
Retail Food Group Limited
1
FY25 Resilience and Focus
Realising brand value via franchisee gains, efficiency and growth horizons
RFG 2025 AGM – 27 November 2025
Resilient Core Brands Peter George, Executive Chairman
Constant Franchisee Focus
Capital-light Business Model
Efficiency Maximisation
Strong Growth Horizons
1 – Core Brands refers to Gloria Jean’s, Donut King, Beefy’s Pies (CCB) and Crust, Rack’em Bones BBQ Ribs, Firehouse (QSR) 2
Corporate Snapshot
RFG 2025 AGM – 27 November 2025
Capital Structure1
Ticker ASX:RFG
Shares on Issue 62,930,789
Share Price $1.62
Market Capitalisation $103.8m
Net Debt (FY25) $9.0m
Underlying2 EBITDA (FY25) $29.6m
Underlying EPS (FY25) $0.21
ND / EBITDA 0.3x
Board of Directors
Peter George Executive Chairman
Michael (Mick) Bulley NED
David Grant Independent NED
Jacinta Caithness Independent NED
Kerry Ryan3 Independent NED
1 - All figures in table as of 26 November 2025 unless otherwise stated.
2 - Underlying figures quoted in this presentation exclude marketing funds & one-off costs (see FY25 Results Presentation for full reconciliations).
3 - Kerry Ryan is retiring by rotation and is not standing for re-election at today’s AGM.
3
RFG is Australia’s largest multi-brand retail food franchise manager, with a
global footprint spanning 30 countries and over 1,200 trading outlets. This
includes more than 700 Australian outlets across 11 brands. RFG also
manufactures and distributes high quality pies from our Sunshine Coast Bakery
and coffee through our Sydney Roastery.
RFG at a Glance
Resilient, diversified store networks with strong growth upside
RFG 2025 AGM – 27 November 2025
Network Sales ($m) SSSG1 Domestic Outlets
Underlying Revenue2
($m)
Underlying EBITDA2
($m)
FY24 FY25 FY24 FY25 FY24 FY25 FY24 FY25 FY24 FY25
Café, Coffee, Bakery (CCB) 359.8 366.9 +3.1% +1.1% 493 461 78.5 90.9 24.5 25.5
Quick Service Restaurants3 (QSR) 144.1 138.5 -6.2% -3.1% 248 261 11.9 11.8 4.6 4.0
Total 503.9 505.4 +0.2% -0.2% 741 722 90.4 102.7 29.1 29.6
Core Brands4 397.0 407.8 +1.0% -0.7% 584 608
Current Brand Portfolios
1 – SSS – Same Stores Sales, SSSG – Same Stores Sales Growth
2 – Underlying figures quoted in this presentation exclude marketing funds & one-off costs (see FY25 Results Presentation for full reconciliations).
3 – SSS & Domestic outlets metrics for QSR are inclusive of Rack’em Bones BBQ Ribs as this brand operates within an existing Crust outlet
4 – Underlying Revenue and Underlying EBITDA are allocated down to a segment level only
Gloria Jean's Donut King Beefy's CIBO Brumby's Michel's Café2U Crust Rack’em Bones Pizza Capers Firehouse Subs
CCB
QSR
Core
4
The Franchising Partnership
RFG is a multi-brand franchisor that helps franchisees build their own business under an RFG brand.
Both RFG and its franchisees share common goals:
- Increase store-level sales, directly increasing franchisee top line.
- The inherent value of RFG’s brands and a centralised support offering helps incentivised franchisees drive
revenue in local settings, increasing RFG revenue via proportional royalties and the supply of coffee & food.
- RFG also pools franchisee marketing capital to maximise impact via efficient, targeted spend.
- Increase store-level profitability, the result of incentivised franchisees realising store-level sales growth combined
with RFG’s training, support systems, and scaled engagement with suppliers and landlords.
- Improved franchisee profitability supports franchise resale value and allows RFG to further grow its brand
networks, generating additional revenue via initial franchise fees along with further profitability
improvements for both parties.
- The Multi-Site Operator (MSO) program continues to produce results, with 4 high-performing operators added to the
program, securing a pipeline of 20 outlets over the next 3 years (5 of which were delivered in FY25).
RFG does well when its franchisees do well
RFG 2025 AGM – 27 November 2025 5
FY25 Highlights
Brand resiliency demonstrated through difficult trading conditions
RFG 2025 AGM – 27 November 2025
Domestic Network Sales
$505.4m +0.3% YoY1
Same Store Sales (SSS)
$455.7m -0.2% YoY
Domestic Outlets
722 -19 YoY
Domestic network sales and SSS were flat
despite difficult & shifting trading conditions
through the year (cost of living pressures, shift to
prioritise value), reflecting the underlying
resilience of RFG’s brands.
The strongest brand by SSSG3 was Beefy’s (+5.1%
vs pre acquisition trading) while Crust SSSG in
4Q25 of +5.5% was driven by new brand
initiatives.
Domestic outlet numbers fell by 19 across FY25,
with a net decline of 32 outlets across CCB
Brands (primarily from the closure of non-core
outlets and low performing Gloria Jeans outlets)
and a net increase of 13 stores across QSR
Brands. International trading outlets reduced to
529 following the sale of Café 2U and The
Coffee Guy in the UK during the year.
Underlying Revenue growth of +13.6% was
largely supported by the full year contribution
and growth of Beefy's.
Underlying EBITDA rose +1.7% while Underlying
NPAT fell -16.3% on an equal blend of higher
D&A, Finance Costs, and Tax Expense.
Underlying Revenue2
$102.7m +13.6% YoY
Underlying EBITDA2
$29.6m +1.7% YoY
Underlying NPAT2
$13.3m -16.3% YoY
Key Growth Horizons
Firehouse Subs partnership
Beefy’s expansion
Strategy
Corporate Stores reset
Gloria Jean’s brand refresh
1 – YoY = Year on year
2 - Underlying figures quoted in this presentation exclude marketing funds & one-off costs (see FY25 Results Presentation for full reconciliations).
3 - Beefy’s Same Stores Sales Growth excludes Gympie which was impacted by the Gympie ByPass and distorts the normal trading pattern. Including Gympie, SSS
for all 9 stores was 1.5%
6
Our Strategy
Realise value of 700+ domestic store network & strong growth horizons
RFG 2025 AGM – 27 November 2025
Enhance
Healthy Network
Scale Brands to 200+ outlets
Brand Health & Innovation
Enhanced Stores
Leveraging Digital
Grow
Beefy’s Pies
Firehouse Subs
International
Investment Pillars
1. Clear customer opportunity
2. Pathway to 200+ outlets
3. Simple operating model
4. Low capital investment
5. Vertical integration
Status
Core Brands Network sales growth
(+3.7% 1Q26)
Donut King (194 outlets at 1Q26),
Crust (140), Gloria Jeans (127)
Rolling production pipeline
Initial Glorange success
Targeted marketing, screen growth
Status
+3 stores in YTD FY26 to 16 currently
First store to launch mid FY26
GJ’s Turkey performing well, Turkey
Hub established
Appropriately-resource growth
horizons while maximising efficiency
7
Gloria Jean’s Refresh – Glorange
Strong performance from 2 sites operating new Gloria Jean’s format
RFG 2025 AGM – 27 November 2025
Goulburn Gloria Jean’s
Former Michel’s Patisserie site transitioned to Gloria
Jean’s via Glorange refurbishment.
Generated +36.6% SSSG in the first 8 weeks of trade
post refurbishment vs PCP (being pre-refurbishment).
Shepperton Gloria Jean’s
New Shepperton store opened under the Glorange
format.
Trading +26.3% above non-drive-thru brand average
since opening.
1 – PCP = Prior Comparative Period 8
Brand Innovation
Insight-led innovation driving customer growth
RFG 2025 AGM – 27 November 2025
Donut King Premium Donuts are the
ongoing consumer insight led
innovation focus for the brand.
• +5% increase in brand
consideration1.
• Premium category +178% vs PCP2.
• New Premium and Christmas
range launches +17% versus two
weeks prior to launch.
Crust Meat Deluxe collection
created an elevated twist on the
Meat Deluxe pizza with three new
pizzas: Truffle Deluxe, Aloha Deluxe,
and Fiery Deluxe.
• $1.3m in network sales.
• 57K units, all at $1 higher RRP
than standard menu items.
Crust Free Delivery Thursdays for
direct orders (ran July and August).
Thursday results:
• CC +1.2% vs PCP, +12.5% YoY.
• AWS +1.5% vs PCP, +13.6% YoY.
• Crust ranked #1 for “Free Delivery
Thursday” on search ahead of
Guzman, Grill’d, and Dominos.
1 - Tracksuit brand tracking Q4 FY25
2 - Total category sales 3/3/25 - 1/09/25 VS 4/3/24 - 1/09/24
9
Balance Sheet
Stable balance sheet with growth funding in place
RFG 2025 AGM – 27 November 2025
Net Debt1 Net Debt remains stable and well within
covenants, with the current figure of
$9.0m.
There is a current focus on ensuring the
cost structure is appropriately balancing
targeted investment in new growth
opportunities with related revenue growth
expectations.
Lease payments are reducing on legacy
site resolutions and the Company Store
strategic shift.
Fully-franked dividends remain a key
target for the Board when appropriate,
with franking credits of $51.0m.
Unused tax losses stand at $100.8m for a
taxation benefit of $30.2m (30% tax rate).
Underlying EBITDA (LTM2)
Net Debt / Underlying EBITDA (LTM)
Free Cash Flow (post leases)3
1 – Net Debt – Defined as Gross Debt less Unrestricted Cash & Equivalents
2 – LTM = Last Twelve Months
3 – FCF = Operating Cash Flow – Capex – Lease Payments
10
1Q26 Trading Update
Network SSS positive, Core Brands strengthening
RFG 2025 AGM – 27 November 2025
Network Sales ($m) SSSG1 Trading Outlets AWS ($k)1,2 ATV ($)2
1Q25 1Q26 1Q25 1Q26 1Q25 1Q26 1Q25 1Q26 1Q25 1Q26
Café, Coffee, Bakery (CCB) 93.5 91.8 +1.0% -0.1% 478 448 16.9 17.2 10.05 10.46
Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) 34.6 35.8 -4.7% +2.9% 249 263 18.4 18.7 44.01 44.49
Total 128.2 127.6 -0.7% +0.8% 727 711 17.3 17.6 12.69 13.32
Core Brands 101.7 105.5 -1.1% +0.9% 588 608 16.5 16.8 13.33 13.97
Core Brands
- Network Sales growth of 3.7% and SSSG of 0.9% was driven by growth in Beefy's and Crust as key marketing initiatives drove ATV and customer
count increases.
- Core Brands Trading Outlets were up 20 on PCP, primarily following the acquisition of CIBO Espresso.
- Crust SSSG of +4.1% remains strong, alongside Beefy’s SSSG3 of +5.8%.
- Gloria Jean’s SSSG of -0.2% and Donut King SSSG of -0.2% reflect challenging trading conditions in these categories, in particular in shopping
centres.
- The first Firehouse Subs store is expected to launch in FY26, with a current focus on flagship site selection and supply chain set up.
Total
- Declines in Total Network Sales (-0.4%) and Total Trading Outlets (-2.5%) are reflective of non-core brand outlet closures (28 sites) and company
store reset strategy.
- Improving SSSG of +0.8% reflects the positive growth in Beefy’s and Crust.
- 44% of the 50 targeted company store transitions to franchise partners have been either agreed or completed, with a further 4 sites exited.
1 – SSSG and AWS metrics for QSR are inclusive of Rack’em Bones BBQ Ribs as this brand operates within an existing Crust outlet
2 – AWS = Average Weekly Sales, ATV = Average Transaction Value
3 – Same Store Sales growth excludes Gympie which was impacted by the Gympie ByPass and distorts the normal trading pattern. Including Gympie, SSSG was 3.2%
4 – All figures are for the 13 weeks ending 26 September 2025 compared to PCP
11
Share your feedback
Discover