Kids full of beans

By Kelly Yates
THE world franchise owner of Gloria Jean’s Coffee, Peter Irvine, visited Hillcrest Christian College last Wednesday and gave an inspirational talk to this year’s business management studies students.
This was the second time Mr Irvine has been a guest speaker at the Clyde North school.
VCE business management teacher Rob Wilson said Mr Irvine discussed his background and how the “coffee empire” began.
“The kids were inspired,” Mr Wilson said.
“Having these high-fliers in business come and talk to the students gives them something to look up to. They learnt a lot from hearing first hand from this world business leader.”
Mr Wilson said Mr Irvine and his business partner, Nabil, purchased a 10-year franchise to start Gloria Jean’s Coffee in Australia in 1995.
“A few years ago, Peter purchased the world franchise rights to Gloria Jean’s Coffee,” Mr Wilson said.
“Gloria Jean’s now has over 500 stores in Australia and is in 39 different countries.”
Mr Irvine handed out sachets of drinking chocolate and coffee to the students at the end of his presentation.