Nabi Saleh

Nabi Saleh is an Iranian Australian businessman and commodities trader, known for his role in purchasing Gloria Jean's Coffees and taking it world wide. He also currently serves as an elder of the Hillsong Church.^[1]

Biography

Saleh was born in Iran and grew up in various countries including India.^[2] His family background in involved in the tea business (from his mother's side). He is married to Angela with daughters Nicole and Danielle, both of whom also work for Gloria Jean's.^[3] He holds a master's degree in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.^[2]

Saleh followed his wife-to-be Angela to Australia in 1973. Lacking local work experience, he went to Papua New Guinea to help establish tea plantations^[2] with Australian New Guinea (ANG) Holdings. He oversaw the marketing and manufacturing of tea and coffee in Papua New Guinea and continues to consult with the Australian and PNG governments.^[4]

From 1978, Saleh developed Asco, a medium-sized coffee company from revenues of $250,000 to $15 million. Asco was then acquired by Burns Philp.^[4] He then started Columbia Coffee and Tea^[4] in 1983, Tea and Coffee Traders in 1986, and in 1989 established Maranatha Import Exports, representing ConAgra Foods in Australia.^[2] Maranatha supplied supermarket chains Woolworths, Coles, Franklins and David's Holdings.^[3]

Saleh also worked for Traveland International, where he was responsible for the procurement of hotel rooms on a worldwide basis.

In 1995, he purchased Gloria Jean's Coffees and a year later he formed Jireh International Pty Ltd, which now holds the global rights to Gloria Jeans' franchising.^[5]

• Buys direct from growers, pays a fair price, supports Rainforest Alliance because he believes all companies should be socially minded for the benefit of humanity.^[6]
• traded commodities (coffee, tea and cocoa)^[2]
• grows own coffee trees in backyard^[2]

Saleh became a Christian in 1978 at a Kenneth Copeland convention,^[2] is a Pentecostal Christan,^[4] and is a board member of Hillsong Church.

Gloria Jean's history

The Gloria Jean’s Coffees story began in 1979 in a small town just north of Chicago, USA where the company’s namesake, Gloria Jean Kvetko and her husband Ed saw the opportunity to offer specialty gourmet coffees in a warm and friendly atmosphere. With appreciation for quality coffee growing, the concept became a success and Gloria Jean’s Coffees outlets opened around the USA.

In 1993 Gloria Jean and Ed sold the franchise for an estimated US$40 million and the company began its expansion offshore – a journey that would later take a remarkable turn to make the company an Australian success story.

In 1995, Nabi Saleh, an Australian businessman internationally regarded for his coffee knowledge and expertise, visited the USA to experience the Gloria Jean’s Coffees brand first hand. Nabi and his business partner Peter Irvine subsequently bought the Master Franchise for Australia and the first Australian Gloria Jean’s Coffees store was opened in Miranda, Sydney in 1996.

By 2004 Gloria Jean’s Coffees had opened more than 200 coffee houses across Australia and became a national brand with coffee houses present in every Australian state and territory. With success accomplished at home, Nabi and Peter set their sights on achieving their vision to make Gloria Jean’s Coffees the most loved and respected coffee house in the world.

At the end of 2004, Nabi and Peter had purchased the international branding and roasting rights for all countries outside of the U.S. making Gloria Jean’s Coffees an Australian owned global brand overnight.

Four years later, the story has come full circle. In early 2009 Gloria Jean’s Coffees International affiliate company, Praise International North America Inc, completed negotiations to buy Gloria Jean’s Coffees U.S. retail and franchise operations, consisting of 102 coffee houses in 24 states, from its current U.S. owner.

Today, Gloria Jean’s Coffees has opened 1050 coffee houses in 48 markets all over the world.

• offered master franchise for Australia in 1993^[6]
• 1995 had a dream which led to the vision, mission and values of the company; bought the master franchise for Australia^[6]
• November 1996 - opened first two stores (Miranda & East Gardens); losing money, ineffective model (china and crockery oriented)^[6]
• Changed model over next 18 months^[6]
• in 2000 bought the NZ franchise
• in 2004/2005 bought global brand
• now in more than 50 nations with 30 operational
• Original founder was Gloria Jean Kvetko (hairdresser but passionate about coffee)^[6]
• built it to just under 150 stores and sold to Brothers Gourmet Coffee for $40M^[6]
• Saleh's wife Angela and daughter, Nicole, own equal shares in Tea & Coffee Traders, which owns 50% of Jireh (the owner of Gloria Jean's).

Other leadership roles

• Director of Southern Cross College of the AOG
• Director of Jerry Savelle Ministries International
• Director of Kenneth Copeland Ministries Eagle Mountain International Church
• Gourmet Foods Australia
• Petra Gourmet Coffee
• Brothers Gourmet Coffees
• Maranatha Import Export (which sells private-label coffee to supermarkets)
• Director of Tea & Coffee Traders

External links

• The coffee kings; Sunday, 24 April 2005; http://businesssunday.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=47402

References