Hudsons Coffee is an Australian chain of coffee retailers. As of August 2013, it comprises 67 stores across Australia, as well as one store at Changi Airport in Singapore. It is owned by the Emirates Group which includes Emirates Airline, the Costa Coffee franchise in the UAE, and Left Bank lounge bar and restaurants in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Southbank in Melbourne. History Hudsons Coffee was founded in December 1998 by long-time friends, Ros Hudson and Mark Hawthorne that came out from England, when they established their first outlet in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. They started the cafe as a family orientated business and normally gave generous discounts to their family members and friends. They chose the 'Hudsons' name simply to give the business an "international feel," and even considered using a stylised picture of New York City's Chrysler Building as the company logo. In August 1999, they opened their second outlet on Melbourne's Bourke Street without the competition of big multinationals that were ready to enter the market (Starbucks were yet to enter, and Gloria Jean's were looking to expand their Australian franchise, as they only had two test sites in New South Wales). In 2001, the company opened its first store outside Victoria on Adelaide's Grenfell Street (it has since moved further down the road to Currie Street), and in April 2003, that store became Hudsons' first franchised operation. Also in 2003, Hudsons Coffee commenced rolling out its first Wi-Fi hotspots within Melbourne CBD outlets, and by the end of that year the chain had expanded to 25 outlets. By August 2007, Hudsons Coffee operated 38 stores, and by January 2009, it had expanded to 47 with nearly half being franchised. It was then, in 2009, the chain was acquired by Emirates Leisure Retail (Australia) which saw the head office relocated to Emirates House in Collins Street, Melbourne. In May 2013, the chain introduced a second blend of coffee that is a darker roast with caramel undertones called, Barista's Choice. This blend is offered alongside the other established blend, Hudsons Premium Blend, which consists of a medium/dark roast and subtle hints of cocoa and vanilla. In addition to this, all blends are also available for purchase in 50g pre-ground take home bags or 1 kg of whole beans which can be ground on request. Locations Hudsons Coffee has at least one store in every Australian state and territory.