For more than a decade, Stellarossa cafés have been part of everyday life across Queensland. It’s a place where people meet, share stories, and feel at home. It’s those community connections that sparked Stellarossa’s long-standing partnership with the PA Research Foundation. What began with a personal cancer journey has grown into a network-wide movement each October, uniting staff, franchisees and customers in support of lifesaving research.
We sat down with General Manager Erin Warner to learn where it all began, how it has evolved, and why the cause remains so close to their heart.
Q: For those who may not know, can you tell us a little about Stellarossa and what you do?
Erin: Stellarossa was founded in Brisbane in 2009 and today we have more than 24 cafés across Queensland. Each café is independently owned and reflects its local community, but they all share the same purpose: to deliver the complete guest experience with premium service, delicious meals and beautifully crafted coffee. At our core, we want to be your local café - warm, welcoming and genuinely connected to the people we serve.
Q: How did your partnership with the PA Research Foundation begin?
Erin: Our relationship with the PA Research Foundation began in 2015. As we learned about the Foundation’s work in medical research and patient care, it became clear how strongly it aligned with our values. We realised that we could bring our community together around a cause that truly matters, and the partnership grew organically from there.
Q: What inspired Stellarossa to support this particular cause?
Erin: Over the years, our cafés have heard countless stories of illness, treatment and resilience. Those conversations stay with you. But our connection to the cause became personal in 2015 when the wife of one of our co-founders was diagnosed with breast cancer. While she is now living her best life, that experience sparked our first Project Pink campaign. Every October, customers and team members share heartfelt stories and this reminds us why this matters. It’s become a legacy we’re proud to carry.
Q: How has the partnership evolved over time?
Erin: What started as a single “Donate & Win” initiative has grown into a deeply embedded part of our culture. Each October, cafés activate the campaign in their own way, whether that’s selling pink-themed merchandise, hosting trivia nights or simply turning a coffee purchase into a contribution. Over time, our teams and customers have become more engaged, and our understanding of the Foundation’s work has deepened. It’s now a long-term commitment grounded in shared purpose.
Q: Why is supporting research and patient care at the PA Hospital important to Stellarossa?
Erin: Our cafés are places where people open up. Health challenges, whether their own or a loved one’s, are often part of those conversations. Supporting the PA Research Foundation means we’re helping advance research that directly affects the wellbeing of our communities. It’s support that feels immediate, relevant and heartfelt.
Q: How do your values align with the Foundation’s mission?
Erin: Community is at the heart of Stellarossa. Everything we do revolves around creating positive experiences and human connection. Supporting the PA Research Foundation is a natural extension of that. It allows us to care for our communities in a way that goes beyond the café environment and into something bigger.
Q: In what ways does Stellarossa support the Foundation?
Erin: Our annual “Donate & Win” campaign is a major fundraising driver, as are our pink merchandise items, where 100% of proceeds go directly to the Foundation. We also host Cups for Courage Day, where wearing pink and purchasing a hot drink helps raise funds. Many cafés create their own community events, such as raffles, brunches and giveaways, which bring people together and increase awareness.
Q: Are team members personally involved?
Erin: Absolutely. Staff across all generations get behind the cause, encouraging donations, sharing information and driving the campaign with enthusiasm. It’s become a meaningful part of our yearly rhythm and a chance for team members to participate in something with real social impact.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of the partnership?
Erin: Seeing how our franchise partners, teams and customers rally together. When people are given a simple, meaningful way to contribute, the response is incredible. The sense of shared purpose is genuinely inspiring.
Q: Any standout moments?
Erin: Hosting one of our Franchise Group Meetings at the Translational Research Institute was a real highlight. It gave our franchise partners a window into the research their fundraising supports. We’ve also appreciated having the Project Pink team visit our cafés and events - those connections deepen our sense of pride in the partnership.
Q: What difference do you feel your support has made?
Erin: Our biggest impact has been creating awareness and meaningful conversations within our cafés. We’ve made it easy for people to contribute, and in doing so, we’ve built stronger connections between our teams, customers and community. That sense of shared purpose is incredibly powerful.
Q: Why are corporate partnerships important for organisations like the PA Foundation?
Erin: Businesses connect with people in their everyday environments: over coffee, in line for breakfast, during a chat with a barista. That visibility creates opportunities for foundations to reach more people. When the values align, as they do between Stellarossa and PAF, the impact can be amplified.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you see the partnership growing?
Erin: As Stellarossa expands, our ability to support the Foundation will expand with us. We plan to introduce new campaigns, grow community involvement and explore more fundraising and awareness initiatives. Project Pink has become a core part of who we are, and we’re excited to build on it.
Q: Finally, what message would you share with organisations considering partnering with the Foundation?
Erin: You don’t need to start big. What matters most is starting with heart. The PA Research Foundation’s work is meaningful and deeply connected to the lives of people in our communities. A partnership like this doesn’t just do good, it feels good, too.
