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Tag: bar

  • South Korea’s coffee shop boom – 1 in 10 are losing money

    South Korea’s coffee shop boom – 1 in 10 are losing money

    The number of coffee shops in South Korea continues to grow. More than 71,000 coffee shops are now operating nationwide, with 14,000 openingsz last year alone.

    According to a report by KB Financial Group Management Research Institute, the increase in the number of coffee shops is because the number of new shops opening has dramatically outpaced the number of shop closures.

    In 2009, 27,000 new shops were opened and 4000 closed. On the other hand, 14,000 opened last year and 9000 closed.

    Meanwhile, 11 percent of local coffee shops were found to be operating in the red. This rate is higher than the 4.8 percent of restaurants that are also unprofitable.

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  • Starbucks will accept Bitcoin from next year

    Starbucks will accept Bitcoin from next year

    Global coffee chain Starbucks is now on track to accept payments in the world’s best-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin.

    The firm is partnering with Wall Street-listed Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) which will begin testing its consumer app Bakkt in Starbucks stores in the first half of next year in as many as 30,000 Starbucks outlets globally.

    Starbucks hinted it might embrace cryptocurrencies early last year when founder and former president Howard Schultz told an earnings call that he believed one or a few legitimate cryptocurrencies would emerge in the future.

    But at the time he said: “I don’t believe that bitcoin is going to be a currency today or in the future.”

    Starbucks will serve as Bakkt’s first merchant client after more than a year of reportedly slow setup due to delays in its futures exchange launch. The coffee chain began researching the Bakkt app with ICE in August last year.

    Mike Blandina, chief product officer with Bakkt said in a blog post that the companies had set up a strong team of payments engineers and is now nearing completion of the core payments and compliance platform.

    “We’re now focused on the development of the consumer app and merchant portal, as well as testing with our first launch partner, Starbucks, which we expect in the first half of next year.”

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  • % Arabica launches into the UK market with the opening of two London stores

    % Arabica launches into the UK market with the opening of two London stores

     Lifestyle-orientated Japanese specialty coffee brand % Arabica is delighted to announce its launch into the UK, with two London outposts officially opening on 1st November 2019. % Arabica will open its flagship store in popular East London hotspot Broadway Market and Covent Garden will see its sister site situated on King Street. Covent Garden is currently in its soft launch phase.

    % Arabica is a brand recognized globally thanks to its distinctive % logo (reminiscent of coffee cherries on the branch of a coffee plant), inimitable store aesthetic and most importantly the brand’s high-quality specialty coffee menu, all brewed on state of the art equipment. The brand’s international acclaim is a testament to founder Kenneth Shoji’s four core values:

    • #Seetheworldthroughcoffee – The notion of Kenbun (which loosely translated means ‘to see and to hear’ in Japanese) led founder Kenneth Shoji to create this brand motto. The company aims to open stores in amazing destinations globally so that young baristas can see the world, set personal goals and one day challenge the world with their own ideas. Twice a year, % Arabica invite baristas from around the world together for a program of events in different cities to give them an opportunity to travel, explore and learn more about coffee and its global reach.
    • Timelessness – % Arabica remains true to its brand identity of offering the best beans, the best service and the best state of the art equipment and it does not need to follow or adapt to fads and trends. Kenneth believes ‘something good does not have to change’ so the drinks menu is simple and minimal. Japan is famed for having many 100-year-old companies and remaining true to % Arabica core values it will bring sustainable long term stability to the company, customers and supply chain.
    • Identity – Aesthetically % Arabica spaces showcase the highest attention to detail; a minimal yet purposeful design and all original features, down to even the light switches, door handles, and amplifiers. Each store places wood-clad custom Slayer machines at centre stage, complemented by bespoke seating, mirrors and flooring. Unique to the London stores is the addition of original Smeed Dean Yellow brickwork, a nod to the traditional craftsmanship of the local community as % Arabica always aspires to achieve; celebrating the identity of every country in which new stores open.
    • Japanese sense of beauty – 
% Arabica celebrates its Japanese roots by highlighting the culture’s hardworking, simplistic and functional ideologies. Baristas are encouraged to work with Teinei (being mindful of your surroundings) and not wasting a single movement or moment in their workflow. Every cup of coffee served must be made to the best of their abilities to showcase the quality of components in the cup and of the dedication of every member of the global team that played their part in bringing % Arabica to London in 2019.

    % Arabica offers a concise coffee menu placing the greatest emphasis on solely offering the world’s best beans. Customers are invited to choose between the % Arabica blend (espresso blend combining Brazilian and Ethiopian beans selected for their unique characteristics) or a rotating Single Origin offering. The London menu offers Espresso based coffees (espresso, espresso macchiato, Americano, caffe latte, caffe mocha and the brand’s unique Spanish latte) and drip based beverages by Chemex.

    Leading the way in the “New Wave Coffee” movement, % Arabica produces and roasts its own coffee and the Broadway Market flagship will house its own roasting machine allowing for customers to co-create their own blend in accordance to their distinct taste profile. % Arabica is renowned for its high-performance Slayer Espresso machines which have been customized and built by hand in the USA along with offering a traditional pure Chemex serve for worldwide coffee connoisseurs. Each barista is trained in the brand’s popular Latte Art designs.

    % Arabica was founded by Kenneth Shoji, who became enthralled with the emerging coffee culture whilst studying at UCLA in the early 90’s; Starbucks exploded on to the scene and brought it with a new appreciation of experimental serves and changed the way in which we consume caffeine. Kenneth progressed to training as a barista before taking it one step further and buying a coffee farm in Hawaii. His passion led him to launch a green bean trading company and become a distributor for the technologically advanced Slayer espresso machines, Marco Uber Boiler, and Chemex in Asian markets. Realising his dream to open an international brand, % Arabica was born. To this day, Kenneth remains the creative mastermind and personally selects all of the locations, designs the stores with his preferred partners and visits coffee origins to select all of the coffee beans.  Through an exclusive partnership with Latorre & Dutch, they are planning to set up washing stations in coffee origins such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Colombia, and Indonesia.

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  • Nespresso launches farm-to-table sustainability initiative

    Nespresso launches farm-to-table sustainability initiative

    Capsule coffee brand Nespresso is inviting business partners to join an exclusive farm-to-table culinary experience designed by Chef Vicky Cheng, owner and executive chef of Michelin-starred Vea Restaurant and Lounge in Hong Kong.

    To further encourage the public to participate in the Nespresso’s sustainability initiatives, Cheng will extend the unique farm-to-table experience to the acclaimed restaurant with a special gift. From November 11 to December 14, diners will receive a complimentary jar of rosella jam, made with rosella grown using recycled coffee grounds at the Nespresso Farm.

    As the chief ambassador of Nespresso Hong Kong, Cheng will be creating a one-of-a-kind luncheon using fresh vegetables harvested straight from the Nespresso Farm.

    Guests will not only indulge in the gourmet-coffee pairing menu but will also see how used coffee grounds from recycled Nespresso capsules are repurposed as compost and given new life.

    “As chef ambassador of Nespresso, I have had the opportunity to travel to the brand’s headquarters and even to the coffee farms in Colombia,” said Cheng. “From these experiences, I have witnessed the brand’s deep commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability, which are shared values that I believe are key to delivering the ultimate experiences to customers … It is a delight to be able to craft this Nespresso farm-to-table menu and cook using top quality, fresh ingredients grown from repurposed coffee grounds; I hope this inspires people to join the sustainability journey.”

    Nespresso capsules are fully recyclable, from the aluminum capsules to the coffee grounds within them. The brand’s current local capsule recycling rate is running at 24 percent. Club members can drop off their used capsules at any Nespresso Boutique or use the Recycling@Home service – a doorstep collection system where used capsules are picked up when a new order is delivered.

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  • Contaminated water forces seven Vietnamese Starbucks stores to close

    Contaminated water forces seven Vietnamese Starbucks stores to close

    Coffee chain Starbucks has temporarily closed seven outlets in Hanoi, Vietnam as the city copes with serious oil contamination of its water supply.

    According to a customer service staff member, the Starbucks Hanoi stores are closed in areas where water comes from the Da River, including Cau Giay, Ha Dong and Nam Tu Liem districts. The coffee chain has not confirmed a reopening date.

    The contamination traces back to a truck seen dumping used oil into a mountain creek in Phu Minh Commune, Hoa Binh Province last week which has led to contaminated tap water for about 1 million Hanoi residents.

    While Starbucks is not alone in closing stores, other major coffee chains and eateries in the contaminated areas have arranged alternative sources of water and remain open.

    Local news media report that tap water has now passed safety tests, but Hanoi officials advise consumers against drinking or cooking with it.

    Meanwhile, there are widespread reports of bottled water prices soaring in the city as people rush to buy safe water. While tap water in Vietnam is not considered safe to drink it is generally acceptable to use it for cooking.

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  • Vietnam coffee chains ready for a marketshare battle

    Vietnam coffee chains ready for a marketshare battle

    Major Vietnam coffee chains are targeting new customers by adopting take-away business models on city streets.

    In Ho Chi Minh City, the largest of the local Vietnam coffee chains, Highlands Coffee, which is majority-owned by Jollibee Foods, has been selling its product in coffee booths set up at roadsides from 7am – 9am when traffic is at its busiest.

    According to Highland’s staff, the company will be building more sidewalk trolleys to serve the increasing needs of customers on the road, most of whom drive motorcycles. Instead of going into the coffee shops, customers now can just stop on the roadside and grab a coffee to go.

    Other major coffee brands, including Passio and Vinacafe, set up morning coffee booths on some busy streets a few months ago. As the new model is easy to run and needs low-cost investment, the Vietnam coffee chains have been able to lower their prices to attract more customers.

    Targeting low- and middle-income customers, Vietnamese coffee company Trung Nguyen has recently launched a small-scale coffee franchise called E-Coffee. According to Vo Thi Ha, communications director of Trung Nguyen Group, the takeaway coffee model only costs around one-eighth of a normal store’s investment.

    “As the mid and high-end segments become increasingly saturated, the affordable and low-income groups are increasingly seen as potential revenue generators. This consumer segment is large and easy to serve, so could generate big profits because of low investment costs, as long as businesses find the right model,” a marketing expert in Ho Chi Minh City told local newspaper VN Express.

    However, Coffee Bike director, Do Quoc Anh, described the current street-trolley coffee business model as unprofessional and unsustainable. He said if it was not developed properly and carefully, it would die out as a trend.

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  • Squarestreet launches coffee concept in Sheung Wan

    Squarestreet launches coffee concept in Sheung Wan

    Scandinavian lifestyle accessories label Squarestreet is presenting a new in-store coffee concept centered around the tradition of “fika” at its Sheung Wan boutique.

    “Fika” is a Swedish verb that describes the act of meeting to drink coffee while enjoying traditional pastries in any home or workplace in Sweden. It is an integral part of Swedish coffee culture.

    The Kaffe venue offers classic Swedish homemade pastries paired with Swedish-roasted beans in a cosy and intimate environment. The shop also offers a selection of local, Swedish and in-house designed accessories and homewares. Its takeaway utensils are all compostable and its cup sleeves are decorated with the classic folk art called “Kurbits” from the Dalarna region in central Sweden.

    All pastries are made by a Swedish baker following traditional recipes, and the cafe’s beans are delivered weekly, three days after roasting, to keep the coffee as fresh as possible.

    “I wanted to offer a new type of cafe experience through Kaffe,” said Kaffe founder and curator Alexis Holm. “Having a ‘fika’ is something special, a moment with friends, a good book, or treating your grandma to her favourite pastry. Coffee is only the excuse, it’s what happens when people have coffee that matters.”

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  • Starbucks Japan lets customers pay with a pen

    Starbucks Japan lets customers pay with a pen

    Starbucks Japan has launched a new pen-shaped digital wallet called “Starbucks Touch The Pen” allowing customers to buy their coffee without taking out their wallets.

    The pen’s design resembles a drip coffee machine and comes in three colours – black, silver, and white. The new cashless-payment device is run by NFC (near-field communications) technology through FeliCa chip and contains “coffee brown” gel ink, meaning it works as a digital wallet and has the same function as a normal pen.

    Starbucks’ Touch The Pen will cost ¥4000 (US$37) including ¥1000 preloaded credit when it is available to purchase online next week.

    Before The Pen, the cafe chain had three other digital payment models including The Drip (a key fob), The Cup (a phone case) and The Hug (a keyring handbag).

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  • Starbucks Singapore releases mobile program at selected stores

    Starbucks Singapore releases mobile program at selected stores

    Starbucks has launched its mobile order & pay (MO&P) service at 32 selected Singapore outlets ahead of a city-wide launch by March next year.

    MO&P allows customers to order in advance and pick up at their chosen Starbucks store. The new feature is also compatible with the company’s loyalty program through the Starbucks mobile app.

    “Innovation has always been a key ingredient of Starbucks’ culture and we are ready to take on the challenge of introducing new technologies and tools, like Mobile Order & Pay, to help make our customers’ experience at Starbucks even more enjoyable,” said Patrick Kwok, GM at Starbucks Singapore.

    “We are consistently on the lookout for new ways to enhance our retail offerings and experience for our local customers, meeting their needs and wants,” he added.

    Starbucks Singapore has marked this year as its “Year of Innovation” after the launch of its flagship store at Jewel Changi Airport. The company also plans to bring on board more partners to diversify its products.

    The Starbucks Singapore mobile application was launched in Singapore in 2012. With the mobile app, its customers can customise their drink, collect stars for their loyalty program and pay for in-store orders.

  • The Coffee Academics launches world’s first Nitro Coffee Bar

    The Coffee Academics launches world’s first Nitro Coffee Bar

    Hong Kong’s specialty coffee chain The Coffee Academics is launching its latest retail concept the world’s first single-origin Nitro Coffee Bar on September 16 at K11 Musea.

    The Nitro Coffee Bar is the first of its kind to put single-origin specialty coffee at the forefront of product offerings, raising awareness of the specialty coffee value chain. The bar highlights The Coffee Academics’s moves to “drive more value to the source” via direct-trade and other social enterprise programs.

    “The Coffee Academics’ new concept at K11 Musea pushes the boundaries of specialty coffee by incorporating the nitro technology and tapas pairing into the coffeehouse experience,” said The Coffee Academics founder Jennifer Liu.

    In celebration of the opening, The Coffee Academics is offering a rare Yemeni coffee, recently acquired via the largest Yemen coffee auction to-date, with only 1500 cups total – exclusive worldwide at the K11 Musea store. With 60–70 percent of the FOB price going directly to the farmer, The Coffee Academics’ participation in this particular Yemen Coffee Auction was made to deliver a meaningful contribution to the revival of an ancient coffee civilization and the rebuilding of a war-torn nation.

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  • Taiwan’s Crowd-pleasing KiKi Noodle Bar Launching in Hong Kong at IFC Mall

    Taiwan’s Crowd-pleasing KiKi Noodle Bar Launching in Hong Kong at IFC Mall

    Taiwan’s famed KiKi Noodle Bar (KiKi Tea) is launching in Hong Kong in late-July at ifc Mall in Central. In collaboration with renowned Hong Kong hospitality group Lai Sun Dining, the brand expands internationally to Hong Kong following last year’s phenomenal successful debut in Taipei – endorsed by celebrities including superstar actress Shu Qi.

    The Hong Kong flagship also opens hot-on-the-heels of a Shanghai branch last month.

    International expansion of dedicated KiKi Noodle Bar (KiKi Tea)branches builds on the Hong Kong success story of the brand’s iconic sun-dried KiKi Noodles, handmade from just flour and water, popular for being 100% natural and healthy, and authentic Taiwanese tea and bubbles sensation KiKi Tea.

    To celebrate the Hong Kong launch, Michelin three-starred Chef Albert Au Kwok Keung has created two exclusive KiKi noodle dishes complementing the brand’s menu of signature dishes and KiKi teas.

    Chef Au’s adaptation of KiKi’s popular sun-dried, handmade noodles is showcased with KiKi Meat Dumpling Mixed Noodles, Scallion Oil; and classic Chinese favourite, Abalone and Fish Maw Noodles in Chicken Soup.

    Signature dishes at KiKi Noodle Bar (KiKi Tea) meanwhile include ‘instagrammable’ crowd-pleaser Stir-fried Minced Pork Mixed Noodles with Chive Flowers and Fermented Black Bean, with black beans sprinkled atop to mimic fly heads, mixed with crunching chive flowers, chili and savoury stir-fried minced pork; Sichuan Spicy Tofu Noodles in Soup, Duck Blood and Sliced Pork packing a punch of spice; and comforting classic KiKi Dan Dan Noodles.

    Complementing dishes is a KiKi Tea menu of bubble-teas brewed from a traditional Taiwanese recipe, headlined by classic favourites such as refreshing Pineapple Green Teapresso; and Winter Melon Tea, pairing with Sichuan-pepper-flavoured “pearls” and fluffy cream mousse.

    To celebrate the ifc Mall opening, new tea specialties to beat the summer heat are also to be unveiled. Peach Oolong Tea topped with Mango Cream Mousse and Coconut Jelly is made with signature Taiwanese Irwin mango, for distinct sweetness and refreshing taste; and Winter Melon Tea, Aiyu Jelly and Coconut Jelly  is inspired by Taiwan’s favourite summer cooler, winter melon tea.

    The sweet craze extends to classic tea-style desserts including Earl Grey Chiffon Cake with Brown Sugar Pearls and Chestnut Mont Blanc. 

    KiKi Noodle Bar (KiKi Tea) seats 32 over around 700 sq ft on Podium Level Two of ifc Mall. Interior design is in neutral and rustic colour for a sense of Zen courtyard minimalism as a restful haven in the heart of Central.  Communal oak tables foster a sense of warmth encouraging customer interaction.

    A pre-opening promotion is launched at KiKi Tea @ Sun’s Bazaar at Pacific Place mall offers diners spending at least HK$500 vouchers worth HK$50 to spend at the new KiKi Noodle Bar (KiKi Tea) at ifc Mall.

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  • Arabica Singapore Opens

    Arabica Singapore Opens

    Coffee chain % Arabica Singapore is to open three stores initially, the first at 56 Arab Street on June 28.

    After many delays due to construction and interior works, the Arab Street outlet of the Japanese coffee house will opened with seating for 20 and featuring a minimalist white design.

    Two other stores will follow at Chip Bee Gardens at Holland Village, and 313@Somerset on Orchard Road.

    There are plans to serve food at the Chip Bee Gardens outlet.

    Established in 2011, % Arabica has 16 stores in Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, the Philippines and China.

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  • Japanese-born Pronto Caffe & Bar is opening in Singapore

    Japanese-born Pronto Caffe & Bar is opening in Singapore

    Japanese-Italian cafe chain Pronto Caffe & Bar is opening in Singapore this week.

    Set to open on Thursday (June 13) at Capital Square, the outlet will serve breakfast sets, pastas, pizzas, desserts and coffee by day; and alcohol and bar food by night.

    The menu features a mixture of Japanese-influenced dishes, including Japanese Style of Pork and Spicy Greens, along with more traditional western fare, such as Eggplant with Bacon in Tomato Sauce pasta.

    Green tea beverages are available as well as coffee.

    First opened in 1988, and jointly owned by Suntory and UCC, Pronto now has more than 260 outlets in Japan.

    There are plans to open more outlets in Singapore next year.

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  • Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures acquires Restaurants

    Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures acquires Restaurants

    Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures has fully acquired local Philippines restaurant chain Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken.

    The firm has also recently signed a memorandum of understanding to buy artisanal pizza brand Project Pie, including all assets and intellectual property. The brand was previously owned by Shakey’s parent firm Century Pacific Group and Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC.

    As of June 1, Shakey’s is now the owner-operator of all Peri Peri stores owned by the company, as well as brand owner and franchisor of the remaining outlets.

    Peri-Peri now has 23 locations throughout the Philippines.

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  • Starbucks sales surge despite China Growth

    Starbucks sales surge despite China Growth

    Starbucks sales growth has surpassed expectations with a glowing earnings report released yesterday that revealed strong performance in cafes across the US and China.

    “We are especially pleased with our comparable-store sales growth in our two lead markets, the US and China,” said Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson, “where we are also continuing to drive strong new store development with industry-leading returns.”

    The firm reported a second-quarter net income of US$663.2 million, up from $660.1 million for the same period last year.

    “While much of the beverage comp-sales growth was driven by ticket, close to half of the ticket growth was from beverage mix and match,” said company CFO Pat Grismer, “demonstrating that our higher margin premium offerings resonated with customers and customers bought more beverages per transaction.”

    The release of Starbucks’ Cloud Macchiato last month, with promotional support from singer Ariana Grande, contributed to the results with “the second-most viral Starbucks campaign ever” according to Johnson. The success accords with the firm’s strategy to build on the cold-drinks business while focussing less on limited-time offerings and Frappucinos.

    The popularity of the chain’s cold drinks, along with improvements in store, saw US sales grow 4 per cent in stores opened for at least one year.

    Same store year-on-year sales grew 3 per cent in China, where the firm is facing a serious challenge from motivated competitor Luckin Coffee. “This performance is especially noteworthy when you consider the intensity of competition from discounting in China, as well as our aggressive pace of new store development,” said Johnson.

    Transactions have decreased by 1 per cent in China, most likely as a result of increased competition, which has recently forced Starbucks to introduce a fast-delivery service in partnership with Alibaba. The firm has also seen significant growth in its loyalty program, Starbucks Rewards.

    Starbucks surpassed 30,000 outlets worldwide in the second quarter, with 94 per cent of new openings occurring outside the US. A further 2100 new stores are planned for launch before the end of the current fiscal year, nearly 600 of those in China.

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