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Tag: flash coffee

  • Flash Coffee Welcomes New CEO to Drive Exciting Expansion Plans in Indonesia

    Flash Coffee Welcomes New CEO to Drive Exciting Expansion Plans in Indonesia

    Flash Coffee is gearing up for a new chapter in its growth story with the appointment of Bardon Matthew as its new chief executive officer. The company is making a strategic pivot towards Indonesia, singularly focusing on this market in an effort to enhance its turnaround and growth trajectory.

    Navigating the F&B Landscape

    With a robust track record spanning over two decades in Southeast Asia’s food and beverage sector, Matthew’s goals are explicit: to scale the business profitably and strengthen operational efficiencies. His leadership comes on the heels of pivotal strategic updates, including a decisive commitment to achieving disciplined, store-level profitability, which subsequently helped secure a fresh $3 million funding round.

    A Journey from Barista to CEO

    Matthew’s journey is as rich as the coffees Flash serves. Starting as a barista, he climbed the ranks through various esteemed establishments including Starbucks, J.Co Donuts & Coffee, Maxx Coffee, and Krispy Kreme. Most recently, he spearheaded a 230-store network at Fore Coffee during an impressive growth phase. His wealth of experience has equipped him with the insights and strategies needed to navigate the complexities of the industry.

    Bold Expansion Plans

    “I don’t believe in the status quo,” Matthew states emphatically. “With the right teams and systems, we can build for long-term success. I’m excited to scale Flash Coffee in my home market.” The ambitious plan includes scaling to over 500 stores by the end of 2025, with an immediate target of 80 locations, branching out to two new cities beyond Jakarta and Bandung. By 2026, Flash Coffee aims to have established 130 stores across Indonesia, marking an extraordinary leap on the regional retail scene.

    Will Coffee Shops Rule the Streets?

    As Flash Coffee ramps up its operations, one can’t help but wonder if the aroma of coffee will soon become an inseparable part of Indonesia’s bustling streets.

    Questions & Answers

    What are Bardon Matthew’s main goals as the new CEO of Flash Coffee?
    His primary objectives include scaling the business profitably, enhancing operational strength, and leading the company’s growth in Indonesia.

    How many stores does Flash Coffee plan to open in Indonesia?
    Flash Coffee aims to expand to over 500 stores across Indonesia, with an initial goal of 80 stores by the end of 2025.

    What is Bardon Matthew’s background in the food and beverage industry?
    Matthew has over 20 years of experience, having held leadership positions at various notable brands including Starbucks and Krispy Kreme, and most recently managed a 230-store network at Fore Coffee.

  • As it exits other markets, Flash Coffee doubles down on Indonesia

    As it exits other markets, Flash Coffee doubles down on Indonesia

    Flash Coffee is expanding its footprint in Indonesia, with new store openings planned across Jakarta and Bandung and the rollout of new food and beverage offerings.

    The coffee chain said each outlet offers a larger space with a sit-and-stay design to encourage customers to have their coffees in-store. At the same time, it launched a more user-friendly process for digital ordering on its proprietary app.

    After last year’s restructuring, the company said its main focus is now on Indonesia and franchising the brand in other countries, following the closure of Flash Coffee in other Asian markets and the sale of its brand in Thailand as a franchise.

    Flash Coffee founder and CEO David Bruinier thanked its customer base and said the company is “just getting started” on its Indonesian expansion.

    “We are now expanding our footprint in the country, with plans to add many new stores to our portfolio within the next 12 months,” he added.

    The coffee chain now operates 67 stores and reported an increase in revenue per store by over 50 percent from early this year, reaching operational profitability.

    Launched in Singapore in 2020, the “tech-driven” coffee chain is now backed by New York-based venture capital firm White Star Capital as its largest shareholder after raising US$50 million in a Series B funding round last year.

    Jakob Angele, executive chairman of Flash Coffee and venture partner at White Star Capital, said the company is pleased with the brand’s success in Indonesia.

    “Indonesia is one of the most exciting and vibrant coffee markets worldwide. Flash Coffee is uniquely positioned to serve its growing demand for high-quality coffee,” he concluded.

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  • Flash Coffee ceases operations in Singapore

    Flash Coffee ceases operations in Singapore

    Flash Coffee has shut its Singapore operations to focus on other markets, the company told CNA on Friday (Oct 13) in response to queries about its business here.

    The Singapore-based coffee chain had 11 outlets in Singapore, including one at Jurong Point where a sign on Thursday said employees were “on strike” over late salary payouts.

    “Contrary to reports, our staff in Singapore are not on ‘strike’,” the company said.

    “We ceased operations at our 11 stores, and consequently, our baristas are not required to report to work.”

    Flash Coffee said that to build a profitable and sustainable business, it decided to “further consolidate our future efforts and to double down on our most promising markets”.

    “To facilitate this renewed focus, we ceased operations in Singapore yesterday, comprising 11 stores out of our (around) 200 global stores,” it added.

    A search on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) portal showed that the company’s status was “in liquidation – creditors’ voluntary winding up”.

    Launched in 2020, Flash Coffee, with its iconic yellow storefront, also operates in Asian markets such as Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

    In 2021, it had almost 30 outlets in Singapore.

    Flash Coffee, a non-unionized company, said it is “proactively assisting” affected team members.

    “Most of our Singapore head office staff have been offered roles in other markets or with our regional team. Additionally, we are actively trying to connect our baristas with opportunities in other coffee chains,” it added.

    A union said on Friday night that Flash Coffee’s employees affected by the sudden closure of the outlets are owed outstanding salaries and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions. They also had prevailing leave entitlements.

    Salaries owed to workers comprise the balance of 75 per cent of their September salaries, as well as wages for work done until Oct 12. It also includes the encashment of remaining leave days, said the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers’ Union (FDAWU).

    “The workers engaged by the union shared that there were no explicit plans to put up any coordinated action following companies’ sharing of the situation at hand,” the FDAWU added.

    The union also said it is assisting affected members with salary-related claims and will provide job assistance support.

    CNA has contacted Flash Coffee to ask about the outstanding salaries owed to workers.

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  • Flash Coffee, Ageless Galaxy Streetwear to launch capsule collection

    Flash Coffee, Ageless Galaxy Streetwear to launch capsule collection

    Tech-powered coffee chain Flash Coffee has collaborated with lifestyle brand Ageless Galaxy Streetwear to unveil the ‘Push’n Boundaries’ collection.  The collection features five items including three streetwear-style tees, a metal pin and a sticker pack. These will be sold in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea.  According to Flash Coffee, the partnership was the idea of Ageless Galaxy CEO Tamish Aswani and Flash Coffee’s CEO and co-founder David Brun

    The collection features five items including three streetwear-style tees, a metal pin and a sticker pack. These will be sold in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

    According to Flash Coffee, the partnership was the idea of Ageless Galaxy CEO Tamish Aswani and Flash Coffee’s CEO and co-founder David Brunier. Both seek to empower people to push their boundaries in everything they do by developing a collection that embodies the philosophies of both brands.

    The two companies say the tees in the collection are made with 100 per cent cotton. The white, and black and white, tees go well with a variety of outfits, while the striking yellow long-sleeve tee has ink that changes colour when exposed to sunlight, turning from white to pink.

    Launched in 2020, when Asia’s coffee industry was hit by the first Covid-19 pandemic, Flash Coffee has operations in six markets across Asia – Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. The Singapore-headquartered chain has received investment from Rocket Internet, Delivery Hero, White Star Capital, Global Founders Capital and Conny & Co.

    Ageless Galaxy, which was established in 2013, is an Indonesian lifestyle brand offering streetwear clothes inspired by outer space exploration. The brand opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Jakarta in 2020.

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  • Flash Coffee opens Outlets in South Korea

    Flash Coffee opens Outlets in South Korea

    Flash Coffee has launched its first two South Korea stores in Seoul’s Gangnam district as part of its expansion in Asia, with two more stores scheduled to open before the year ends.

    The launch marks the brand’s sixth market in the region, after Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Spanning two stories, the new Flash Coffee flagship store is located at Sinsa, while the other store is opened in Yeoksam.

    “South Korea is filled with coffee enthusiasts and our coffee consumption rate ranks within the top 10 in the world,” said Un Koh, MD of Flash Coffee South Korea.

    “We are confident that our high-quality beverages crafted by award-winning baristas at Flash Coffee will appeal to South Korean coffee lovers.

    “Our goal is to make our specialty coffee accessible to all, so for those who’ve not come across Flash Coffee yet, you will find us brewing very soon in a location near you.”

    The two new stores opening later this year will be located in Apgujeong and Yangjae. After South Korea, Flash Coffee aims to set foot into Japan with its first store in Tokyo., having recently appointed Shu Matsuo Post as its MD in Japan.

    Flash Coffee currently operates more than 200 locations across Asia.

  • Rocket Internet-backed Flash Coffee plans Asia-wide rollout

    Rocket Internet-backed Flash Coffee plans Asia-wide rollout

    The tech-enabled coffee chain, Flash Coffee, is accelerating its Asian expansion plan, making its Hong Kong debut this month and committing to opening its first stores in Japan and South Korea later this year.

    Launched last year, Flash Coffee already operates more than 100 locations across Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The chain aims to increase its network to more than 300 stores, expanding its footprint into Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines next year.

    The Hong Kong launch follows Flash Coffee’s Series A funding round led by tech investment firm White Star Capital last April where it successfully secured US$20 million from a range of investors, including Rocket Internet, whose subsidiaries include Global Fashion Group and HelloFresh.

    Located at Golden Centre in Sheung Wan, the chain’s first Hong Kong store is – like its others – designed to “fit the needs of the ‘new normal’ and cater to a bustling lifestyle”. Customers can order through a mobile app and pay before picking the order at the store or have it delivered. Meanwhile, Flash Coffee connects its customers and baristas through individualized consumer and barista mobile apps, matching the order with a nearby pick-up outlet.

    The chain also offers a digital coffee loyalty program on the app, offering gamified challenges and personalized rewards.

    “Hong Kong is already recognized as a city that is willing to embrace technology,” said Jonathan Tsao, MD at Flash Coffee. “Over the past few decades the city has also built up a reputation for its love of premium coffee – but so far, this has only been available at premium prices.

    “Flash Coffee intends to shake things up, by offering a new coffee culture built around technology, affordability, and digitally-driven customer-focused solutions.”

    The launch of Hong Kong’s first Flash Coffee store will be followed by a series of new store openings in Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Wan Chai by the end of next month. The coffee chain aims to reach 50 stores in the territory by mid-next year.

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  • Flash Coffee to open 300 outlets after fresh funding round

    Flash Coffee to open 300 outlets after fresh funding round

    Tech-enabled coffee chain Flash Coffee has raised US$15 million in its Series A funding led by White Star Capital, aiming to launch 300 stores this year.

    The Series A round sets the total capital raised by Flash Coffee to US$20 million. Investors include Delivery Hero-backed DX Ventures, Global Founders Capital, and Conny & Co.

    The raised funds will be used for accelerating Flash Coffee’s expansion plan in Asia. According to David Brunier, CEO of Flash Coffee, the company will enter into seven new markets this year: Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

    “Our dream is to have a Flash Coffee every 500 meters in all major Asian cities,” said Brunier.

    “We will also build a regional HQ in Singapore and expand our regional tech hub in Jakarta to 50 people to support our vision of fully leveraging technology to improve customer experience, proactively drive growth and significantly increase operational efficiency.”

    Launched in January last year, Flash Coffee business model focuses on grab-and-go physical storefronts that rely on technology, allowing significant cost savings. The company now operates 50 outlets across Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.

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