Dog Gourmet to Open 200 Gloria Jean’s Coffee Shops in China

In a move that signals growing ambition beyond steamed buns, one of China’s oldest food brands is making a bold play in the booming domestic coffee market. Dog Gourmet Group, famous for its 150-year-old baozi, is now set to become a major player in specialty coffee retail—armed with a globally recognized brand from Down Under.

Dog Gourmet has secured permanent usage rights for Gloria Jean’s Coffees in China, and plans to open 200 new stores over the next five years. The deal gives the 150-year-old dumpling brand control over one of Australia’s largest coffee chains, with existing footholds already in Shanghai, Sichuan, and Tianjin.

How Dog Gourmet Acquired Gloria Jean’s China Rights

The journey began back in late 2012, when Dog Gourmet Group initiated talks with Gloria Jean’s Coffees International Pty Ltd, headquartered in Australia. After nearly two years of intense negotiations, an intellectual property licensing agreement was signed on December 25, 2014. Under the deal, Dog Gourmet’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Tianjin Senyongtai Catering Co., Ltd, became the sole and permanent brand user of Gloria Jean’s in China. The Australian company is publicly listed, and both parties made the agreement public yesterday following the completion of regulatory procedures.

Why China’s Coffee Market Is So Attractive

“China’s coffee consumption market is growing by around 15% annually, far outpacing the global average of 2%,” said Zhang Yansen, Chairman of Dog Gourmet Group. According to industry research, China’s coffee consumption was valued at approximately 70 billion RMB in 2012, with projections to exceed 150 billion RMB within the next five years. This strong growth trajectory was a key factor in Dog Gourmet’s decision to enter the coffee business.

About Gloria Jean’s Coffees

Gloria Jean’s Coffees originated in Chicago in 1979 but grew to prominence in Australia, where it is now the country’s largest coffee chain and ranks among the world’s top five. The brand offers over 60 varieties of coffee beans and capsules, along with a full range of handcrafted hot and cold coffees, baked goods, and retail products. Currently, Gloria Jean’s operates more than 1,000 stores across 42 countries and regions, located in airports, shopping malls, and communities. In China, the brand already has 12 locations in Shanghai, Sichuan, and Tianjin.

Dog Gourmet’s Multi-Industry Strategy

Dog Gourmet Group is not a one-trick pony. Though best known for its iconic buns, the group has diversified into multiple sectors including catering, food manufacturing, and logistics. In 2014, the group reported annual revenue of around 1 billion RMB. Its “Dog Gourmet” brand, with over 150 years of history, is a well-known Chinese trademark and a recognized time-honored brand. The iconic Dog Gourmet bun-making technique has even been named an Intangible Cultural Heritage of China.

Beyond its core foodservice business, Dog Gourmet has also built a substantial frozen food operation. Its product range includes four main categories—buns, dumplings, pastries, and preserved foods—with over 100 different items sold in nearly 100 cities across 26 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. The frozen products are also exported to markets including Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong, offering a convenient option for family meals.

Dog Gourmet’s Previous International Collaborations

This isn’t Dog Gourmet’s first international partnership. In October 2013, the group signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore’s First Foods Group during the sixth meeting of the China-Singapore Economic and Trade Council. The collaboration aimed to jointly produce Dog Gourmet-branded food products, with First Foods handling distribution across the Asia-Pacific region.

First Foods Group, established in 1969, is the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen foods and spring roll wrappers. It has production facilities across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, and sells through tens of thousands of outlets in over 70 countries.

The Bigger Trend: Chinese Brands Going Global

According to analysts at Guotai Junan Securities, Chinese restaurant businesses have been accelerating their global expansion. However, many face significant challenges abroad, including unfamiliarity with local laws, markets, and cultural norms. “Overseas mergers and acquisitions allow domestic restaurant brands to engage directly in the global supply chain,” the analysts noted. “This helps companies quickly and effectively absorb advanced management practices, technology, and culture, while sourcing optimal resources and technologies worldwide—effectively compensating for limitations in domestic resources and markets.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dog Gourmet?

Dog Gourmet is a 150-year-old Chinese food group best known for its traditional buns, but it has expanded into frozen foods, logistics, and now coffee retail. The brand is a recognized Chinese time-honored trademark and its bun-making technique is part of China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

What is Gloria Jean’s Coffees?

Gloria Jean’s Coffees is an Australian-based coffee chain founded in the U.S. in 1979. It is now Australia’s largest coffee chain and among the top five globally, operating over 1,000 stores in 42 countries. The brand sells coffee beans, capsules, brewed coffee, and bakery items.

How many Gloria Jean’s stores will Dog Gourmet open in China?

Dog Gourmet plans to open 200 new Gloria Jean’s coffee shops across China over the next five years, expanding the brand’s presence significantly from its current 12 locations.

When did Dog Gourmet secure the rights to Gloria Jean’s in China?

Dog Gourmet secured permanent usage rights for Gloria Jean’s Coffees in China on December 25, 2014, after nearly two years of negotiation. The deal was publicly announced in January 2015.

Has Dog Gourmet worked with other international brands before?

Yes, in 2013 Dog Gourmet partnered with Singapore’s First Foods Group to co-produce and distribute Dog Gourmet-branded food in the Asia-Pacific region. First Foods is a major global frozen food manufacturer.

Why is Dog Gourmet entering the coffee market?

Dog Gourmet is responding to China’s rapidly growing coffee market, which has seen annual growth of around 15%, compared to just 2% globally. The market was worth about 70 billion RMB in 2012 and is expected to surpass 150 billion RMB in five years.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Shops

For a coffee shop inspired by Dog Gourmet’s new Gloria Jean’s venture, consider FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for bright floral and citrus notes, Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and stone fruit profiles, or PWN Golden Mandheling for classic Indonesian earthiness with low acidity. These single origins cater to diverse palates and enhance any café menu. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.