Non-Coffee Brands That Are Now Selling Coffee

Ever walked into Starbucks and left with a cup of tea or a sandwich instead of coffee? It turns out you’re not alone. Over the past few years, the global coffee giant has steadily shifted from being just a coffee shop to something much broader—selling tea, food, beer, and even wine in some markets.

But here’s the twist: while Starbucks broadens its menu, other well-known non-coffee brands—from fast-food chains to ice cream shops—are diving headfirst into the coffee business. Some are testing the waters with a few drinks, others have launched standalone coffee outlets, and a few, like McDonald’s, have built an entire coffee business around it.

Why Non-Coffee Brands Are Entering the Coffee Market

The coffee industry is booming, and established consumer brands see opportunity. For years, Starbucks has been evolving its identity: in 2012, it acquired Teavana, a New York-based tea brand, reportedly after then-CEO Howard Schultz developed a taste for its "Royal Oolong." By 2015, Starbucks reported that tea beverages were growing at 15% annually in North America, contributing 14.2% to its 1% same-store sales growth in the category during Q2. While coffee still dominates, these moves show how even pure coffee brands are expanding—or being disrupted.

Fast Food Giants Jumping Into Coffee

McDonald’s was one of the earliest fast-food brands to sell coffee seriously. It began testing coffee in standalone stores in Australia as early as 1993, but didn’t expand globally until 2007. McCafé, its coffee brand, launched in China’s major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen by 2010.

Today, McCafé offers espresso-based drinks such as espresso, americano, cappuccino, latte, and mocha at about two-thirds the price of Starbucks. While the drink selection is more limited, McCafé also sells teas, matcha, bubble tea, and iced desserts, often paired with muffins or cheesecake. With its dark brown and white handwritten-logo design, McCafé stores aim to echo the Starbucks experience at a lower cost.

KFC: Cheap and Quick Coffee

KFC entered the coffee market more recently but with a clear strategy: offer low-priced, classic coffee quickly. By the end of 2015, KFC planned to serve freshly brewed coffee—including americano, latte, mocha, and cappuccino—at at least 2500 locations across China. Prices start at just 10 RMB.

KFC hasn’t launched a separate coffee sub-brand like McDonald’s, but it has experimented with branding. Its UK division even tested edible coffee cups made of biscuit, coated in white chocolate and wrapped in sugar paper—an eco-friendly and Instagram-friendly concept that could drive future foot traffic.

Pizza Hut and Concept Stores

Pizza Hut is taking a different approach. In Hong Kong, it opened Pizza Hut Super Delco, a compact, café-style concept store where customers order coffee and sandwiches directly from the counter. The focus is less on pizza and more on creating a relaxed, retail-like coffee shop environment, with a small selection of unique desserts. Coffee isn’t the main draw, but it’s part of a broader brand transformation effort.

The company plans to open more such locations, mainly in residential areas of Hong Kong, with potential expansion to other cities.

Häagen-Dazs: Coffee for Gen Z

Häagen-Dazs, known for ice cream, opened its first global coffee shop last week on Shanghai’s Nanjing West Road—right next to a Starbucks. The shop focuses on colorful coffee drinks flavored with matcha, vanilla, and chocolate, served in transparent cups designed to attract younger consumers, especially Millennials and Gen Z.

The coffee menu ties into Häagen-Dazs’ partnership with Italian brand illy. With eye-catching colors and flavors, the goal is to turn coffee into another lifestyle product for a demographic that already embraces both ice cream and café culture.

Dogfish Dog: Gourmet Coffee from a Bun Brand

In a more surprising move, Tianjin’s Dogbery Group—best known for its steamed buns—acquired permanent rights to operate Australia’s largest coffee chain, Gloria Jean’s, in China. Under the name (Gloria Jean’s), the brand now serves coffee along with hot dogs, fried chicken, rice meals, and fruit drinks in cities like Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chengdu.

Although owned by a bun company, Gloria Jean’s China is managed by a dedicated coffee team. The brand currently has a modest presence but aims to grow to 200 stores in China within five years through partnerships and franchising. User reviews frequently praise the coffee quality, which competes with international standards despite the unusual parent company.

Fashion Brands Getting in on Coffee Too

Beyond food, fashion brands like GUCCI, HERMÈS, agnès b., and VERSUS have opened café-style retail spaces. More recently, Ralph Lauren and BURBERRY have launched food service or coffee concepts, turning coffee into the latest corporate trend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which non-coffee brand sells the most coffee in China?

McCafé, McDonald’s coffee brand, is among the most widespread non-specialist coffee sellers in China, with locations in major cities offering espresso-based drinks at lower prices than Starbucks. KFC is also rapidly expanding its fresh coffee offerings with plans to reach 2,500 stores by 2015, though at a smaller scale.

Does Starbucks still sell tea and food besides coffee?

Yes. Starbucks has significantly expanded its menu in recent years, including a wide range of teas, food items, and even alcoholic beverages like beer and wine in select international markets. Tea sales in North America grew 15% annually, contributing to overall revenue despite coffee remaining the core product.

What coffee drinks does Häagen-Dazs offer in its Shanghai café?

Häagen-Dazs’ Shanghai coffee shop serves colorful coffee drinks in flavors such as matcha, vanilla, and chocolate. The menu is designed to appeal to younger consumers and includes collaborations with Italian coffee brand illy. The drinks are served in distinctive transparent, colorful cups.

How is KFC approaching the coffee market differently from McDonald’s?

KFC is focusing on low-cost, classic coffee drinks like americano, latte, and cappuccino, starting at 10 RMB, without a separate coffee brand. It uses a simpler menu compared to McCafé, and has even tested edible coffee cups in the UK, though these aren’t yet widely available in China.

Is Gloria Jean’s a Chinese coffee brand?

No. Gloria Jean’s is an Australian coffee chain. Its Chinese operations are owned and operated by Tianjin’s Dogbery Group (known for steamed buns), which acquired permanent rights to the brand in China. It is managed by a dedicated coffee team and aims to open 200 stores in five years.

Are there any fashion brands that sell coffee?

Yes. Brands like GUCCI, HERMÈS, agnès b., VERSUS, Ralph Lauren, and BURBERRY have either opened cafes or launched coffee-focused concepts as part of their retail or lifestyle strategies, making coffee a new frontier for luxury and fashion branding.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Non-Traditional Cafés

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