CoffeeBene Opens Its 100th Store in China

Coffee lovers in Beijing’s bustling business and tourist district now have a new reason to stop by: CoffeeBene has officially opened its 100th store in China. This milestone isn’t just another number — it marks the rapid rise of a South Korean coffee brand that, in under two years, has built a significant physical presence in one of the world’s most competitive coffee markets.

CoffeeBene now operates 100 stores across China, hitting the century mark just 18 months after entering the market. This makes it the first South Korean coffee company to reach 100 locations in China, outpacing other food and beverage chains in speed and scale.

A Landmark Location in Beijing

The 100th store, dubbed “Kitchen 2000 Point,” is a large-format café spanning 529 square meters (160 pyeong) with 148 seats. Located on Balizhuang West Road in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, the site sits near both commercial hubs and tourist areas, making it a strategic hub for both local and visiting customers.

Fast Growth in a Competitive Market

CoffeeBene’s expansion in China has been notably swift. Over the past year alone, the brand added 87 new locations. This growth spurt followed the establishment of a joint venture, CoffeeBene Management Co., Ltd., in Beijing at the end of 2022, which enabled the opening of regional branches in major cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, and Chengdu. Most of the brand’s Chinese footprint — 95 out of 100 stores — are now franchises.

Benchmarking Against Other Chains

While global and domestic players have entered the Chinese market before, few have matched CoffeeBene’s pace. Pizza, bakery, and fried chicken chains have tried, but only Genesis BBQ (150 stores since 2003) and SPC Group (124 Paris Baguette stores since 2004) have exceeded 100 locations. Even Starbucks, which debuted in China in 1999, has long surpassed them all with over 1,000 stores.

Future Expansion Plans

CoffeeBene isn’t stopping at 100. The brand’s China head revealed that contracts for over 70 additional locations are already signed, with ambitions to push the total beyond 1,000 stores in the country. The chain has also earned accolades such as Northeast Asia’s Excellent Brand and Guangzhou Franchise Association’s Best Franchise Brand, signaling strong local market acceptance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CoffeeBene?

CoffeeBene is a South Korean coffeehouse chain that expanded into the Chinese market in 2022. Known for its large, cafe-style outlets, it focuses on sit-down service with a variety of coffee, food, and dessert offerings.

Where is CoffeeBene’s 100th store located?

The 100th CoffeeBene store, called “Kitchen 2000 Point,” is in Beijing’s Chaoyang District on Balizhuang West Road, near business and tourism areas. It has 148 seats and covers 529 square meters.

How many CoffeeBene stores are franchises?

Out of CoffeeBene’s 100 Chinese stores, 95 are franchise-operated. The brand has rapidly expanded its franchise network since setting up a joint venture management company in Beijing.

What other coffee chains have 100+ stores in China?

Only Genesis BBQ (150 stores since 2003) and SPC Group’s Paris Baguette (124 stores since 2004) have more than 100 locations in China. Starbucks leads with over 1,000 stores since 1999.

Is CoffeeBene planning to expand further in China?

Yes. CoffeeBene has contracts for over 70 additional stores and aims to grow its presence in China to over 1,000 locations in the near future.