China's Coffee Industry Growth Outlook from a Chain Leader

When you’re trying to understand whether China’s coffee market has real legs, it helps to talk to someone who’s spent eight years building a national coffee chain from the ground up. On February 21, 2016, the Hefei Grand Theatre hosted a star-studded Lunar New Year gala for Anxiang International Group, featuring The Voice of China winner Liu Dacheng and Mongolian pop star Bao Le’er. But behind the glitz was a bigger story: how a homegrown coffee brand quietly expanded to over 100 locations across Anhui province.

Yes, China’s coffee market has room to grow—and fast. Under chairman Huang Baosuo, Anxiang International grew from zero to 100+ stores in eight years, expanding at 6–10 outlets per year while employing over 2,500 staff, even during economic slowdowns.

A Coffee Chain Built from Agency Roots

Before launching his own brand, Huang Baosuo spent years as the Anhui regional agent for a major Chinese coffee brand. That experience gave him deep insight into how food and beverage services operate—a foundation he leveraged to build Anxiang International. What began as a single coffee concept soon evolved into a diversified enterprise.

Diversification Strategy Beyond Coffee

Anxiang International didn’t stop at coffee. The group strategically expanded into a multi-sector conglomerate, with coffee shops as the flagship, supported by hotels and restaurants, supplemented by cultural entertainment, anchored by trade and logistics, and extended through engineering and interior decoration. This model allowed the company to spread risk and build synergy across industries.

The 'China Coffee Model' Approach

Huang Baosuo didn’t just copy Western café formats—he pioneered what the company calls the “China Coffee Model.” This approach adapts global coffee service standards to local tastes, price expectations, and operational conditions. By doing so, Anxiang created a scalable, locally resonant coffee concept that could thrive outside first-tier cities.

Growth Trajectory and Current Scale

Since its inception, Anxiang International has maintained steady expansion, opening between six and ten new stores annually. Over eight years, that consistent pace led to a network of more than 100 locations. The group now employs over 2,500 people, and despite broader economic pressures, its annual sales have continued to rise year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Huang Baosuo?

Huang Baosuo is the chairman and founder of Anxiang International Group, a major Chinese hospitality and coffee chain operator based in Anhui Province. He previously served as the Anhui regional agent for a leading Chinese coffee brand before launching his own coffee business.

How many coffee stores does Anxiang International operate?

As of 2016, Anxiang International had grown to operate more than 100 coffee stores across China, primarily in Anhui Province. The chain achieved this scale through steady annual expansion.

What is the 'China Coffee Model'?

The 'China Coffee Model' is Anxiang International’s proprietary approach to adapting global coffee shop formats to fit Chinese consumer preferences, pricing, and operational contexts—making coffee retail more viable domestically.

How fast has Anxiang International expanded?

Anxiang International has expanded its coffee store network by 6 to 10 new locations per year since its founding, reaching over 100 stores within eight years of operation.

What other industries is Anxiang International involved in?

Beyond coffee, Anxiang International operates in hotels, restaurants, cultural entertainment, trade and logistics, and engineering and decoration, creating a diversified business group with coffee as its flagship.

How has Anxiang International performed during economic downturns?

Despite broader economic challenges, Anxiang International has maintained year-on-year growth in annual sales while employing over 2,500 people, demonstrating resilience in its business model.

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