International Coffee Chains Accelerate Expansion in Mainland China

From Shanghai to Beijing, the streets of China’s major cities are filling up with new coffee shop signs. But it’s not just independent cafés—big global players are moving in fast, opening dozens of new locations and betting big on China’s growing appetite for specialty coffee and casual café culture.

At least six major international coffee chains—including Starbucks, Costa, and Pacific Coffee—are currently expanding aggressively across mainland China, with plans to open hundreds of new stores over the next few years. Pacific Coffee alone just opened its 100th store in Beijing.

How Fast Are the Major Chains Growing?

According to executives and industry sources, the expansion is both rapid and strategic:

• Starbucks aims to have 1,500 stores in China by 2015 (a goal set before that year), despite recent economic headwinds. CEO Howard Schultz has publicly stated strong confidence in the market.
• Costa Coffee, a UK-based chain and Starbucks’ top rival in China, plans to open 250 new stores within three years. Since opening its first mainland location in 2006, it has grown to around 200 stores and targets 2,500 by 2018.
• Éxito Coffee (translated here as “”) plans to open 3–4 new stores in China during the fourth quarter of the current year alone.
• Pacific Coffee, owned by China Resources Enterprise, just launched its 100th mainland store in Beijing’s Silk Market area. CEO Tang Guojiang announced plans to open 50 more stores in 2024 across first-tier cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou.

Why Now? Why China?

Industry experts point to multiple factors driving this surge in coffee retail development:

• “The coffee market in mainland China is on an upward trajectory,” said Li Xianglu, director of Éxito Coffee’s China division.
• Pacific Coffee benefits from backing by China Resources Group, giving it deep insights into local retail dynamics and extensive distribution capabilities.
• Investors view the coffee sector as a high-growth, future-facing industry. “Investors are more willing to put money into sunrise industries, and China’s coffee market is exactly that,” said Bai Fang, secretary general of the Beijing Coffee Industry Association.

What This Means for the Market

The simultaneous push by both international giants and locally backed brands signals a maturing—but still rapidly expanding—coffee retail environment in China. Rather than a temporary trend, the current acceleration reflects sustained consumer demand, growing urban café culture, and confidence in long-term growth potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which international coffee chains are expanding fastest in mainland China?

Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and Pacific Coffee are among the fastest-expanding. Starbucks aims for 1,500 stores by 2015, Costa plans 250 new stores in three years (reaching 2,500 by 2018), and Pacific Coffee has just opened its 100th store and will add 50 more in 2024.

How many stores does Pacific Coffee have in mainland China?

Pacific Coffee has officially opened its 100th store in mainland China, with plans to open 50 additional locations in 2024 across key cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou.

What is Costa Coffee’s expansion plan in China?

Costa Coffee, a UK brand, has around 200 stores in China and plans to open 250 more over the next three years, aiming for a total of 2,500 stores by 2018.

Why are international coffee brands investing in China now?

Executives cite strong long-term market potential, rising consumer demand, and supportive retail infrastructure. The coffee market in mainland China is considered an ascending, high-growth industry by investors and industry leaders alike.

Is the coffee market in China still growing?

Yes. According to industry experts, the China coffee market is on an upward trend with increasing interest in café culture and specialty coffee, making it attractive for both global and domestic brands.