Los Angeles — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, Southern California’s oldest and largest privately-held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the U.S., has signed an exclusive area development agreement with South Korean retail conglomerate, E-LAND, to introduce its brand to China.
“Introducing our iconic brand to the Chinese market signifies a huge milestone for us,” says Jeff Schroeder, senior vice president of operations. “Together with E-LAND’s vast retail experience and success to ensure our continued growth in China, we’re proud to put our Southern California style of hand roasted coffee and whole leaf teas on the map in yet another country.”
China marks the 28th international market for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
While E-LAND already has a significant presence in China consisting predominantly of fashion retail brands with over 7,000 outlets directly operated by the company, it is continuing to expand the food and beverage retail component of its business. E-LAND’s restaurant portfolio encompasses over 20 brands with now the inclusion of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®. The first store opening is anticipated in the fourth quarter of this year and, long term, more than 700 new store locations will be introduced across China.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s expansion into China marks the latest major announcement in the brand’s growth, following the introduction of new stores in Japan earlier this year. Founded in Los Angeles in 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has more than 1,000 stores globally. For more information, visit CoffeeBean.com.
SOURCE: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf