China’s Cotti Coffee opens first international store in South Korea

Cotti Coffee has opened its first store outside of China with an outlet in Seoul, South Korea. 
 

The store, located in the Gangnam district of the capital, is expected to be followed by both company operated and franchised outlets across the country. 

Since opening its first store in October 2022 in the eastern city of Fuzhou, Cotti Coffee has opened approximately 5,000 stores across China. 

Founded by former Luckin Coffee executives Charles Lu and Jenny Qian, Cotti Coffee seeks to attract customers via its value-focused coffee menu and conveniently located stores, often near high footfall office districts in China’s largest cities.   

“The business model has been fully verified. On this basis, the company decided to officially start the internationalisation strategy. We believe that in overseas markets where the brand is ageing, product innovation is insufficient, and internet applications are backward, the model of Cotti Coffee will definitely show strong vitality,” said Chief Strategy Officer Li Yingbo. 

Cotti Coffee will face competition from South Korean value-focused brands Compose Coffee and Mega Coffee.  

The Beijing-based coffee chain has also reportedly launched a global franchise recruitment drive to facilitate further international expansion.