Yum China, the fast-food and QSR-restaurant operator has now partnered with the Italian coffee company Lavazza to develop a network of coffee shops across the country. They have opened a Lavazza Flagship store in Shanghai, which will mark the first outside Italy, as the first step in the new partnership.
“We see great potential for coffee in China and Lavazza shares this enthusiasm,” said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. “Leveraging our deep understanding of Chinese consumers, we look forward to working together with Lavazza to explore the coffee market in China.”
“China is an important market with huge untapped potential for coffee consumption. We have been searching for the right opportunities to establish Lavazza in China and Asia, and this partnership is an important first step,” he said.
The 125-year-old family-owned Lavazza positions itself as a premium brand offering high-quality coffee and they already have a strong presence across Asia at retail level and as a supplier of beans to independent cafes, which must meet strict standards of coffee-making to be allowed to serve the brand.
Lavazza has created a blend exclusively for the China market: Bel Paese Coffee, which it says offers tastes from across the different regions of Italy, including using historic espresso recipes and local interpretations.
A range of ‘Coffee Design’ specialty coffees is also available at the Lavazza Shanghai Flagship Store. The food menu was created in partnership with an unnamed Michelin-starred chef to provide an authentic Italian offer.
