Japanese coffee chain % Arabica is expanding its footprint in North America and elsewhere. In December the company is opening a new store in Toronto, marking its entry into the Canadian market.
Founded by Kenneth Shoji in Kyoto in 2013, the privately held chain has opened more than 130 stores in 18 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Shoji first learned the coffee business in the U.S. state of Hawaii, where he gained experience in coffee farming, trading, exporting, and distribution.
Today % Arabica specializes in sourcing from small farms. The brand's hallmark is the minimalist design of its monochromatic cafes.
The company's largest presence by far is in China, where it has 70 stores. It has 14 venues in the United Arab Emirates and a dozen in Kuwait. In other places, it has fewer than ten outlets per country. In 2021, it opened a flagship store in Brooklyn, New York.
The chain will soon open shops in Vietnam, the Philippines, Spain, Mexico, and Hungary, as well as two additional locations in Canada, in Toronto and Whistler, British Columbia. Long-term plans call for entry to Brunei, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Russia, and Turkey.
% Arabica's expansion reflects continuing growth in the popularity of specialty coffee. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, the industry is expected to reach a stock market capitalization of $16.9 billion by 2030, according to Research and Markets. The global specialty coffee market will be worth $71.21 billion in sales by 2028, according to Brandessence Market Research.