Taste Holdings – the company responsible for bringing Starbucks to South Africa – has announced that the first local stores of the popular coffee brand will open at the end of April. Two stores will apparently open in Midrand, and Rosebank.
The Midrand store will be located on the upper level of the Mall of Africa, while the Rosebank store will be located at the corner of Cradock and Tyrwhitt Avenues, between the Gautrain station and the Rosebank taxi rank.
“In selecting our locations, we received an unprecedented response from landlords and property owners,” says Taste Holdings CEO Carlo Gonzaga.
Starbucks was started in 1971 and currently boasts more than 22 000 stores across the globe. Taste Holdings holds the exclusive licensing rights to develop the brand in South Africa.
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Interestingly, Taste Holdings will own and operate all local stores directly. It will not be franchising. Why not? Starbucks doesn’t franchise to individuals anywhere in the world. As a brand, it doesn’t sell to franchisees at all.
Also in the pipeline is Dunkin’ Donuts, which is being brought to South Africa by Grand Parade Investments, as well as French bakery/café PAUL, which is being brought to South Africa by Famous Brands.
