Starbucks Coffee Company is set to expand to Laos as part of its plans to strengthen its presence in Asia.

The US-based coffee chain plans to open its first location in Laos in the capital city of Vientiane by the middle of next year.

The store will be operated by Coffee Concepts (Laos), a part of Maxim’s Caterers, and will offer the company’s signature handcrafted beverages.

Starbucks International Licensed Stores executive vice-president Michael Conway said: “We’re excited to bring the Starbucks experience to Laos, which has a rich history of coffee production and thriving coffee culture.”

Following the launch, the coffee chain will have a presence in 17 Asian markets with more than 10,000 stores across the region.

The company employs over 149,000 people across the Asian markets, including China and Japan.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Through its licensed partner Coffee Concepts, the brand operates approximately 800 stores across Hong Kong and Macau regions, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Maxim’s Caterers chairman and managing director Michael Wu said: “We are pleased to introduce the Starbucks brand into Laos, which further builds on our 20-year relationship with Starbucks to grow the coffee industry across Asia.

“We look forward to continuing to deliver the unique Starbucks experience to customers in the market to earn the trust and respect known by customers around the world.”

Notably, the expansion comes at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic had significantly affected Starbucks’ same-store sales and operating margin.

In June, the company announced plans to shut down approximately 400 stores in the US and Canada over the next 18 months.