New Espresso House CEO Thomas Kelly | Photo credit: Espresso House

Espresso House has appointed former McDonald’s, Costa Coffee and Honest Burgers executive Thomas Kelly as its new Group CEO, effective September 2024. 
 

Kelly, who succeeds Anssi Thureson in the role, brings extensive fast-casual experience to the coffee chain, including as CEO of McDonald’s Finland from 2014-2017 and McDonald’s Sweden from 2017-2020.  

He also served as Global Executive Director Retail & Franchising at Costa Coffee between 2021-2022 before becoming CEO of 39-store UK restaurant chain Honest Burgers in January 2024. 

Kelly will assume the role of Chairman at Honest Burgers in September 2024 – a position he will hold alongside leading Espresso House. 

“The fast-casual food and beverage sector continues to be filled with opportunities for excitement and innovation. The characteristics that have made Espresso House a national champion in Sweden and across the Nordics, present a remarkable platform for further growth. I look forward to bringing consumers in all our markets delicious food and drinks, warm and welcoming environments, all underpinned by our dedication to the fika,” said Kelly. 

Stockholm-based Espresso House is the largest branded coffee chain in the Nordics and the 12th largest in Europe with more than 500 stores across Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Germany. 

In a press release, the JAB Holding-backed coffee chain said the appointment marked a ‘major milestone’ for the business and concludes its leadership reshuffle, which included the appointment of Daniel Sandström as Chief Financial Officer in May 2024 and JAB Holding Company’s Konrad Meyer as Board Chairman this month. 

Meyer, who also serves as Chairman at fellow JAB Holding-backed coffee chain Pret A Manger, said Espresso House was “reuniting a proven duo” with Kelly and Sandström having previously worked together at McDonald’s Sweden. 

“We are very happy to welcome Thomas to Espresso House. Our strengthened executive leadership team brings extensive Nordic and fast-casual experience,” he said. 

Founded in 1996, Espresso House operates 255 stores in Sweden, 78 in Finland, 69 in Denmark and 66 in Norway – making it the largest branded coffee chain in each market. The coffee chain has operated in Germany since 2018, when it acquired and rebranded Hamburg-based Balzac Coffee, and currently operates 46 outlets in the country – primarily in Hamburg and Berlin. 

In July 2023, Espresso House announced a licensing agreement with Autogrill Deutschland to scale its presence at airports and railway stations across Germany.