The Spanish specialty coffee chain expects to open its first international store by 2026, a year earlier than previously planned, after achieving strong sales and outlet growth in its home market over the last 12 months
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An East Crema Coffee store in Donostia | Photo credit: East Crema Coffee
Madrid-based East Crema Coffee is exploring master franchise opportunities in the Middle East and Asia after achieving strong sales and outlet growth in Spain over the last 12 months – which could bring its international debut forward by a year.
Founded in October 2020, the specialty coffee roaster and café chain has opened eight new stores since August 2023, including first sites in Bilbao, Donostia, Seville and Zaragoza, to reach 16 outlets.
East Crema expects to open a further 10 outlets in Spain and launch a wholesale channel before the end of 2024.
The business previously targeted 2027 for a first international store, with neighbouring France and Portugal mooted as markets of interest.
However, following strong sales and outlet growth, East Crema Coffee now expects to open its first store abroad by the start of 2026.
“We are exploring master franchise options for the UAE and Asian countries, since some groups have shown interest in implementing East Crema Coffee in these areas,” CEO Alberto Velarde told World Coffee Portal.
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The specialty coffee chain forecasts it will reach 60 stores across Spain and achieve €15m ($16.2m) in turnover by 2027 – double its expected total sales for this year.
World Coffee Portal data shows Spain is the eighth largest branded coffee shop market by outlets in Europe, with more than 1,740 stores.
Led by international chains McCafé and Starbucks with 253 and 173 sites respectively, Spain has a small but growing specialty coffee segment led by domestic chain Syra Coffee with 41 stores.
Alongside the emergence of new Spanish specialty operators, such as Madrid-based Ambu Coffee and Murcia-based Madness Specialty Roasters, the segment has also attracted several international operators in recent years. Brazilian small-format chain The Coffee entered the market with a store in Madrid in July 2021, Germany’s The Barn followed suit in Mallorca in July 2022 and Czech Republic-based The Miners debuted in Barcelona in December of the same year.