Juan Valdez returns to Mexico with new franchise partner

Juan Valdez is seeking to open at least 75 new stores in international markets this year | Photo credit: Juan Valdez

Colombia’s largest coffee chain Juan Valdez has returned to the Mexican market with a store in Mérida, Yucatán. 

Juan Valdez CEO Camila Escobar Corredor said the Mérida store strengthens the coffee chain’s presence in Latin America and marks the start of a robust expansion plan in several Mexican cities over the next five years with new partner Grupo Zepeda. 

“Mexico is an economy with enormous business potential, due to its strategic location and its popularity worldwide. The above represents an immense opportunity for Juan Valdez, since its scalability allows us to conquer, with the opening of our stores, local consumers with our premium 100% Colombian coffee and with the experience that has always characterised us as a brand,” added Sebastián Mejía, International Vice President, Juan Valdez.  
 

Bogotá-based Juan Valdez opened its first store in Mexico in 2013 via franchisee JVC Franco LLC. 

However, the coffee chain only reached 10 stores of a planned 100 and exited the market in 2018 after terminating the ‘unprofitable’ franchise partnership.  

Juan Valdez currently operates 589 stores globally, including more than 200 across 18 international markets. The coffee chain opened 51 new international stores in 2023, including 13 in Ecuador and 12 in Turkey.  

The brand, which also opened its first store in the UAE in January 2024, is seeking to open 100 new stores this year, at least 75 of which will be international markets.  

Mexico has become an attractive market for coffee chains seeking international expansion over the last 18 months, with North American operators Dunkin’, Starbucks and Tim Hortons all investing in the market.