Starbucks to open store with a view of North Korea, Greggs taps celebrity chef for Christmas campaign, New Zealand’s Zoffee brews coffee from a new plant, Tealive launches Korean-inspired coffee range and KDP partners with Chicago Bears for reusable cup programme
A Starbucks store in Hwangudan, Seoul | Photo credit: Starbucks
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Starbucks Korea to open store overlooking North Korea
Starbucks Korea is reportedly preparing to open a store less than a mile from the heavily militarised border with North Korea. The licensee is set to operate a 10-seater outlet on the second floor of the Jogang Observatory, a 500ft tower in the demilitarised Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, with views of Kaepung County, North Korea.
The Aegibong Peace Ecopark is a significant historical, ecological and tourist hub in the region and was built to symbolise aspirations for peace between North and South Korea. According to Korean media, guests will be screened by the military before entering the venue, which is scheduled to open on 27 November 2024.
Greggs partners with celebrity chef Nigella Lawson for first Christmas advert
UK food-to-go and coffee chain Greggs has teamed up with renowned British chef, TV presenter and food writer Nigella Lawson for its first Christmas TV advert. Posting to her three-million followers on Instagram Lawson proclaimed herself to be a ‘longtime fan’ of Greggs sausage rolls’ to promote the chain’s festive menu. The Christmas campaign comes two weeks after Greggs opened a reservation-only champagne bar, inspired by 1920s Paris wine bars, in Newcastle’s Fenwick Food Hall.
New Zealand’s Zoffee gets investment to grow Coprosma coffee alternative
The Waikato-based start-up is seeking to bring an alternative coffee product to market after receiving NZ$930,000 ($555,680) investment from New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries. Zoffee Founder and CEO Jack Keeys said the business has created a coffee alternative from the Coprosma genus, a native plant family related to coffee, which “tastes similar to coffee, gives you a similar experience, has human stimulants, tastes really good but is actually a bit healthier”.
Zoffee has planted 1,000 Coprosma plants to date and said ‘another 3,000 will go in the ground soon’ as it seeks to refine and optimise the product. The business is working with biotech firm AbacusBio to breed higher-yield plants and develop a financially viable industry. If successful, Keeys said Zoffee’s first coffee alternative product should be available on supermarket shelves within 18-24 months.
Malaysian bubble tea chain Tealive unveils Korean-inspired coffee range
Malaysian bubble tea chain Tealive has launched a new Korean-inspired coffee range in its home market. Available across its 850 Malaysian stores, Tealive said its K-Coffee range features some of South Korea’s most popular coffee flavours, including grape and peach-infused sparkling americanos and Spanish Lattes with sweetened condensed milk.
Tealive is one of the largest bubble tea chains in East Asia and has a strong track-record of eye-catching marketing campaigns. In 2020, the business delivered coffee to drivers stuck in rush hour traffic as part of its ‘Traffic Breakthrough’ campaign, while in January 2023 it appointed Malaysian actor Fikry Ibrahim as Chief Espresso Officer (CEO) to promote its revamped coffee menu. Tealive is seeking to sell one million cups of K-coffee across Malaysia by 17 November 2024.
Keurig Dr Pepper announces reusable cup programme with Chicago Bears NFL team
US coffee and soft beverage group Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is set to launch a reusable cup programme with NFL franchise the Chicago Bears. The initiative will begin at the team’s home match against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on 10 November 2024 and will continue through the remainder of the NFL season. Available at all vendor locations within the club’s premier hospitality area United Club at no additional cost, the programme will offer reusable cups for coffee, soft drinks and alcohol. Cups returned to a marked collection bin will be cleaned before being re-used at the stadium’s next event. The Chicago Bears currently serve over 8,000 United Club members per game.