DENMARK- Malaysian food and beverage company Berjaya Food International has been awarded the exclusive rights to open Starbucks outlets in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Iceland, and Finland.
The move marks the Malaysian food company’s first entry into the Nordic market.
The company revealed that its objective for entering the Nordic market is to blend its operational and management expertise with the unique Starbucks experience by offering high-quality products.
Berjaya Food is expected to initiate this entry into the Nordic market in Denmark. The food company revealed it will leverage the existing store network of Salling Group to facilitate this initial penetration. This is after Berjaya Food became Salling Group’s licensed retail partner, which operates 18 Starbucks stores in Northern Europe.
The company revealed plans of adding Starbucks’ outlets in Finland and Iceland, although it has not provided a clear timeframe for the market entry.
Datuk Sydney Quays, Berjaya Food’s CEO, said, “We are thrilled to announce our new venture of opening Starbucks Coffee stores in the Nordic region.”
“We are excited to bring our expertise and passion for excellence to the vibrant Nordic coffee culture, introducing warm Malaysian hospitality and promising the exceptional Starbucks ‘third place’ experience cherished worldwide.”
Starbucks welcomed the move, describing it as a promising opportunity for the coffeehouse giant to expand its presence in the Nordic region and the wider European market. The company acknowledged its long-term business relationship with Berjaya, which it views as sufficiently capable of using Starbucks’ brand to establish a vibrant coffee culture in the region.
Duncan Moir, Starbucks’ President of Europe, Middle East and Africa, said “Building on our 26-year relationship with Berjaya Food, we are excited to further connect with more customers over a handcrafted Starbucks beverage and make impactful investments in our green apron partners (employees) as well as the community.”
Berjaya Food operates more than 400 Starbucks locations in Brunei and Malaysia. The food company’s portfolio in Malaysia also includes 6 Paris baguette Stores, 70 Kenny Rogers outlets, and 7 Sala stores. It also manages 34 Jollibean locations in Singapore.
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