Focus: Which international chains “vote” Greece

With the help of tourism as well as the dynamic growth of the consumption of coffee and snacks within the borders, the domestic catering sector recorded revenues of 9.22 billion euros in 2023, showing an increase of 9.6% compared to 2022.

On the one hand, the good performance and on the other hand, the optimism that with the help of the tourist stream, high growth rates will be maintained have created a new “wave” of arrivals of international catering and coffee chains in the domestic market.

The World Coffee Portal research is also indicative, which predicts that the total Greek branded coffee market will exceed 2,500 stores by 2028.

Cova Astir Marina

For two and a half months now, the modernized Astir Marina, with 59 berths for boats, shops of famous houses such as Loro Piana, Bottega Veneta, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc., as well as a coastal promenade with additional green spaces, hosts the first Cova on Greek soil.

It is a famous Milanese pasticceria, founded in 1817 by Antonio Cova, an officer who served under Napoleon, and famous for its high quality products and its incomparable style.

With clients ranging from Giuseppe Verdi to Ernst Hemingway, it continued to fascinate a global audience even after relocating to Via Montenapoleone 8 in 1950.

In 1993 Cova opened its first location in Hong Kong, beginning its global expansion.

In 2017, Cova celebrated its 200 years of presence and is now considered one of the brands that act as points of reference in the regions where it operates.

Since 2013, it has been part of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group and today has stores in Monte Carlo, Paris, Kuwait, Riyadh, Doha, Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan, etc.

Café Barbera

Another historic coffee chain, also driven from Italy, made its appearance on the Greek market. The reason for Café Barbera, which opened its first store in Ermou at the height of Thisio and the goal, according to the management, is to spread throughout Athens within the next three years.

With a twist in terms of the development plan, since in Greece a new type of small store under 30 sq.m. is being tested. (mini store), the aim is to develop Café Barbera in central shopping streets, metro stations, airports, inside universities, workplaces, etc.

The history of the chain dates back to 1870 starting as a small coffee roaster by Domenico Barbera in southern Italy and today with the fifth generation at the helm it has grown into a truly international brand with coffee distribution reach in more than 60 countries.

Pret A Manger

The British chain Pret A Manger with organic coffee and fresh food for all hours of the day has opened its first store at the airport of Thessaloniki, while three more will follow at the airports of Mykonos, Kos and Zakynthos.

The expansion in Greece is done in collaboration with the food and beverage group SSP and Fraport Greece.

The first Pret store, as the chain is known in the UK, opened in London in 1986 and today operates more than 600 stores worldwide with 9,900 employees in 16 international markets (UK, Ireland, United States, Hong Kong, France, Dubai, Kuwait, India, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Belgium, Singapore, Germany, Canada, Italy, Spain).

12oz

12oz, the on-the-go coffee chain based in Milan, opened its first store outside the Italian borders in Athens.

The Italian coffee chain has signed a franchise agreement with the Foodrinco group with the aim of reaching 50 points by 2028, with priority in Athens, the major urban centers of the province and the islands. In addition, the company has exclusivity for certain Balkan countries and Cyprus until 2028.

The chain, which has its own patented technology to prepare some of the drinks it offers on its menu in less than 30 seconds, already has 3 stores in Athens.

Daily Bread

“Le Pain Quotidien”, as is the name of the Belgian chain of café-bakeries that recently debuted in Greece, means the daily bread.

The creation of Belgian chef Alain Coumont, who worked in many expensive restaurants in France before deciding in 1990 to start his own venture in Brussels, as he could not find a really good bread in the Belgian capital, today it has spread to 19 countries in around the world, with Greece being its 19th market.

Of course, not everything is rosy in the development of Le Pain Quotidien. The parent company and its American subsidiary in May 2020 applied for protection from their creditors, while in the United Kingdom they also found it dark, declaring bankruptcy last July and closing almost all of its stores.

However, he managed to get back on his feet and today has over 200 stores. It should be noted that the expansion of the chain in new markets is done with franchise stores, while in Belgium, the USA, the United Kingdom and France the points of sale are corporate.

Source OT