At Marco Beverage Systems, we work with a range of café and foodservice brands, from small independents to larger chains. We know the past two years have been difficult for the hospitality sector, but over this time we’ve done everything we can to support our clients and partners who work in it.
As the year draws to a close, we’ve decided to take the time to look at a few of our partners around the world, large and small, and talk about their shops. Read on to find out more about them!
Where You’ll Find Marco Beverage Systems Around the World
% Arabica
Since its flagship store opened in 2014 in Kyoto, % Arabica has become one of the best-known specialty coffee shops in Japan using the Marco Uber Boiler and SP9 Twin.
Founder Kenneth Shoji fell in love with emerging coffee culture during his studies at UCLA in the early 1990s. His appreciation for coffee led him to buy a farm in Hawaii, before opening his own cafés some years later.
Today, % Arabica has over 100 retail shops in 18 different countries, with one of their latest locations having opened its doors in Brooklyn early in 2020, with equipment from Marco Beverage Systems.
“Our dream is to grow % Arabica across unique lands and cultures of the world so that we can “See the World Through Coffee,” Kenneth says. “We only live once, so let’s explore the world we live in, set goals, and enjoy our time together over an amazing cup of coffee.”
Louisa
The first Louisa Coffee store opened in Taiwan back in 2006. Today, it is the nation’s largest coffee chain, with hundreds of stores in the country and many more overseas that has products from Marco Beverage Systems.
Louisa also roasts its own coffee, having established a central facility for this purpose in 2015. After a period of significant expansion (opening 10 more stores in 10 months), it opened another a year later.
Today, Louisa stores offer delicious fresh coffee, brewed on the Marco SP9 Twin. Its sleek, modern bars are manned by baristas who prepare fresh coffee on the Marco SP9, by Marco Beverage Systems, from a range of origins. Customers can also be enjoyed with light lunches, a wide variety of desserts, and other fresh food served on Louisa Coffee.
Ninth Street Espresso
A pioneer of the New York specialty coffee scene, Ninth Street Espresso opened its doors back in 2001 under the name Higher Grounds Café.
In 2003, it changed its name to Ninth Street Espresso, opened a few more stores, and started roasting its own coffee, using equipment from Marco Beverage Systems. Today, some 20 years on, the brand retains a simple focus: sourcing, roasting, and brewing delicious coffee.
Ninth Street’s locations can be found across New York City, and have become renowned for having a “minimalist” aesthetic, although they insist it’s not intentional. The brand is renowned for being independent and committed, offering a range of coffee beverages as well as some pastries.
Coffee Island
Coffee Island was born in 1999 in the city of Patras, Greece. Since then, Coffee Island has become renowned for its focus on delicious, unique coffee, served with Marco Beverage Systems equipament.
Its continued focus on both quality and sustainable sourcing have seen it win the Best Coffee Chain in Southern Europe award at the Allegra European Coffee Awards several times.
Today, Coffee Island is one of the largest coffeehouse chains in Europe, with more than 480 stores as of 2021. As well as offering food and drinks in all of its outlets, the brand also sells a range of products online, including everything from roasted coffee to brewing equipment.
Cophi Coffee
Located in Taiwan’s capital, Cophi Coffee is a must-visit for coffee lovers stopping in Taipei. Its sleek, modern bars are manned by baristas who prepare fresh coffee from a range of origins, including Ethiopia, Brazil, El Salvador, and even Taiwan itself.
Cophi was founded in 2009. Today, as well as offering coffee in its various locations in Taiwan, its team also offers coffee consultancy and training services.
Espressolab
Originally founded in Turkey in 2014, Espressolab is now one of the biggest third wave coffee chains in the world.
In the few years since, it has expanded internationally to roast and brew coffee in nine other countries, including Germany, Qatar, and South Africa.
Today, Espressolab stores boast modern yet cozy vibes, which are perfect for enjoying its fresh-baked red velvet cookies and croissants. The stores also sell a range of different coffee beverages, which range from traditional Turkish coffee to filter and espresso. The chain also roasts its own beans in-house.
Caravan Coffee Roasters
Although its origins can be traced back to New Zealand, Caravan Coffee Roasters is perhaps most famous today for its presence in London, where it has eight locations.
As well as offering a full food menu for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, Caravan sells a range of delicious specialty single origin coffees brewed on the Marco SP9 and blends. The company’s approach to roasting comes from the appreciation of the culinary experience, with a simple philosophy: “Delicious ingredients, well prepared, presented beautifully.”
Caravan’s premises can be found across London, and over the years the company has expanded to offer a range of services. It now operates a coffee quality control lab and school, as well as a bakery, drinks lab, and various event and office spaces, which we can find equipment from Marco Beverage Systems.
Marco Beverage Systems at Pekoe Tea
Established in 2008 and based in Edinburgh, Pekoe Tea offers a wide range of single-estate teas, ranging from white teas to rooibos and matcha.
Run by Jon Cooper and Esther Kungu-Cooper, the family-owned business sources its leaves directly from tea-growing regions around the world, such as China, India, Sri Lanka, South African, and Kenya.
Pekoe Tea uses the Marco MIX to brew and serve their specialty tea. The Marco MIX allows users to pre-set three temperatures and volumes – essential when brewing different types of tea.
It also hand-crafts its blends locally at its Edinburgh tea factory, located in the historic port of Leith.
From Japan to New York and everywhere in between, this list shows that there will always be a place where a Marco Beverage Systems partner can offer delicious beverages and an outstanding customer experience.
Next time you visit any of the cities listed here, be sure to check in!