Pokka Café Plans China Expansion

Pokka Café HK will be expanding its coffee and Western-style casual-dining businesses into China. The Hong Kong-based chain operates 34 restaurants under 12 brands in Hong Kong and Macau, offering specialty coffee and casual dining.

Its expansion will be guided by Shanghai-based Xiao Nan Guo Restaurants Holdings, which purchased 65% of Pokka Corp. last November for HK$195 million (US$25 million) in hopes of enhancing Xiao Nan Guo’s operating experience in western cuisine.

Prior to the acquisition, Pokka Café HK already had plans to enter the mainland market; at least three restaurants will open in Shanghai this year. According to Xiao Nan Guo CEO Kang Jie, the China market has huge potential as each person drinks just four cups of coffee a year on average, compared to 200 cups in Japan and 400 in the U.S.