Zuspresso (M) Sdn. Bhd., doing business as Zus Coffee (stylized as ZUS Coffee) is a Malaysian coffee shop chain.
 | |
| Industry | Coffee shop |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | , Malaysia |
Number of locations | 360 (2023) |
Area served | Malaysia Philippines Brunei |
| Products |
|
| Website | zuscoffee |
History
edit
Zus Coffee opened its first ever outlet in late 2019, a roughly 19 m2 (200 sq ft) kiosk at Binjai 8 in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. It was founded by Venon Tian and Ian Chua, who had backgrounds in running start-ups and information technology. They developed the associated pickup-and-delivery mobile application even before they opened their first store.[1]
The early years were marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine measures made customers less inclined to drink coffee in "third places" or settings other than their residence or workplace. Zus Coffee on the other hand compared to most of its competitors would rely on the grab-and-go model.[1]
By the end of 2023, there are 360 outlets in all of Malaysia.[1]
In March 2023, Filipino businessman Frank Lao reportedly bought 35 percent stake in Zus Coffee with the intention to make the chain expand its operation to the Philippines.[2] Zus Coffee opened its first outlet in the Philippines at Eastwood Le Grand Tower 2 in Eastwood City, Quezon City in September 2023.[3][4] This marks as their first expansion outside Malaysia.[5]
Zus was one of several local coffee chains in the Malaysian market experiencing a surge in patronage following a worldwide boycott on Starbucks in response to its lawsuit towards the Starbucks Workers United union following the latter's social media communications on 10 October 2023 expressing solidarity with Gazan civilians affected by war waged by the Israeli army 3 days before.[6][7]
Branding
editIn 2023, Zus' official communications published a rationale claiming its logo portrays the Ethiopian shepherd Kaldi and its name a portmanteau of the words "zeal" and "us"; this came in response to a Malaysian conservative-affiliated Facebook page which called on Muslims to boycott the brand insisting that the branding suggest that of the Greek deity Zeus.[10]
Products and model
editZus Coffee would sell coffee-based beverages as well as pastries, sandwiches, and hot meals. It claims to sell products which are halal certified, avoiding usage of ingredients that would be haram such those which are pork-based and contains alcohol.[4] The business has its own dedicated ZUS Coffee app where customers can place their orders for delivery or pick-up.[11] The app was inspired from that used by Chinese chain Luckin Coffee.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Chew, Nicole (19 January 2024). "A stirring success". The Star. Star Media Group Bhd. Retrieved 27 May 2024.[page needed]
- ^ "Philippine's billionaire Frank Lao buys 35% stake in Malaysian coffee shop Zus". The Star. Star Media Group Bhd. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Trinidad, Bea (2 May 2024). "Caffeine Rush: Malaysian Brand ZUS Coffee goes beyond beans and brews". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ a b Arnaldo, Steph (9 September 2023). "LOOK: Malaysia's ZUS Coffee to open in Metro Manila". Rappler. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Laurito, Arjay (24 April 2024). "Malaysia's biggest coffee chain expands to Manila; targets 150 stores by year's end". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Ainun Jariah; Hakim Mahari (16 November 2023). "Spike in revenue for local coffee brands". New Straits Times.[page needed]
- ^ Hazlin Hasan (5 Feb 2024). "Malaysian coffee chains gain as locals shun US brands". The Straits Times. p. A9.
- ^ "ZUS Coffee enters Brunei with Bandar Seri Begawan outlet". World Coffee Portal. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
- ^ "ZUS Coffee Brunei's upcoming debut". Borneo Bulletin. 16 November 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
- ^ "因标志被网民号召杯葛 ZUS Coffee回应了！". Sin Chew Daily (in Chinese (China)). 14 November 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Llemit, Kathleen (19 April 2024). "Tech-driven Malaysian brand offers 'specialty coffee with an app', turtle-friendly rice straws". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 27 May 2024.