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The sweet tooth theme continues. Starbucks, certainly one of the most successful new B2C businesses to hit urban and recreational areas in years, smartly put coffee at the heart of its ‘third places’ or BEING SPACES. Needless to say, the other hot drink, tea is now getting in on the game as well, with tea rooms popping up everywhere from Taiwan to California. So, what’s next? Well, a third place deserves a third hot drink: add cocoa to the hot list!

Opportunities

Chocoholics and BEING SPACE fans: time to jump on the cocoa bandwagon! Though Hot Chocolate is heating up, you’re still early in the game. Australian Homemade in particular is pretty serious about franchising worldwide. So from partnering to licensing, to starting something from scratch: time to do some research.

Australian Homemade

And definitely keep an eye on Dutch Australian Homemade, a super-stylish, rapidly proliferating chain of chocolatiers selling chocolates, ice creams and hot chocolate (some stores have a café-section). After blanketing northern European countries, expansion is now taking place in the US, Korea and Australia. Australian has a Krispy-Kreme feel to it: visible in-house chocolate and ice-cream production, high quality, and an overall enthusiasm that may make it a global cult brand. However, what sets it apart from Krispy and other sweet indulgence chains is its cool design: its stores are decked out in funky steel and glass. We guess someone at Australian truly understands the GRAND BOUTIQUE trend.

Opportunities

Chocoholics and BEING SPACE fans: time to jump on the cocoa bandwagon! Though Hot Chocolate is heating up, you’re still early in the game. Australian Homemade in particular is pretty serious about franchising worldwide. So from partnering to licensing, to starting something from scratch: time to do some research.

Moonstruck Chocolate Café

In the US, the Moonstruck Chocolate Café chain is positioning itself as the Starbucks of Chocolate. Their six outlets, four in Oregon and two in Illinois, serve up seven flavors of hot chocolate, from Chocolate Chai and Malted Creamy Caramel to Mexican Cocoa, flavored with cinnamon and almond. Chocolate shakes come in flavors like root beer and berries and cream. Moonstruck even sticks with Starbucks’ tall, grande, and venti sizes to reinforce the global standardisation of ‘a home away from home’. Though there are no plans to franchise, growth plans are in the works: Moonstruck wants to open several more units and intends to introduce a proprietary dessert line.

Australian Homemade

And definitely keep an eye on Dutch Australian Homemade, a super-stylish, rapidly proliferating chain of chocolatiers selling chocolates, ice creams and hot chocolate (some stores have a café-section). After blanketing northern European countries, expansion is now taking place in the US, Korea and Australia. Australian has a Krispy-Kreme feel to it: visible in-house chocolate and ice-cream production, high quality, and an overall enthusiasm that may make it a global cult brand. However, what sets it apart from Krispy and other sweet indulgence chains is its cool design: its stores are decked out in funky steel and glass. We guess someone at Australian truly understands the GRAND BOUTIQUE trend.

Opportunities

Chocoholics and BEING SPACE fans: time to jump on the cocoa bandwagon! Though Hot Chocolate is heating up, you’re still early in the game. Australian Homemade in particular is pretty serious about franchising worldwide. So from partnering to licensing, to starting something from scratch: time to do some research.

Cadbury Cocoa House

Cadbury, the USD 1 billion chocolatier, just opened the Cadbury Cocoa House in Bath, UK. The new café gives consumers the chance to sample classic Cadbury ‘Moments of Pleasure’. Drinks range from hot chocolates and juices to a range of Chocolate Chillers: chilled chocolate milk drinks. Deserts and typical British fare are on the menu as well. As always, Springwise will keep a close eye on first results and expansion plans. (Source: Sara D’Amore.)

Moonstruck Chocolate Café

In the US, the Moonstruck Chocolate Café chain is positioning itself as the Starbucks of Chocolate. Their six outlets, four in Oregon and two in Illinois, serve up seven flavors of hot chocolate, from Chocolate Chai and Malted Creamy Caramel to Mexican Cocoa, flavored with cinnamon and almond. Chocolate shakes come in flavors like root beer and berries and cream. Moonstruck even sticks with Starbucks’ tall, grande, and venti sizes to reinforce the global standardisation of ‘a home away from home’. Though there are no plans to franchise, growth plans are in the works: Moonstruck wants to open several more units and intends to introduce a proprietary dessert line.

Australian Homemade

And definitely keep an eye on Dutch Australian Homemade, a super-stylish, rapidly proliferating chain of chocolatiers selling chocolates, ice creams and hot chocolate (some stores have a café-section). After blanketing northern European countries, expansion is now taking place in the US, Korea and Australia. Australian has a Krispy-Kreme feel to it: visible in-house chocolate and ice-cream production, high quality, and an overall enthusiasm that may make it a global cult brand. However, what sets it apart from Krispy and other sweet indulgence chains is its cool design: its stores are decked out in funky steel and glass. We guess someone at Australian truly understands the GRAND BOUTIQUE trend.

Opportunities

Chocoholics and BEING SPACE fans: time to jump on the cocoa bandwagon! Though Hot Chocolate is heating up, you’re still early in the game. Australian Homemade in particular is pretty serious about franchising worldwide. So from partnering to licensing, to starting something from scratch: time to do some research.