Taiwan’s HWC Coffee to open 40 stores across Malaysia this year

After making its international debut in April 2022, HWC is planning further expansion in Malaysia and its first store in Brunei

Taiwan’s HWC Coffee is seeking to open 40 stores across Malaysia this year and has announced plans to launch in Brunei in April 2023.

The specialty coffee chain, which operates 70 stores across Taiwan, made its international debut in April 2022 with a store at Malaysia’s 1 Utama Shopping Centre.

HWC Coffee, which partnered with e-commerce platform Subplace to launch in Malaysia, now operates 18 outlets across the Southeast Asian country.

It is also planning to open a flagship store and coffee academy in Klang Valley in May 2023.

HWC Coffee Malaysia CEO Zenda Ng said the flagship store will provide a more premium range of coffee compared with its other outlets, while the coffee academy will offer barista training programmes and specialty coffee experiences.

World Coffee Portal research forecasts the Malaysian branded coffee shop market will exceed 2,750 outlets by 2025, led by the expansion of coffee-focused chains.

HWC Coffee will also utilise its growing presence in Malaysia to open its first store in neighbouring Brunei in April 2023.

With a population of approximately 445,000, Brunei has a small branded coffee shop market.

US chains Starbucks, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Gloria Jean’s all operate outlets in the country, alongside a small contingent of domestic independent cafés, such as Kopifix and Roasted Sip Coffee Roasters.