Zus Coffee
 | |
| Industry | Coffee shop |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | , Malaysia |
Number of locations | 360 (2023) |
Area served | Malaysia Philippines |
| Products |
|
| Owner | Zuspresso (M) Sdn. Bhd. |
| Website | zuscoffee |
Zus Coffee (stylized as ZUS Coffee) is a Malaysian coffee shop chain.
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 incline 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 in September 2023.[3][4] This marks as their first expansion outside Malaysia.[5]
Branding[edit]
The logo of Zus Coffee portrays the Ethiopian shepard Kaldi and its name is a portmanteau of the words "zeal" and "us". The branding and name has been subject to controversy in late 2023, when a Facebook page, called Muslims to boycott the brand insisting that the logo and name suggest that of the Greek mythological deity Zeus which led to the company to release an official rationale for their branding.[6]
Products and model[edit]
ZUS 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.[7] 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.