KUALA LUMPUR: Local coffee chain, Zus Coffee, aims to enter Pakistan and Morocco by the first half of 2026 in line with the company’s vision to expand its footprint beyond ASEAN.
Co-founder and chief operating officer Venon Tian told Bernama that the coffee chain expects to open its first store in Pakistan through a local master franchise, while its first store in Morocco should open in the first or second quarter of 2026.
"We are exploring opportunities outside ASEAN,” he said.
Tian said Zus Coffee is also targeting to increase the number of stores in Malaysia to 850. It aims to have 20 stores in Thailand and 190 to 200 in the Philippines, where it currently operates.
It also plans to launch its first Indonesian outlet in the first quarter of next year.
"We are expecting to surpass the 1,000-store mark overall by end-2025,” Tian said.
Currently, Zus Coffee remains the fastest-growing coffee chain in Southeast Asia with over 900 stores and more than 6,000 employees.
Commenting on potential plans to list Zus Coffee, Tian said the company is focused on strengthening its business growth.
"For us, it is always business first rather than pursuing a corporate exercise pathway. For now, we are taking things step-by-step. There is no priority (for listing) at the moment,” he said.
On Budget 2026 scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Oct 10, Tian hopes the government will give more benefits and incentives to Malaysian entrepreneurs and give top priority to Malaysians’ social welfare needs.
"Budget 2026 needs to look after the well-being of the people. That is very important.
"On coffee-related issues specifically, we are hoping there will be initiatives to empower local coffee farmers and traders that could actually bring up the entire (coffee eco-system),” said Tian. - Bernama
