It's official: Starbucks is coming to South Africa. But some locals say, "No thanks."
Reports recently revealed that coffee chain Starbucks will open branches in South Africa next year after a deal with Taste Holdings, and the company said it wants to become part of the growth of coffee market in the region.
Taste Holdings reportedly entered in an exclusive agreement with Starbucks which allows them to operate coffee shops selling the brand for a span of 25 years.
"We are proud to be brining Starbucks to South Africa next year," Starbucks EMEA President Kris Engskoy said in the report. "The coffee market here is vibrant and growing fast - we want to be part of that growth."
Many of the Starbucks coffee menu include varieties that come from coffee beans that are harvested in Africa. For instance, the Red East Africa blend being served in some stores is said to contain beans from East Africa with citrus, herbal and spice notes.
Another coffee variety is the Africa Kitamu whole bean coffee and is being sold in the grocery channel in the US and Canada, the company website said.
Starbucks in South Africa is also seen as an opportunity for the locals to finally get the taste of how Starbucks makes the final products from their coffee harvest, as the deal reportedly includes rights to other countries in Africa.
Details about which countries are included on the list have not yet been revealed.
The coffee chain reportedly gets its coffee from nine countries in the continent: Kenya, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and Rwanda. Any of these countries may have their own Starbucks coffee shop aside from South Africa.
However, reactions about this Starbucks South Africa venture are blended -- with some saying they would rather have local coffee.
Website Eat Out shared some tweets that posted reactions about this news.
"Starbucks. Another US brand set to bravely plunge into our little doddering economy. Support local, peeps," Twitter user Bienne Huisman wrote.
ZA Coffee Army also shared their thoughts, "South Africa doesn't need you, @Starbucks! You can keep your faux coffee flavored drinks. We prefer our burgeoning artisanal coffee scene."
Despite these, others are excited about Starbucks in South Africa, with some even joking if they can buy shares just to get the brand to African shores, the report added.
"It's quite a big market in South Africa. We have got established players with lots of experience," said Wayne McCurrie, an investor.
