% Arabica
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| Ltd. | |
| Industry | Coffee industry |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Kenneth Shoji |
| Headquarters | |
% Arabica (which looks like % ΔRΔBICΔ) is a popular international coffee shop chain. It was started in Hong Kong by a Japanese person named Kenneth Shoji. The company first had its main office in Hong Kong in 2013. Later, in 2019, a Japanese office was opened in Kyoto, Japan, which also became a main hub.
The very first % Arabica shop opened in Hong Kong in 2013. As of June 2025, the company has grown a lot, with 232 coffee shops all around the world!
Contents
How the Company Started
Kenneth Shoji's Idea
The coffee brand was created by Kenneth Shoji. After a big earthquake and tsunami hit Fukushima Prefecture in Japan in 2011, his house was destroyed. He then moved to Hong Kong.
After moving, he decided to start a coffee business. To learn more, he traveled to Hawaii and even bought a coffee farm there.
First Shops Open
In 2013, Shoji opened the very first % Arabica coffee shop in Hong Kong. Just one year later, in 2014, a very important shop opened in the historic Higashiyama area of Kyoto. This Kyoto store is now the company's main global office.
Awards and Special Machines
The coffee brand is known for using special espresso machines. These machines are custom-made in Seattle. They help the baristas (the people who make coffee) have more control when they create drinks.
In 2022, % Arabica won an award at The London Coffee Festival. They were given the "Most Notable New Cafe" award in the UK Coffee Awards 2022.
Coffee Shop Look and Feel
% Arabica stores are famous for their clean and simple style. This design fits with Japanese ideas of simple beauty. However, each store also adds local design elements that are inspired by the country it is in. Kenneth Shoji has worked with many different architects and design studios to create these unique spaces.
Growing Around the World
Global Expansion
As of June 2025, % Arabica has 232 stores across the globe. You can find their coffee shops in many countries. These include the United States, Canada, China, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Singapore, and many more.
The largest number of % Arabica stores are in mainland China. There are 91 shops there!
New Locations Open
In June 2020, % Arabica opened its first store in Thailand. This large shop in Bangkok quickly became very popular. At that time, it was the 48th % Arabica store worldwide.
The first % Arabica cafe in the United States opened in Dumbo, Brooklyn on June 11, 2021. Most % Arabica locations are run by other companies as franchises. However, the three stores in Kyoto are managed directly by the % Arabica company.
In August 2022, % Arabica opened its first store in Taiwan. It is located near Taipei Elephant Mountain. The first store in Bali, Indonesia, also opened at Kuta Beachwalk Mall. This Bali store was the first % Arabica to stop using plastic cups. This is a new goal for all % Arabica stores in the future. Soon after, in September 2022, the first store in South Korea opened in Seoul's Gangnam district. This marked % Arabica's 113th store around the world.
Gallery
- % Arabica Store locations
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% Arabica Kyoto Arashiyama
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% Arabica Kyoto Higashiyama
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% Arabica New York Dumbo Roastery
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% Arabica Wuxi Central 66
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% Arabica London Covent Garden
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% Arabica Shanghai West Jianguo Road
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% Arabica Kyoto Parasophia
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% Arabica Kuwait Roastery
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% Arabica Beijing The New Mall
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% Arabica in Hong Kong The Henderson
See also
- List of coffeehouse chains
