Quick Answer
85°C Bakery Cafe was founded by Gourmet Master Co. in Yonghe, Taiwan, in 2004. Founder Wu Cheng-hsueh set out to sell hotel-quality coffee and cakes at street prices. Its first US store opened in Irvine, California, in 2008. It had more than 80 US stores in early 2025, expanded to the East Coast and aims to pass 100. In Taiwan it had nearly 400 stores (May 2026 report).
85°C at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004, Yonghe (New Taipei), Taiwan |
| Company | Gourmet Master Co. |
| Founder | Wu Cheng-hsueh |
| Taiwan stores | Nearly 400 (May 2026) |
| United States | First store Irvine, CA, 2008; 80+ stores in early 2025 |
85°C in the United States
85°C started in Southern California, then grew into Northern California and Texas. In 2025 it entered New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma, supported by central kitchens in Southern California, Northern California and Texas.
3 Lessons for Bakeries and Cafés
- Sell coffee with baked goods: see bakery ingredients and red bean paste and fillings.
- Central kitchens need steady imports: see our sourcing agent service.
- Taiwanese flavors travel well: see creamer and syrups.
How Tang Sugar Supports Cafés and Bubble Tea Shops
Tang Sugar supplies bakery ingredients, fillings, creamer, syrups and packaging from Taiwan, quoted together for your menu and consolidated into one shipment. We also offer an international sourcing agent service and tea shop planning. Contact us for bulk and wholesale quotes.
Note: this article summarizes public information about the brand. Caitang International (Tang Sugar) has no partnership or affiliation with the brands mentioned; brand names and trademarks belong to their owners. Figures are as of each source’s publication date.
Products in this article
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FAQ
Where is 85°C from?
85°C is a Taiwanese brand founded by Gourmet Master in Yonghe, New Taipei, in 2004.
How many 85°C stores are in the US?
More than 80 in early 2025, with a target of over 100.
Where was the first 85°C in the US?
Irvine, California, opened in 2008.
How many 85°C stores are in Taiwan?
Nearly 400, according to a May 2026 report.
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