Quick Answer
Blue Bottle Coffee was founded by James Freeman in Oakland, California, in 2002, and is known for small-batch roasting, pour-over coffee and carefully designed cafés. Nestlé acquired a 68% stake in September 2017. Its first café in Asia opened in Kiyosumi, Tokyo, in 2015, followed by Seoul (2019), Hong Kong (2020), Shanghai (2022) and Singapore (2025). In March 2026, reports said Centurium Capital had reached an agreement with Nestlé to acquire Blue Bottle’s retail business.
Blue Bottle Coffee at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2002, Oakland, California |
| Founder | James Freeman |
| 2017 | Nestlé acquires a 68% stake |
| Stores (June 2021) | 99 |
| Asia | Tokyo (2015), Seoul (2019), Hong Kong (2020), Shanghai (2022), Singapore (2025) |
Blue Bottle in Asia
Japan was Blue Bottle’s first market outside the US, followed by Korea and Greater China. Public sources do not show any Blue Bottle café in Taiwan.
3 Lessons for Café and Bubble Tea Operators
- Small menu, high quality: consistent ingredients matter. See non-dairy creamer and syrups.
- The space is the brand: see shop and bar counter planning.
- Growth after a strategic investor: see brand licensing and distribution.
How Tang Sugar Supports Cafés and Bubble Tea Shops
Tang Sugar supplies non-dairy creamer, syrups, tea leaves, cups and lids 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
Which country is Blue Bottle Coffee from?
It is an American brand founded in Oakland, California, in 2002.
Does Nestlé own Blue Bottle?
Nestlé acquired a 68% stake in September 2017. In March 2026, reports said Centurium Capital agreed with Nestlé to acquire Blue Bottle’s retail business.
Is there Blue Bottle Coffee in Taiwan?
Public sources do not show a Taiwan café. In Asia it operates in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, mainland China and Singapore.
Where was Blue Bottle’s first café in Asia?
Kiyosumi, Tokyo, opened in February 2015.
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Taking a Bubble Tea Brand Overseas: Market Assessment, Trademarks, Ingredient Supply Chain and Store Replication
