Quick Answer
Costa Coffee was founded in London in 1971 by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa and is one of the UK’s largest coffee chains. Coca-Cola bought Costa in 2018 for about US$5.1 billion. It has about 2,700 outlets in the UK and Ireland. In October 2026, Semafor reported that Coca-Cola was again exploring a sale of Costa.
Costa Coffee at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1971, London |
| Founders | Sergio and Bruno Costa |
| Owner | Coca-Cola (bought in 2018 for about US$5.1 billion) |
| UK and Ireland outlets | About 2,700 (2026 reports) |
| 2025 | Operating profit of £20 million, after a 2024 loss |
Recent Developments
Coca-Cola explored selling Costa in late 2025 and called it off in early 2026; in October 2026 Semafor reported a renewed sale process. In the UK, bakery chain Greggs now has more outlets than Costa.
3 Lessons for Café and Bubble Tea Operators
- Big buyers value channels: Costa also brought vending and ready-to-drink coffee. See private label products.
- Bakeries are competitors too: see bakery ingredients.
- Add tea drinks: bubble tea keeps growing in Europe. See tapioca pearls and tea leaves.
How Tang Sugar Supports Cafés and Bubble Tea Shops
Tang Sugar supplies tapioca pearls, tea leaves, creamer, bakery ingredients 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
All 487 Bubble Tea & Boba Ingredients →
FAQ
Which country is Costa Coffee from?
Costa Coffee is a British brand founded in London in 1971.
Who owns Costa Coffee?
Coca-Cola, which bought it in 2018 for about US$5.1 billion; in October 2026 Coca-Cola was reported to be exploring a sale again.
How many Costa stores are in the UK?
About 2,700 in the UK and Ireland, according to 2026 reports.
Is there Costa Coffee in Taiwan?
Public sources do not show stores in Taiwan; check official announcements.
Related Reading
Where Is Starbucks From? Seattle Roots, 40,990 Stores Worldwide and 600 in Taiwan
Where Is Tim Hortons From? Canada’s Favorite Coffee Chain With 6,232 Restaurants
Where Is Blue Bottle Coffee From? Oakland Roots, Nestlé’s Stake and Expansion in Asia
Taking a Bubble Tea Brand Overseas: Market Assessment, Trademarks, Ingredient Supply Chain and Store Replication
