Coffee Republic has signed a deal with a Turkish retail company to develop the chain in Turkey, the country that invented the coffee house, and said that it was also looking at markets in the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe.

The coffee and deli bar operator, which ousted its founder, Bobby Hashemi, last year, said that the agreement with Ada Kahve Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi gives it the right to develop Coffee Republic delis and recruit franchisees to operate the delis in Turkey.

The agreement is Coffee Republic’s second international franchise deal after Bulgaria.

Read Story: Times Online

Posted by beanybabe at 12:16 AM PDT

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Trend Hospitality, which controls the Centro coffee shop chain, is witnessing average revenues worth 300,000 euros from each of its coffee shops on the Capital market. “Some generate higher revenues, some lower, as the concepts and services offered by each are different - this overall figure is based on a total average,” says Tinu Sebesanu, CEO of the company.

At an average value of 300,000 euros, the five coffee shops in Bucharest generate a 1.5 million-euro turnover. The owners intend to expand further with another three locations, each requiring an investment of approximately 200,000-euros. “We want to expand our network of coffee shops within hotels, as well and also have demand for franchises in several big cities,” says the representative of Trend Hospitality, which also manages the operations of the Wyndham hotel group (the Howard Johnson and Ramada brands) in Romania.The company also holds a licence for the Hard Rock Cafe international coffee shop chain for Romania, and according to Sebesanu, the first Hard Rock Cafe coffee shop will be opened by the end of the year. Its location will be announced in April.

Source: Ziarul Financiar

Posted by beanybabe at 12:15 AM PDT

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Yes, the cup has a hole. Yes, you plug it up with a key. Yes, it may leak, but who knows? Designed by Efrat Gommeh Industrial Design in Israel, the cup is made from ceramics and injection-molded plastic.

Via: Gearfuse

Posted by beanybabe at 12:27 AM PDT

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The ICO (International Coffee Organisation) composite indicator price fluctuated between a range of 101.99 -106.17 US cents/lb during the month compared to 103.92 - 109.09 US cents/lb in January.

“The ‘El Nino’ phenomenon, which had decreased in intensity in December 2006, became slightly stronger in January 2007 before slackening again in February,” said the organisation.

“It is still too early, however, to assess its impact on the coffee economy. In relation to the Brazilian situation, information received from EMBRAPA indicates that coffee producers are currently concerned about the unseasonable flowering of coffee trees.”

Read More: Food Navigator.com

Posted by beanybabe at 12:20 AM PDT

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Tully’s Coffee Corp. announced its intent to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed underwritten public offering of its common stock. The filing of such a registration statement is subject to applicable economic and capital market conditions, and would be subject to review by the SEC. The company expects to file the registration statement before the end of April 2007.

Tully’s Coffee anticipates that gross proceeds from the offering will be approximately $50 million. Proceeds will fund expansion of the company’s retail and wholesale operations, working capital and general corporate purposes.

A registration statement relating to these securities has not yet been filed with the SEC. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall neither constitute an offer to sell, nor the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

Source: Amonline

Posted by beanybabe at 12:17 AM PDT

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