Costa Coffee

Costa Coffee began as a small wholesale operation in London in 1971, when Italian brothers Bruno and Sergio Costa started roasting and supplying coffee to caterers and Italian coffee shops. Their signature Mocha Italia blend, a secret recipe from those early days, still anchors the brand. The first retail café opened in 1978, and the chain grew steadily until 1995, when British hospitality group Whitbread acquired it. Under Whitbread, Costa expanded aggressively, becoming the UK's largest coffeehouse chain and the second largest globally by store count. In January 2019, The Coca-Cola Company bought Costa for $4.9 billion, marking Coca-Cola's entry into hot beverages. Today, Costa operates thousands of stores across more than 30 countries, including a strong presence in China and a vast network of self-serve Costa Express machines. With over 18,000 employees, Costa continues to innovate, recently launching the Costa Coffee Smart Café, an autonomous system that serves over 200 barista-quality drinks in under 90 seconds.

The brand's headquarters sits in Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, England, though some records list Dunstable. Philippe Schaillee, a Coca-Cola executive, has led Costa as CEO since 2021, while James Quincey heads the parent company. Costa's product lineup spans hot and cold coffee drinks, teas, hot chocolate, and food like sandwiches, pastries, and cakes. Retail offerings include roasted and ground coffee, instant coffee, and pods sold through supermarkets and online platforms like Amazon. The Costa Express network, with more than 1,500 self-serve machines across the UK, brings the brand to petrol stations, convenience stores, and other high-traffic spots. In India, master franchisee Devyani International Limited (DIL) has called Costa a key anchor to its growth strategy, though recent store closures signal a strategic reset aimed at younger consumers.

Recent corporate moves have kept Costa in the news. In early 2026, Coca-Cola reportedly considered selling Costa but abandoned the sale after private equity offers fell short. Coca-Cola confirmed in February 2026 that it will retain full ownership, and has brought in restructuring consultants like AlixPartners and Alvarez & Marsal for an operational review. Meanwhile, Costa continues expanding its partnership with Sainsbury's, celebrating the 50th in-store Costa location, and opening new sites such as at Warsaw Modlin Airport in Poland. The brand positions itself as premium yet approachable, with marketing that emphasizes the Mocha Italia blend, barista skill, and a cozy atmosphere. Its loyalty program offers a free drink after ten purchases, and a strong social media presence keeps customers engaged. [edit]