Israeli value-focused coffee chain Cofix is planning to re-enter the Kazakhstani market within the next 12 months and has outlined an ambitious target to open 200 stores within the next five years.
Cofix first launched in Kazakhstan in December 2020 with a store at the Promenade shopping centre in Almaty and opened a second site at Shymkent Plaza the following June. However, its Almaty store was looted during violent anti-government protests in January 2022 – which led to the coffee chain’s franchise partner terminating its licensing agreement.
Speaking at the World of Trade 2024 event in Almaty on 6 June 2024, Ekaterina Panova, Director of Business Development for Cofix Russia, said the brand’s re-entry will initially focus on the major cities of Almaty and Astana, with 10 stores set to open by the end of 2025. The business will then seek to expand to other cities, including Shymkent and Aktobe, before ramping up outlet growth in 2026.
Cofix has not shared details of its new franchise partner, but said coffee served in its Kazakhstani stores will be imported fr om its roastery in Russia.
“We see a niche we can occupy. According to Allegra World Coffee Portal’s Project Café Europe 2024, there were 231 branded coffee shops in Kazakhstan in 2023. The market will grow by 8.7% per year and reach 350 cafés by 2028,” Panova said.
Founded in 2013, Cofix now operates more than 400 stores across Israel, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Spain and Armenia. Approximately 90% of the chain’s outlets are run by franchise partners, with Russia – wh ere Cofix has more than 275 stores – accounting for roughly 60% of turnover.