Who Owns The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation, the Philippine fast food group that acquired the chain in 2019 for approximately $350 million. Founded in 1963 in Los Angeles, the brand operates more than 1,000 stores across about 20 markets and is part of Jollibee's growing coffee and tea segment, which also includes Highlands Coffee and Compose Coffee.
Parent Company
Acquired
2019
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Timeline
Who Owns The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?
- Parent Company: Jollibee Foods Corporation
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2019
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: PSE: JFC
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf | Jollibee Foods Corporation | Wholly owned |
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History of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
- Founded: 1963
- Founders: Herbert B. Hyman
- Acquired by Jollibee Foods Corporation: 2019
Herbert B. Hyman opened the first Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in 1963 in Brentwood, Los Angeles, selling coffee beans and loose-leaf tea for home brewing. The Hyman family grew the chain gradually, adding beverages and the now-signature Ice Blended frozen coffee drinks, and by the 1990s the brand was an established Los Angeles rival to Starbucks.
International expansion began in the late 1990s and 2000s through franchise partners, building a strong footprint in Asia, particularly Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Middle East. The company remained privately held, controlled through the Hyman family and investor ownership groups.
Jollibee Foods acquired the chain in 2019 for about $350 million through its Singapore-based international arm, the deal giving the Philippine group a global premium coffee platform. The acquisition made Jollibee one of Asia's largest coffee operators overnight.
Under Jollibee, the brand has been integrated into a coffee and tea growth segment. As of late 2025 the system stood at about 1,079 stores, concentrated in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East with a smaller US presence. Jollibee has signaled continued investment in coffee formats globally, supported by the rapid scaling of sister brand Compose Coffee.
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About Jollibee Foods Corporation
Is Jollibee Foods Corporation publicly traded?
Yes, Jollibee Foods Corporation is publicly traded on the Philippine Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol JFC. The company has been publicly traded since 1993 and is one of the largest listed companies in the Philippines by market capitalization.
What were JFC's FY2025 financial results?
JFC reported FY2025 systemwide sales of PHP 455.1 billion (up 16.6%), consolidated revenues of PHP 305.1 billion (up 13.0%), operating income of PHP 20.2 billion (up 19.3%), and net income of PHP 10.9 billion (up 5.4%). The company opened 1,126 stores, bringing its total to 10,341 worldwide.
Who is JFC's CEO?
Ernesto Tanmantiong serves as Global President and CEO of Jollibee Foods Corporation. He has led the company's international expansion and multi-brand portfolio strategy, overseeing record financial performance in 2025.
What brands does Jollibee Foods Corporation own?
JFC owns and operates 19 brands including Jollibee, Chowking, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Burger King Philippines (franchise), The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Highlands Coffee, Compose Coffee, Smashburger, Milksha, and Tim Ho Wan.
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How many stores does Jollibee Foods Corporation operate?
As of December 31, 2025, JFC operates 10,341 stores worldwide: 3,504 in the Philippines and 6,837 internationally. The company opened 1,126 new stores in 2025, the highest annual total in its history, and plans to open 1,200 to 1,300 more in 2026.
What is JFC's 2026 outlook?
JFC projects 2026 systemwide sales growth of 8-12%, same store sales growth of 4-6%, store network increase of 5-10%, and operating income growth of 15-18%. CAPEX is expected to range from PHP 13.0 to 16.0 billion.
What is Compose Coffee?
Compose Coffee is a South Korean coffee chain acquired by JFC in 2024. It had approximately 2,200 stores at acquisition and has grown to 2,972 stores by end of 2025. Compose Coffee is on track to deliver a 36% Return on Invested Capital in 2025 and is a key growth driver in JFC's coffee and tea segment.
- Founded: 1978
- Headquarters: Quezon City, Philippines
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: PSE: JFC
- Revenue: PHP 305.1 billion (FY2025)
- Employees: Approximately 80,000
Where Is The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Categories & Tags
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Sustainability & Ethics
CBTL runs the Caring Cup Foundation and community programs in its markets, and it has made commitments on ethically sourced coffee, including relationships with Rainforest Alliance certified farms for portions of its supply.
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The brand is not B Corp certified. Tea sourcing and packaging sustainability fall under Jollibee's group-level "Joy for Tomorrow" agenda, which covers responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and community investment across the portfolio.
Awards & Recognition
CBTL products, particularly its teas and Ice Blended drinks, have appeared in consumer rankings and regional best-of lists across Asian markets. The brand's most durable recognition is its position as the original Los Angeles specialty coffee chain, predating the premium-coffee boom by decades.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Recalls & Controversies
CBTL has maintained a largely clean public record. There have been no major product safety recalls or regulatory actions in recent years. Occasional franchise-level labor or licensing disputes have arisen in specific markets, handled locally without escalating to corporate-level controversy.
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Brands Owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation
Food Service RestaurantsBurger King Philippines
Owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation
Philippine franchise of the Burger King fast food chain, operated by BK Titans, Inc. and majority-owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation (PSE: JFC). Burger King entered the Philippines in 1997. Jollibee acquired a 54% stake in BK Titans in 2011. Approximately 125 stores as of 2024.
hamburgersfast-foodflame-grilled
Food Service RestaurantsChowking
Owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation
Philippine fast food chain specializing in Chinese-inspired cuisine, founded in 1985 and owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation since 2000. Operates approximately 600 stores across the Philippines and international markets.
fast-foodchinese-cuisinephilippine-restaurant
Food Service RestaurantsJollibee
Owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation
Philippine fast food chain known for Chickenjoy fried chicken, owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation since 1978.
fried-chickenfast-foodfilipino-cuisine
Food Service RestaurantsMang Inasal
Owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation
Philippine fast food chain specializing in grilled chicken and Filipino cuisine, owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation.
grilled-chickenfast-foodfilipino-cuisine
Food Service RestaurantsRed Ribbon
Owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation
Philippine bakery and casual dining restaurant chain specializing in baked goods and Filipino cuisine, owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation.
bakerycasual-diningbaked-goods
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Jollibee's scale funds international franchise development
- +Sits inside the parent's fastest-growing coffee and tea segment
- +Sixty-year Los Angeles heritage provides authentic brand story
- +Strong franchise network across Asia and the Middle East
- +Shared supply chain and digital infrastructure with sister brands
Considerations
- -Competes against Starbucks at premium prices without equivalent US scale
- -Integration risk inside an acquisition-driven parent
- -Jollibee's capital priorities are split across 19 brands
- -US market presence is small relative to competitors
- -Coffee commodity cost volatility pressures franchise margins
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Sources & Further Reading
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Competitors to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sscp Management | United States | 1991 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Coca Cola Company | United Kingdom | 1971 | Mass market | United kingdom | All Genders | |
| Philz Coffee | USA | 2003 | Premium | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Food Service RestaurantsCorner Bakery Cafe
Owned by SSCP Management, Inc.
Chicago-born fast-casual bakery cafe founded in 1991, operating about 100 locations. Owned by Dallas-based SSCP Management since a 2023 bankruptcy acquisition.
fast-casualbakerycafe
Food BeverageCosta Coffee
Owned by The Coca-Cola Company
British coffee shop chain and roastery, the largest in the UK, owned by The Coca-Cola Company.
coffeecoffee-shopcafe
Food Service RestaurantsPhilz Coffee
Owned by Philz Coffee, Inc.
San Francisco-founded coffee chain known for made-to-order pour-over cups and the Mint Mojito iced coffee, with more than 80 stores in California and Chicago.
coffeecafespecialty-coffee
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf competes with 3 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Independent Alternatives to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Food Service RestaurantsPhilz Coffee
Owned by Philz Coffee, Inc.
San Francisco-founded coffee chain known for made-to-order pour-over cups and the Mint Mojito iced coffee, with more than 80 stores in California and Chicago.
coffeecafespecialty-coffee
Privately Owned
Philz Coffee is privately owned, unlike The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food Service RestaurantsBlue Bottle Coffee
Owned by Blue Bottle Coffee, Inc.
Oakland-founded specialty coffee roaster with about 140 cafes worldwide. Owned by Centurium Capital, the private equity firm behind Luckin Coffee, since a 2026 sale by Nestle.
specialty-coffeethird-wave-coffeecafes
Privately Owned
Blue Bottle Coffee is privately owned, unlike The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food Service RestaurantsPressed Juicery
Owned by Pressed Juicery, Inc.
Los Angeles wellness brand founded in 2010, operating about 100 juice retail stores plus a wholesale business reaching more than 5,000 retail locations including Costco and Target.
cold-pressed-juicewellnessjuice-cleanse
Privately Owned
Pressed Juicery is privately owned, unlike The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food Service RestaurantsCalifornia Pizza Kitchen
Owned by California Pizza Kitchen, Inc.
American casual dining restaurant chain known for innovative gourmet pizzas and California-inspired cuisine.
casual-diningpizzagourmet
Privately Owned
California Pizza Kitchen is privately owned, unlike The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food Service RestaurantsCorner Bakery Cafe
Owned by SSCP Management, Inc.
Chicago-born fast-casual bakery cafe founded in 1991, operating about 100 locations. Owned by Dallas-based SSCP Management since a 2023 bankruptcy acquisition.
fast-casualbakerycafe
Privately Owned
Corner Bakery Cafe is privately owned, unlike The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food Service RestaurantsBaskin-Robbins
Owned by Inspire Brands
American ice cream specialty chain founded in 1945, famous for its 31 flavors concept. Owned by Inspire Brands with more than 7,800 shops worldwide.
ice-creamdessertfranchise
Privately Owned
Baskin-Robbins is privately owned, unlike The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Jollibee Foods Corporation Stock Information
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