An outlet of The White Bear Coffee in Bialystok, Poland | Photo credit: The White Bear Coffee

Polish coffee chain The White Bear Coffee has reported growing demand among franchisees to open new stores and a strong pipeline of sites for the year ahead. 
 

Founded in 2019, The White Bear Coffee currently operates 11 outlets in Poland, five of which are company-owned. Its latest café opened in April 2023 in Kraków. 

The business, which also operates its own roastery in Bialystok, has opened a total of seven new stores in the last 12 months and will open four further outlets this year in the cities of Łódź, Legnica, Kalisz and Łomża. 

Once opened, the four new stores will bring The White Bear Coffee’s franchise network to 10 outlets. 
 

“Our concept is gaining popularity because it combines the product with an interesting interior design. Thanks to this original design, specialty coffee and great service, our guests do not feel like they are in a typical chain store,” said Łukasz Kaliciński, co-owner of The White Bear Coffee. 
 

The White Bear Coffee is seeking further franchised outlet growth across Poland in 2024. The coffee chain said its approach is in response ‘to the needs of smaller and medium-sized cities’ across the central European country, where the boutique brand has the potential to gain a market edge. 

World Coffee Portal research shows the total Polish branded coffee shop market comprises more than 1,400 outlets, making it the seventh largest market in terms of stores across Europe. 

While domestic coffee chains have a strong presence in Poland, led by bakery café chains Cukiernia Sowa and Grycan, international brands hold the largest market share. 

McCafé is the largest operator in the country with 514 outlets, ahead of Cukiernia Sowa’s 163 stores and Costa Coffee’s 130 outlets. International coffee chains Caffè Nero, which operates as Green Caffè Nero in Poland, and Starbucks, also have a strong presence in the country, with approximately 70 sites each. 

The Polish branded coffee shop market is forecast to reach 1,508 outlets by 2028.