Caffè Nero currently operates more than 620 stores across the UK | Photo credit: Alexander London

Caffè Nero will open its first drive-thru store globally at London Stansted Airport this spring. 
 

The UK coffee chain has invested more than £1.2m ($1.5m) in the design and construction of the 1,200sq ft site, which will serve as a template for further roll-out of drive-thru stores across its global estate. 

The 24-hour store brings Caffè Nero’s presence at Stansted Airport to five outlets, although its position outside of the terminal means the store can also cater to non-airport customers. 

“I’m delighted that we are opening our first drive-thru store in the world. I didn’t want to open such a store until we found a location which had a format where we could offer a premium experience, combined with the convenience you would look for in a drive-thru. Our partnership with Stansted Airport allowed us to achieve just that. This store is an experiment for us. It allows Caffè Nero to expand its store format, and it will be the template for further drive-thru stores in the future,” said Gerry Ford, Founder and Group CEO, Caffè Nero. 

World Coffee Portal research shows the UK drive-thru market grew by 105 stores last year to reach 801 sites. Costa Coffee operates the most drive-thru stores across the country with 346, ahead of Starbucks (340) and Tim Hortons (62). 

Caffè Nero operates more than 620 stores across the UK, making it the fourth largest branded coffee chain in the country behind Costa Coffee, Greggs and Starbucks, which operate 2,677, 2,474 and 1,266 outlets respectively.