China’s Nowwa Coffee has big plans for Malaysia. It’s not alone

The healthy lifestyle chain joins a growing group of international operators seeking significant growth in one of East Asia’s fastest-developing branded coffee shop market

At the start of 2026, Shanghai-based Nowwa Coffee closed a multi-million-dollar Series C funding round to support expansion abroad.

The affordable lifestyle coffee chain had just made its international debut in Melbourne, Australia, and reached 10,000 stores in China – with the new investment announcement coming shortly before a launch in Indonesia.

Nowwa, popular among young consumers for its range of low-sugar and fruit-infused coffees, has now debuted in Malaysia – which is set to become the cornerstone of its international business.