UK’s Costa Coffee has partnered with Robinsons Retail Holdings to enter the Philippines.

With stores already located in Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia, the move into the Philippines expands its presence in Southeast Asia, with the first store planned to open in Manila early next year.

“We envisage a significant store opening program over the coming years, which will provide further employment opportunities and a stable infrastructure to continue our growth in the Southeast Asia region,” said Andy Marshall, MD of Costa Coffee international franchise.

Robina Gokongwei-Pe, president and COO of Robinsons Retail Holdings, adds: “We are pleased to be part of Costa’s exciting plans for growth in Southeast Asia and we look forward to forming a long term partnership with the brand. We will continue to invest in the region and bring additional job opportunities to the Filipino people.”

Having founded in London by Italian brothers Bruno and Sergio Costa in 1971, Costa currently operates across 30 countries and has more than 2900 stores globally, covering operations in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, North Africa, India, China and Southeast Asia.