Indonesian coffee chains chase bigger dreams abroad

Indonesia's home-grown coffee chains are pushing beyond their borders, turning the country's coffee heritage into a selling point across Southeast Asia. As Nikkei Asia reports, three of the biggest names, Kopi Kenangan, Fore, and Tomoro, are opening outlets in the region and leaning on their Indonesian roots to stand out.

At Kopi Kenangan's shops in Singapore, customers can choose which Indonesian island their beans come from, such as Aceh, Bali, or Flores. That kind of heritage branding turns a simple cup of coffee into a taste of Indonesia, and helps the chains compete against global rivals. The push abroad is partly driven by slower growth at home and strong demand in neighbouring countries.

The move follows a familiar path. Korean and Japanese food and coffee brands grew big by expanding across Asia, and Indonesian companies are now trying the same. For a country that grows some of the world's best-known coffee, selling finished cups abroad, rather than just raw beans, could keep more of the value at home.

Why it matters

When Indonesian brands succeed abroad, they carry the country's name and create jobs and income at home, not just for growers but for a wider business chain. It is a rare example of Indonesia selling a finished product, not just raw materials. Watch whether these chains can hold their own against global giants, or retreat when growth gets harder.