Havana Roasters Coffee Companies Inc. has granted a license to HRC Hospitality Corp. to operate the company's first branded cafe under the Havana Roasters Coffee Cuban Bakery & Sandwich Bar name in Hollywood, California. This flagship location represents a key milestone in the company's retail and brand expansion strategy, with operations expected to commence by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
The license authorizes HRC Hospitality Corp. to utilize all Havana Roasters Coffee branded products, intellectual property, and operating concepts at the Hollywood location and future sites developed under the company's guidance. Havana Roasters Coffee Company Inc. will receive a licensing fee and hold a negotiated equity stake in this location, centralizing brand ownership while enabling operational flexibility for expansion. HRC Hospitality Corp. acquired the lease for the Hollywood location in 2024 and has completed an extensive build-out to create a model store designed to serve as a standardized operating template for future licensed, company-owned, or franchised locations.
The new store will feature Cuban-style gourmet coffee, a 24-hour walk-up window, a sandwich bar, and a bakery with company-made pastelitos and desserts. Cuban-style coffee is one of the most widely recognized ethnic coffee traditions in the U.S. but remains largely fragmented and localized, creating an opportunity for a branded, scalable concept built on authenticity. The flagship location is intended to function as a live testing and training environment, supporting product development, customer engagement strategies, staff training programs, and operational refinement. Insights from this location are expected to inform future site selection, unit economics, and rollout planning.
Gabriel Martinez, Chairman and CEO of Havana Roasters Coffee Companies Inc., stated that the Hollywood flagship marks an important step in executing the company's retail strategy, allowing validation of the operating model, refinement of customer experience, and establishment of a scalable foundation for future growth. Martinez added that beyond direct revenue generation, this cafe serves as a strategic asset supporting product innovation, brand visibility, and disciplined expansion across high-traffic urban markets. The Hollywood retail launch complements the company's broader multi-channel growth strategy, which includes wholesale distribution, consumer packaged goods, e-commerce, hospitality services, and future franchise opportunities.
Nearly half of American coffee consumption is specialty coffee, underscoring growing consumer interest in premium and differentiated formats. By operating a flagship location in a high-visibility market like Hollywood, HRC gains direct-to-consumer insights that may enhance brand positioning and accelerate commercialization across channels. The initial launch will be supported by a phased marketing program, followed by a formal grand opening and targeted media and community engagement events. More information about the company is available at thehrccompanies.com.
