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 use 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. More information about the company is available at thehrccompanies.com.
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 designed to serve as a model for future licensed, company-owned, or franchised stores, with a build-out nearing completion after HRC Hospitality Corp. acquired the lease in 2024.
Gabriel Martinez, Chairman and CEO of Havana Roasters Coffee Companies Inc., stated that the Hollywood flagship marks an important step in executing the retail strategy, allowing the company to validate its operating model, refine customer experience, and establish a scalable foundation for growth. He added that beyond direct revenue generation, the cafe serves as a strategic asset supporting product innovation, brand visibility, and disciplined expansion across high-traffic urban markets.
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 gained from this location are expected to inform future site selection, unit economics, and rollout planning. The initial launch will be supported by a phased marketing program, followed by a formal grand opening and targeted media and community engagement events in the Hollywood market.
This 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. With nearly half of American coffee consumption being specialty coffee, consumer interest in premium and differentiated formats is growing. By operating a flagship location in a high-visibility market, HRC gains direct-to-consumer insights that may enhance brand positioning and accelerate commercialization across channels. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com.
