Cotti Coffee Expands to 35+ Australian Locations

Source: Industry Report / Cotti Coffee
Author: Qahwa World
Date: July 28, 2026

Cotti Coffee Expands to 35+ Australian Locations

  • Cotti Coffee opens three new Australian stores in July, bringing total to more than 35 locations.
  • New stores opened in Frankston (Victoria), Green Square (Sydney), and St Kilda (Melbourne).
  • The brand now has locations across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia.
  • Internationally, Cotti Coffee reports more than 18,000 venues in 33 countries.
  • The company was founded in 2022 by co-founders of Luckin Coffee.
  • Cotti Coffee specializes in fresh coffee, teas, and signature drinks.
  • New app customers receive their first three drinks for $3.95.

Chinese coffee chain Cotti Coffee continues its rapid Australian expansion. The brand opened three more venues in July. This brings its total Australian locations to more than 35.

New stores opened in Frankston, Victoria, and Green Square, Sydney. These followed a new outlet in St Kilda, Melbourne, at the end of June. The franchise-format group shows no signs of slowing down.

Expansion Timeline

Cotti Coffee’s first Australian venue opened in Cabramatta, Sydney, on January 31, 2024. By September 2025, the brand had 16 locations in Sydney, two in Perth, one on the Gold Coast, and one in Melbourne. The pace of expansion has accelerated significantly since then.

Cotti Coffee Australian Locations by State
State Locations
New South Wales (Sydney area) Multiple (Cabramatta, Manly Beach, North Sydney, Eastwood, Bondi Junction, Waterloo, Rosebery, Gadigal, Green Square, and more)
Victoria (Melbourne area) Multiple (St Kilda, South Yarra, Carlton, CBD, Springvale, Exhibition Street, Glenferrie, Clayton, Frankston)
Queensland Brisbane, Inala, Gold Coast
Western Australia Perth (2 locations)
South Australia Adelaide

Recent Openings

According to the brand’s Instagram page, Cotti Coffee has launched seven additional stores in New South Wales. These include Manly Beach, North Sydney, Eastwood, Bondi Junction, Waterloo, Rosebery, and Gadigal. The brand has also opened seven more stores in Victoria: South Yarra, Carlton, CBD, Springvale, Exhibition Street, Glenferrie, and Clayton.

In Queensland, the brand now has stores in Brisbane and Inala, in addition to the Gold Coast. Its first South Australian store opened in Adelaide. The brand’s presence now spans five Australian states.

Global Footprint

Internationally, Cotti Coffee reports having more than 18,000 venues in 33 countries. This rapid global expansion has made the brand one of the fastest-growing coffee chains in the world. The company was founded in 2022 by Lu Zhengyao and Qian Zhiya. They were two of the original co-founders of coffee giant Luckin Coffee.

Cotti Coffee specializes in fresh coffee, teas, and signature drinks. The brand is known for its competitive pricing and aggressive expansion strategy. As part of its launch initiative, it offers new app customers their first three drinks for $3.95. This promotion helps attract new customers and build brand loyalty.

Australian Coffee Market Context

Australia has a sophisticated and competitive coffee market. The country has a strong café culture with high consumer expectations. International chains have found success by adapting to local tastes and preferences.

Cotti Coffee’s expansion demonstrates the growing appetite for international coffee brands in Australia. The brand’s affordability and quality proposition appeal to a wide range of consumers. Its rapid growth suggests strong demand for its offerings.

What This Means for the Industry

Cotti Coffee’s expansion reflects broader trends in the global coffee industry. Chinese coffee brands are increasingly expanding internationally. They bring unique business models and value propositions to new markets.

For Australian consumers, the arrival of Cotti Coffee offers more choice and competition. This can drive innovation and value across the market. Established players may need to adapt their strategies to maintain market share.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Cotti Coffee locations are in Australia?As of July 2026, Cotti Coffee has more than 35 locations across Australia.

Where are the new stores located?New stores opened in Frankston (Victoria), Green Square (Sydney), and St Kilda (Melbourne).

When did Cotti Coffee arrive in Australia?The first Australian venue opened in Cabramatta, Sydney, on January 31, 2024.

How many stores does Cotti Coffee have globally?The brand reports more than 18,000 venues in 33 countries worldwide.

Who founded Cotti Coffee?The company was founded in 2022 by Lu Zhengyao and Qian Zhiya, co-founders of Luckin Coffee.

What does Cotti Coffee offer?Cotti Coffee specializes in fresh coffee, teas, and signature drinks, with a competitive pricing strategy.

The Barista League Launches 2026 Season, Redefining Coffee Competitions Worldwide

Dubai – Qahwa World

The Barista League has announced its groundbreaking 2026 Season, introducing a completely new competition format that reimagines what a coffee championship can be. The new concept, built around three central pillars — Concept, Service, and Product — marks a radical departure from traditional competitions that prioritize technical precision. Instead, it challenges baristas to craft and deliver experiential coffee concepts that merge creativity, storytelling, and service excellence.

According to The Barista League 2026 Rules, baristas are described as “the gatekeepers to the coffee experience.” Their role goes beyond brewing — they are responsible for translating the stories, culture, and craftsmanship behind coffee into memorable experiences for consumers.

A New Era for Coffee Competitions

In the restructured scoring system, Concept and Service together account for 62% of the total score, while Product represents 38%. This shift places greater emphasis on innovation, communication, and guest experience. Competitors will design complete experiential concepts that guide audiences through a sensory journey, using the stage, sound, and lighting of The Barista League to bring their ideas to life.

“We want to see bold, creative service concepts that push the boundaries of what a coffee experience can be,” said Steven Moloney, founder of The Barista League. “This stage is a platform for baristas to use in the most innovative and impactful ways they can imagine.”

Watchable, Interactive, and Global

The 2026 Season is designed to be dynamic and engaging for both in-person and online audiences. Judges and competitors will be mic’d up, performances will be displayed on large screens, and the events will include live commentary, interviews, and real-time scoring. Every event will also be live-streamed and available for replay, making the competition accessible to coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

A Platform for Innovation and Leadership

Staying true to its mission, The Barista League continues to highlight creativity, inclusivity, and leadership within the global coffee community. With minimal barriers to entry, the competition focuses on imagination and collaboration rather than expensive tools or technical setups.

“We are looking for baristas who want to push the boundaries of service, rethink what a coffee experience can be, and use this stage to shape the future of the industry,” the 2026 rules state.

Moloney added, “Despite enormous changes in the industry, the competition landscape has not developed significantly over the past 10 years. We want to create a platform for the future leaders of our industry to stand up and show us where we are going next.”

Global Tour Across Six Continents

The 2026 season will feature six events spanning six continents, each hosting six barista teams chosen by regional selection committees:

The Barista League — 2026 Locations & Dates
Continent City Date
Europe Prague 28 March 2026
Latin America Mexico City 8 May 2026
Asia Tokyo 11 June 2026
North America Atlanta 3 September 2026
Africa Johannesburg 3 October 2026
Pacific Brisbane 13 November 2026

For more information, visit thebaristaleague.com
.