China's Luckin Coffee presses into Malaysia, brews plans to expand

Mega chain aims to reach 200 outlets in two years, taking on Starbucks and others

Customers take selfies at the first Luckin Coffee in Malaysia which opened on Jan. 23. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)

NORMAN GOH

January 23, 2025 16:06 JST

KUALA LUMPUR -- China's Luckin Coffee opened its first two Malaysian stores on Thursday as it brews ambitious plans to expand in the Southeast Asia nation.

The largest coffee chain in China -- where its nearly 20,000 stores are more than double the number operated by rival Starbucks -- is set to launch three more outlets in Malaysia this month and expects to start another 200 there over the next couple of years, aiming to establish itself as one of the nation's top three coffee brands.