Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf: Owner, Origin, Menu & Deals

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf started in 1963 as an American coffee chain, quietly building a following in California and later across Asia. Today, that familiar green-and-white logo is owned by a Filipino fast-food giant based in Singapore. The chain now operates over 1,200 locations across 24 markets, and Jollibee Foods Corporation paid $350 million to bring it into the family in 2019. This article unpacks who owns it, why Singapore became its nerve center, and how to get the most out of every visit.

Founded: 1963 ·
Owner: Jollibee Group ·
Origin: United States ·
Global HQ: Singapore ·
Nationality link: Filipino-owned

Key facts about the chain trace its ownership, origins, and product focus in a single overview.

Who owns Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf?

Jollibee Foods Corporation—a Philippine-based fast-food conglomerate—has owned The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf since 2019. The acquisition cost $350 million, making it Jollibee’s largest single purchase at the time, according to Wikipedia and confirmed across multiple industry sources. Jollibee invested $100 million for an 80% stake in Java Ventures LLC, the holding company structured to complete the purchase, with Highlands Coffee—their Vietnam partner—holding the remaining 20%, as reported by Nation’s Restaurant News (industry trade publication).

Connection to Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation operates 14 brands across 20 countries, with 1,759 stores worldwide as of December 31, 2024, according to The Straits Times (Singapore business news). The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf acquisition added 14% to Jollibee Foods’ global systemwide sales and expanded its total store network by 26%, per Nation’s Restaurant News. Tony Tan Caktiong, Jollibee’s chairman, announced the deal as the company’s most ambitious international move yet. Dennis Flores, president of Jollibee Group EMEAA, now oversees Coffee Bean operations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

History of ownership changes

Before Jollibee’s involvement, International Coffee & Tea, LLC—a Los Angeles-based company—operated The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for decades, according to Wikipedia. John Fuller, president and CEO of the parent company at the time, confirmed the acquisition would close within approximately 60 days. Under Jollibee ownership, the chain’s store count dipped from 1,189 locations at acquisition to 1,048 by 2021 before recovering to 1,232 locations as of 2024, per Wikipedia. Approximately three-quarters of locations operate as franchises, as noted by Nation’s Restaurant News.

Is Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Filipino?

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is American by origin and history, but Filipino by ownership. Jollibee Foods Corporation, founded in the Philippines in the 1970s, completed its $350 million acquisition of the chain in 2019. The brand operates as a subsidiary under Jollibee’s international portfolio, alongside brands like Smashburger and Yonghe King.

American origins with Filipino ownership

Founded in 1963 in California, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf spent over five decades as a Los Angeles-based chain, as documented by Wikipedia. The chain expanded internationally throughout the 2000s and 2010s, particularly in Southeast Asia, where it developed a loyal following before Jollibee’s acquisition brought it into Philippine ownership. Jollibee has grown from two ice cream parlors in the Philippines to 14 brands with operations spanning 20 countries, according to Restaurant Dive (food service industry analysis).

Impact on brand identity

For customers in established markets like the United States, the ownership change has been largely invisible at the store level—the same green logo, the same menu, the same baristas. What shifted is the strategic direction: Singapore now serves as the innovation hub, with Home Grounds handling global product development and market expansion planning. John In de Braekt, CEO of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, leads the international chain under Jollibee’s oversight.

Why does The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf have its global headquarters in Singapore?

Singapore houses The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s global headquarters—called Home Grounds—established in 2023, as tracked by RecordOwl (corporate registry database). The facility began hiring personnel in 2020, marking the start of a multi-year transition from Los Angeles-based leadership to Singapore-based operations.

Strategic Asia-Pacific hub

Jollibee entered Singapore’s market in 2013 and now operates 26 outlets there as of 2025, according to The Straits Times. The Economic Development Board of Singapore describes Jollibee as one of the most innovative international players in Singapore’s competitive fast-food landscape, with four new outlets opening in 2025—including locations at the National University of Singapore and Punggol Digital District. A new Hougang Mall outlet is scheduled to open in December 2025.

Expansion reasons

Singapore offers strategic advantages as a headquarters location: English as the working language, favorable business regulations, a central timezone for managing operations across Asia and the Middle East, and a reputation as a testing ground for international concepts before broader rollout. Jollibee’s Q1 2025 results showed 27.8% systemwide sales growth across Southeast Asia operations outside the Philippines, per Jollibee Group Official (corporate news release). The company plans to add 4-5 new stores yearly in Singapore over the next three to five years.

Why are Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf so good?

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf distinguishes itself through globally sourced coffee and tea products, with beans selected from multiple origins and roasted to specified profiles. Customer reviews frequently cite consistent quality and the chain’s commitment to maintaining flavor standards across both company-owned and franchised locations.

Coffee and tea sourcing

The chain sources coffee beans from various international growing regions, with a focus on arabica varieties and a roasting process that emphasizes freshness. Tea products include classic options alongside specialty drinks like matcha lattes and chai-based beverages. The company offers retail products—including coffee beans, tea leaves, and powdered drink mixes—for home preparation, available through their online store.

Unique offerings

The menu extends beyond standard coffee drinks to include food items, ice cream, and seasonal specials. Locations in different markets adapt local offerings—for example, selected outlets in the Middle East and Asia offer regional flavors alongside core menu items. The Rewards program provides points for purchases, which can accumulate toward free drinks and food items.

How to get 50% off at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf?

The most reliable path to discounts at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is the Coffee Bean Rewards program, which allows members to accumulate points on purchases. Promotional offers vary by market—some regions run birthday rewards, happy hour periods, or mobile app exclusives that can deliver significant savings.

Rewards program details

The Coffee Bean Rewards program operates through the chain’s mobile app, where members earn points for every purchase. Points redeem for free drinks and food items, with bonus opportunities during promotional periods. The app also delivers location-based offers and early access to seasonal menu launches. Franchise locations may participate in the rewards program depending on market, though participation varies.

Franchise and deals info

For entrepreneurs interested in franchise ownership, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf offers licensing opportunities across multiple markets. Franchise investment costs vary significantly by region—India market information suggests entry points in the range of $50,000 to $200,000 depending on location size and territory. Prospective franchisees should contact the company directly through official channels for current opportunities and financial requirements specific to their target market.

Jollibee Foods Corporation bet $350 million in 2019 that Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf could become a truly global brand under Philippine ownership. Five years later, the numbers tell a mixed story: store closures in the short term, followed by a steady recovery to 1,232 locations. The headquarters relocation to Singapore signals where Jollibee sees the growth—Asia-Pacific markets, not the American suburbs where the brand was born.

For coffee drinkers in established markets, the day-to-day experience hasn’t changed much—the same menu, the same green chairs, the same espresso. But behind the counter, decisions now flow from Singapore’s Home Grounds, not Los Angeles. For franchise seekers, that means watching Jollibee’s expansion playbook for cues on which markets will get priority. For regular customers, the rewards app remains the clearest path to free drinks and 50% off promotions.

Related reading: R&B Tea Menu

Explore the detailed menu prices alongside franchise details to discover popular drinks, food options, and pairings for the 50% off rewards.

Frequently asked questions