Milestone Marks Nearly Two Decades of U.S.

Growth 85°C Bakery Cafe opened its 100th U.S. location on September 18 in Aurora, Colorado, marking the Taiwanese bakery-café brand's entry into the state. The Parker Commons location represents a significant expansion milestone for a brand that first entered the U.S. market in 2008. The brand has grown from a single location in Irvine, California, to a nationwide chain operating across multiple states. The company now targets 150 U.S. locations by 2030.

Founder's Vision: Premium Quality at Everyday Prices 85°C Bakery Cafe was founded in Taiwan in 2003 by Cheng-Hsueh Wu after he visited a café at a five-star hotel and questioned why high-quality pastries and beverages were priced beyond everyday reach. He envisioned a café offering premium coffee, bread and cake at approachable prices. "Reaching 100 locations in the U.S. is an important milestone for 85°C and a reflection of the communities that have embraced the brand since we first entered the U.S. market," said Dave Lazaro, Marketing Director of 85°C Bakery Cafe. "Our goal has always been to deliver high-quality coffee, bread and cake at prices that make 85°C part of our guests' everyday lives."

Differentiated Bakery-Café Model Each 85°C location features an in-shop bakery with more than 50 varieties of pastries baked fresh hourly. The brand operates across four core categories: breads and pastries, cakes, handcrafted coffee, and tea beverages. The menu includes signature items such as Milk Pudding Bread, Choco Bun, Marble Taro, and Egg Tart. Cake offerings include Mango Crème Brûlée and Deluxe Strawberry Cream Cake. Beverage options range from Sea Salt Coffee and Sea Salt Jasmine Green Tea to matcha drinks, fruit smoothies, and Vietnamese Coffee. 85°C introduced boba and milk tea to its U.S. menu at its first American location—well before boba achieved mainstream popularity. The brand currently operates more than 1,000 locations worldwide.

Why It Matters

For operators, 85°C's 18-year growth trajectory demonstrates the viability of imported bakery-café concepts in the U.S. market, particularly those emphasizing fresh-baked goods and handcrafted beverages at mid-market price points. The brand's expansion strategy and menu diversification offer insights into scaling regional concepts across multiple states.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors