23.5 Degrees opens 90th Starbucks store in just nine years

This opening is part of an ambitious expansion plan to reach 300 stores by 2027

Starbucks first UK franchised business partner, 23.5 Degrees, opened its 90th store on 26 August in Blaydon, Gateshead. The opening is part of an ambitious expansion programme for 23.5 Degrees, which has a strong pipeline of approved stores and plans to reach 300 stores by 2027.

“In just over nine years we have built this company one store at a time,” said 23.5 Degrees managing director Mark Hepburn. “We could not have achieved our success without our investors, contractors and Starbucks itself. Most importantly, I’d like to thank our partners who have delivered day in and day out to ensure we continue to serve our customers and build the business.”

23.5 Degrees opened its first Starbucks store in Liphook, Hampshire, in February 2013 and is actively seeking both freehold and leasehold drive-thru opportunities on main arterial routes close to major retail destinations or on large industrial estates. These opportunities should be able to be designed into three standard-sized units – 1,500 sq ft, 1,800 sq ft and 2,200 sq ft and can either be modular or traditionally built. 

The multi-unit franchisee will also consider retail park and drive-to destinations, as well as high street units in prominent high footfall locations with a minimum size of 1,500 sq ft.

Mark added: “We’re able to move fast on great new sites. Our use of modular design and build enables our landlords to have our stores trading faster. We’re keeping our foot on the gas and plan to reach 300 stores in the next five years.”

23.5 Degrees has invested more than £31.5m in the UK economy to date through building and buying stores. The business’s management team has a track record of success in food service franchise businesses and specialises in rapidly growing firms.

The new store in Gateshead has been made possible by the repurposing of an existing building, which helps reduce our carbon footprint as well as speeding up the planning and build process.