The New Orleans chain PJ’s Coffee has opened its first shop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The cafe is located in the Union Square shopping mall, while a second shop is planned to be opened in December. Within five years, PJ’s plans to open 10 more shops in Vietnam and 10 more in other Southeast Asian markets before moving into the Middle East.
The company says the Vietnamese population’s passion for coffee – with similar daily consumption habits to people in New Orleans – has encouraged the expansion plan.
The Vietnam PJ’s Coffee shop menu features pastries, teas and iced, frozen and hot coffee drinks.
PJ’s, now under the management of Ballard Brands, was founded in 1978 by Phyllis Jordan and operates 85 coffee shops in seven states of the US.
In Vietnam, the chain is managed by master franchisee Rick Yvanovich.