UCC Ueshima Coffee Philippines, the café business of the Mugen Group, is expanding from its upscale clientele to tap into the much biggest Gen Z market through its new XPRESSO by UCC concept.
In an interview, Mugen Group President and CEO Herbert U. Young said the new concept will offer coffee enthusiasts a quick fix plus a bite to eat at its first XPRESSO by UCC which opened at Petron Bel-Air in Makati.
“At XPRESSO, we understand that you’re always on the go, and we are here to fuel your journey with a shot of happiness. XPRESSO by UCC is more than just a coffee kiosk; it is a testament to our commitment to providing you with the best quality coffee, quickly and conveniently,” said cofeepreneur Young.
He added that, “We are proud to offer our products at affordable prices without compromising on quality. Our coffee and food items are meticulously crafted to ensure they meet the high standards that UCC is known for. From P60 to P180 for beverages and P70 to P120 for food items, XPRESSO makes premium coffee accessible to everyone.”
The Mugen Group focuses on bringing Japanese food and beverages to the Philippines and holds the master franchises for UCC cafes, Coco Ichibanya curry house, Tendon Kohaku, MOS Burger, Mitsuyado Sei-Men House of Tsukemen, Shaburi Japanese shabu-shabu, Kintan Buffet Japanese barbeque, and Yamato bakery café.
The new XPRESSO by UCC’s menu includes to-go coffee and non-coffee varieties that are perfect with their pastries and sandwiches. The menu items are designed to be ready-to-carry for customers on their way to school, work, or home.
While having an intimate knowledge of coffee, Young said he also knows bread very well as he is a scion of the Young family that owns General Milling Corporation which is one of the country’s top flour producers.
“That is why the bread we use for our sandwiches are so soft and tasty,” he said noting that their sandwiches are similar to those available in Japan’s konbinis or convenience stores which are very popular.
The store’s design and branding are heavily influenced by Japanese pop culture and aesthetics as can be seen in its logo, which consists of a red circle (similar to the Nisshōki or Japanese flag) and the XPRESSO name, all contained within a stacked box.
XPRESSO by UCC caters to coffee lovers from different age groups -- GenX, Millennials, and GenZ who are looking for quality coffee on-the-go.
According to the World Coffee Portal Research, the Philippines is the second largest individual coffee-consuming market in Asia with 80 percent of Filipinos drinking an average of 2.5 cups a day. Japan comes in first place.
These numbers reflect that coffee is not just a pastime for Filipinos, but an integral part of their lifestyle.
With this in mind, XPRESSO by UCC seeks to serve Filipino coffee drinkers who are looking for new coffee offerings that don’t compromise on quality.
“As we move forward, we remain dedicated to our mission: to provide convenient coffee venues that serve the finest flavors of Japanese coffee at an affordable price. Each cup of XPRESSO coffee is a promise of quality and a moment of joy,” Young said.