Kofe Khauz

Kofe Khauz emerged in Moscow in 1999 as part of the expansion of contemporary coffeehouse culture in Russia. Entrepreneur Timur Khairutdinov founded the chain after developing a concept influenced by Italian café traditions. Company information cited in reference material describes Milan as the place where the initial idea took shape. It also states that the chain’s first Russian bartenders studied coffee preparation in Italy under the barista Giuseppe Grasse. The first café opened on September 29, 1999, in Moscow’s Gallery Actor shopping center. The business expanded quickly within Moscow. By 2001, it reportedly operated five establishments in the capital. It later broadened its presence across Russia, with a significant expansion in St. Petersburg by 2006, when approximately 30 coffee shops were reported there. As the network grew, management created a production workshop for confectionery and related products. This gave the company an internal source for at least part of the food and dessert range served through its coffeehouses. Kofe Khauz eventually developed a network of more than 200 establishments across Russian cities and neighboring countries. Reported locations included Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, and Kyiv. The chain’s structure included both company-linked and franchised coffee shops. Its cross-border presence made the brand commercially visible in Ukraine as well as Russia, but it also exposed the Ukrainian operation to political controversy. In 2013, the Ukrainian branch was criticized by activists who accused it of anti-Ukrainian attitudes and of treating visitors disrespectfully. The criticism intensified in the context of deteriorating Russian-Ukrainian relations. During the summer of 2014, activists connected with the “Do not buy Russian goods!” campaign organized flash mobs and protests at several Kyiv coffeehouses. The demonstrations sought to inform customers that the chain originated in Russia and argued that spending at the shops supported the Russian economy. The available reference does not document a conclusive company response or quantify any effect on sales or closures. The company also faced financial problems. In early 2014, negotiations began over selling part of the chain to Shokoladnitsa, a major competitor in the Russian coffeehouse market. By late summer, reports indicated that the proposed transaction had become a complete sale involving the chain and its franchised coffee shops. The transfer was completed on October 6, 2014. The available material does not clarify the subsequent legal identity, store-level continuity, or current status of the Kofe Khauz brand. Consequently, the brand is recorded here as having an unknown present status rather than being definitively classified as active or defunct.

• 2014

  Sale to Shokoladnitsa completed

  [1]Kofe Khauzen.wikipedia.org

  After negotiations prompted by financial problems, the transfer of the chain, including franchised coffee shops, was completed on October 6.

• 2006

  St. Petersburg network and production expansion

  [1]Kofe Khauzen.wikipedia.org

  Approximately 30 coffeehouses were reported in St. Petersburg, followed by the creation of an in-house production workshop for confectionery and related products.

• 2001

  Early Moscow expansion

  [1]Kofe Khauzen.wikipedia.org

  The chain had reached five establishments in Moscow.

• 1999

  First Moscow coffeehouse opened

  [1]Kofe Khauzen.wikipedia.org

  Kofe Khauz opened its first location on September 29 at the Gallery Actor shopping center in Moscow.

A Russian coffeehouse chain built around Italian-inspired coffee preparation, café hospitality, confectionery, and a broad multi-city retail network.

• Coffeehouse beverages · 1999

  Coffee beverages

  Coffee was the core offering associated with Kofe Khauz. The brand’s origin story emphasized Italian preparation methods and training for its early Russian bartenders. The available reference confirms the coffeehouse focus but does not provide a complete beverage menu or identify specific permanent recipes.

• Café food and desserts · 2006

  Confectionery

  As the chain expanded, management established its own production workshop for confectionery and other related products. These items supported the food and dessert component of the coffeehouse format, although the available sources do not list individual products or explain whether the production operation survived the 2014 sale.

• 2014

  Kyiv protests over Russian origin

  Several Kyiv coffeehouses were targeted by flash mobs and protests linked to the “Do not buy Russian goods!” movement. Protesters objected to the chain’s Russian origin and alleged that part of its profits flowed into the Russian economy.

  Source

• 2013

  Criticism of the Ukrainian branch

  The Ukrainian branch was accused by activists of anti-Ukrainian sentiment and of showing disregard toward visitors. The available material presents these as activist allegations and does not provide an independently verified finding.

  Source

Read more

• 2014Do not buy Russian goods! protests

  Ukraine

  Activists held flash mobs and protests at Kofe Khauz locations in Kyiv. The actions highlighted the chain’s Russian origin and sought to discourage purchases at the cafés during a period of intense political tension between Russia and Ukraine.

  Outcome. The available reference records the protests but does not establish a measurable commercial outcome or a definitive response from the company.

  Source

• 2014

  Full transfer to ShokoladnitsaM&A

  Background

  Financial difficulties led to negotiations over selling part of the business to the competing coffeehouse group Shokoladnitsa.

  Action taken

  The transaction expanded from a proposed partial sale to a complete transfer of the chain, including franchised coffee shops, completed on October 6, 2014.

  Aftermath

  The available reference does not clarify whether the Kofe Khauz brand continued independently, was absorbed operationally, or was later discontinued.

  Source

• 2006

  Creation of an internal confectionery workshopStrategy

  Background

  The expanding coffeehouse network required a larger and more coordinated supply of confectionery and related café products.

  Action taken

  Management established its own production workshop after the chain expanded substantially in St. Petersburg and other markets.

  Aftermath

  The workshop became part of the chain’s operating model, although the available sources do not quantify its output or later disposition.

  Source

1. 1Kofe Khauzen.wikipedia.org