Can I franchise it in Vietnam? · coffee
Can you franchise Highlands Coffee in Vietnam?
Short answer · No clear public answer
Unclear. Highlands does have franchised outlets — 96 of its 947 locations at the end of 2025, according to Tuoi Tre — but it publishes no open application route that we could verify.
Source: Tuoi Tre News (15 Mar 2026)Highlands Coffee in Vietnam: the facts
- Who runs itSuperFoods Group, in which Jollibee Foods Corporation holds 60% and founder David Thai's Viet Thai International 40%. In September 2026 Jollibee agreed to sell 11% back to Viet Thai International for about US$88 million, which would give the founder's side 51%.Source: Tuoi Tre News (18 Nov 2025) · VIR (23 Sept 2026)
- In Vietnam sinceFounded in 1999 by David Thai; first café in Ho Chi Minh City in 2002.Source: Tuoi Tre News (15 Mar 2026)
- Stores947 in Vietnam (as of 31 December 2025). Plus 38 in the Philippines, its only overseas market.Source: Tuoi Tre News (15 Mar 2026)
- What we found uniqueA Vietnamese founder is buying majority control back from a Philippine-listed partner ahead of a planned IPO in 2027.Source: VIR (23 Sept 2026) · Tuoi Tre News (15 Mar 2026)
Timeline in Vietnam
- 2011–2012Jollibee Foods Corporation first invests (sources give 2011 and 2012); it later holds 60% of SuperFoods.Source: Tuoi Tre News (18 Nov 2025) · Tuoi Tre News (15 Mar 2026)
- Mar 2026Board targets an IPO in Q1 2027.Source: Tuoi Tre News (15 Mar 2026)
- Sep 2026Jollibee agrees to sell 11% to the founder's company for about US$88 million.Source: VIR (23 Sept 2026)
What to do instead
Most famous brands in Vietnam are run by one company that holds the national rights, so individuals cannot buy a unit. If you want a coffee business, look at brands that are actively seeking partners in Vietnam.
The brands below have told franchising.vn they are seeking partners in Vietnam. Their listing is their own statement, not a recommendation, and is unrelated to anything published about Highlands Coffee here.
Stellarossa
Australian café craft. Vietnamese soul.
Seeking partners · South KoreaAngel-in-us Coffee
Trendy K-Coffee brand with the best quality and culture
Seeking partners · Sri LankaDilmah Urban Estate
Curated exploration of Ceylon's Finest
Seeking partners · MalaysiaTealive
The World's Cup of Tea
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Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a Highlands Coffee franchise in Vietnam?
Unclear. Highlands does have franchised outlets — 96 of its 947 locations at the end of 2025, according to Tuoi Tre — but it publishes no open application route that we could verify.
Who operates Highlands Coffee in Vietnam?
SuperFoods Group, in which Jollibee Foods Corporation holds 60% and founder David Thai's Viet Thai International 40%. In September 2026 Jollibee agreed to sell 11% back to Viet Thai International for about US$88 million, which would give the founder's side 51%.
Sources
- Tuoi Tre News, 15 Mar 2026
- Tuoi Tre News, 18 Nov 2025
- VIR, 23 Sept 2026
Highlands Coffee is a trademark of its owner. vietnamfranchise.net is not affiliated with Highlands Coffee or its operator in Vietnam. Found an error? It will be logged on our corrections page.