More than 38,000 cafes worldwide entered the competition, but only 100 made the final list. The selection process combined professional evaluation with an international public vote.
The jury, comprised of over 800 industry experts – including barista champions, roasters, consultants, and coffee industry leaders – assessed each cafe based on coffee quality, consistency, team expertise, space design, innovation, sustainability, and overall customer experience.
“We’re not just building places where coffee is served, but a system that needs to function flawlessly, day in and day out, in every location. The fact that we’re on this list again shows that standards can be maintained without compromise,” said representatives from Bob Coffee Lab.
The cafe operates nine locations in Bucharest, including in areas like Băneasa Shopping City and Piața Charles de Gaulle.
The business is owned by five entrepreneurs: Costin Popescu and Bogdan Cutuș, the initial founders, along with Paul Ungureanu and Alexandru Niculae, who joined later, and Ludmila Iancu, a shareholder.
The founders bring experience in finance, design, and communication, while their partners contribute expertise gained in national and international specialty coffee competitions. Alexandru Niculae won the title of world champion in coffee roasting in 2016.
The specialty coffee shop industry in Romania has seen significant growth in recent years, particularly in major cities. The rise of independent coffee shops reflects a broader trend of consumers seeking unique and high-quality experiences.
European Coffee Trip estimates there are over 5,200 roasters and specialty coffee shops in Europe, with nearly 200 operating in Romania. However, the market remains highly fragmented, with most businesses running a single location.
Specialty coffee chains are rare, and few initiatives have successfully scaled into larger networks.
Bob Coffee Lab is a success story reporting revenues of 8.3 million lei, a 21% increase.
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