In the fast-growing coffee culture of Southeast Asia, Kopi Kenangan has emerged as a standout name. Starting from a small café in Jakarta, it has grown into a billion-dollar coffee chain that continues to expand across the region. Here’s the full story behind its origin, expansion, business model, leadership, investor backing, customer feedback, and future outlook.
The Origin of Kopi Kenangan
Kopi Kenangan was founded in 2017 by Edward Tirtanata and James Prananto in Jakarta, Indonesia. The name means “Memories of an Ex”, and it was chosen to evoke nostalgia and emotional connection. The founders saw a market gap between expensive global coffee chains like Starbucks and low-cost local vendors. Their solution was to offer affordable premium coffee using local Indonesian beans, fresh milk, and palm sugar.
One of the first signature drinks was Kopi Kenangan Mantan, a palm sugar iced coffee that went viral for both its taste and its cheeky name.
Example: The first store in Menara Standard Chartered, Jakarta, sold over 700 cups a day within the first month.
Kopi Kenangan’s Business Expansion and Development
Since its launch, Kopi Kenangan has expanded rapidly throughout Southeast Asia. The brand has now opened over 900 outlets in multiple countries.
Countries with Kopi Kenangan locations:
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Philippines
- India (planned expansion in 2025)
The company also introduced several brand extensions to reach new markets:
- Kenangan Manis (snacks and pastries)
- Kenangan Heritage (premium dine-in experience)
- Cerita Roti (Indonesian-style bakery)
Kopi Kenangan has embraced technology and delivery platforms to fuel growth. The Kopi Kenangan app, integrated with GoFood and GrabFood, supports seamless ordering and loyalty rewards.
Key People Behind Kopi Kenangan’s Success
- Edward Tirtanata – Co-founder and CEO
He sets the vision, manages investor relations, and drives global expansion. - James Prananto – Co-founder and COO
Oversees operations and ensures consistency in store performance. - Cynthia Chaerunnisa – Chief Product & Marketing Officer
Leads branding, product development, and customer engagement.
Top Investors Supporting Kopi Kenangan
Kopi Kenangan has raised more than $240 million through several funding rounds. Major investors include:
- Sequoia Capital India
- Alpha JWC Ventures
- Horizons Ventures (from billionaire Li Ka-shing)
- B Capital Group (co-founded by Eduardo Saverin of Facebook)
- Falcon Edge Capital
In 2022, the company achieved unicorn status, becoming one of Indonesia’s first billion-dollar F&B startups.
Kopi Kenangan Revenue and Business Model
Kopi Kenangan’s business strategy is built on delivering high-quality coffee at scale. It uses Indonesian-sourced beans, prepares drinks fresh at each outlet, and keeps pricing accessible to the middle class.
Key business facts:
- Estimated revenue (2024): Over $150 million per year
- Daily orders in Indonesia: Over 1.5 million cups per month
- Product pricing: Ranges between $1.25 to $2.50 per drink
- Revenue sources:
- In-store sales
- App-based sales with loyalty rewards
- Bottled ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee in retail stores
- F&B brand extensions and partnerships
Challenges Faced by Kopi Kenangan
Despite its rapid success, Kopi Kenangan has faced challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and amid increasing competition.
Top challenges include:
- Temporary store closures during lockdowns
- Maintaining product consistency across hundreds of outlets
- Rising competition from Fore Coffee, Janji Jiwa, and global chains entering Southeast Asia
- Concerns about overexpansion and quality control
Example review: “The brand is growing fast, but some outlets are inconsistent. Hope they fix this,” Google Maps review, 2023.
Kopi Kenangan on Social Media
The company has built a strong following through TikTok and Instagram, using humor, relatable content, and emotional branding.
Current social media metrics:
- Instagram: 1.3 million followers
- TikTok: Over 500,000 followers
- App downloads: Over 5 million users
The brand often goes viral with slogans like “Kopi Kenangan Mantan”, and drink names such as “Move On Latte” and “Friendzone Espresso.”
Customer Feedback and Reviews
Feedback for Kopi Kenangan is generally positive, especially among younger urban consumers. Many love the flavor, affordability, and convenience. However, there are criticisms too.
Positive customer feedback:
“Kopi Kenangan Mantan is sweet, smooth, and nostalgic. Great name, great taste.” Instagram user @missindocoffee
“Perfect for quick morning grabs. App ordering is super convenient.” Google Play reviewer
“I drink it every morning before work. Their milk coffee is better than Starbucks.” Twitter user @coffeeenthused
Critical reviews:
“Too sweet for real coffee lovers.”
“Feels more like a dessert than coffee.”
“Trendy branding but needs stronger coffee flavor.”
What’s Next for Kopi Kenangan
Kopi Kenangan is looking to expand its brand internationally, with plans to enter India in 2025. It is also growing its retail presence through bottled coffee in supermarkets and experimenting with premium dine-in concepts.
The company’s long-term vision is to become the top lifestyle coffee brand in Asia, appealing not only with its drinks but also with its emotional branding and tech-driven experience.
Kopi Kenangan’s Journey Is Just Beginning
Kopi Kenangan has transformed from a one-store startup into a coffee powerhouse with unicorn status. It represents the perfect blend of local flavor, smart branding, tech innovation, and emotional storytelling. As it continues to grow, the world is watching to see if this Indonesian coffee empire can go global without losing its local soul.
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