Coffee Dream Company, Inc. is celebrating 15 years of living the passion – bringing the ultimate coffee experience to every Filipino.

What started out as a small kiosk operation in 1996 at the 4th Level in Ayala Center Cebu has grown to be one of the country’s leading specialty coffee chain with a total of 36 stores nationwide. It has shops in Cebu, Metro Manila, Cavite, Bohol, Bacolod City, Ilo-ilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City and General Santos City which includes franchised outlets. Coffee Dream ventured into franchising in 2001 and currently has 13 franchised outlets.

President and Founder, Glenn Anthony O. Soco, envisioned a homegrown concept utilizing high-quality locally produced coffee beans. He visualized a place where people converge, hang-out, relax, do business over a cup of coffee. Realizing that there is a growing trend in the coffee drinking lifestyle globally, he created his own concept fervently believing that the market is best served by patronizing its very own.

Coffee Dream is best known for its regular brews like: Café Americano, Cappuccino, Café Latte, Café Mocha, Chilled Blends (frozen blended coffee and non-coffee concoctions), paired with its delectable selection of cakes and pastries. One of its famous drink is the Tsokolate, a traditional local recipe using fresh “tableya” (a term used for local cacao chocolate) from Argao, a town in southern Cebu. Recently, it expanded its menu to include food items such as sandwiches and pastas and the all-day breakfast meals.

Coffee Dream continually served the local market not only by selling its products but also putting a concerted effort in making its coffee shops comfortable and homey to visit and stay. About 3 years ago, it embarked on its new look campaign and shied-away from the conventional specialty coffee shop look. Coffee Dream transformed its stores to modern, hip and fresh with the use of bold colors. It changed its logo design and branding to showcase a uniquely distinctive concept. Employing the services of Industrial Design students mentored by world-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, they collaborated in creating new and interesting ideas for Coffee Dream giving fullest attention to detail.

On October 24, 2011, Coffee Dream will launch its 15th–year anniversary campaign with several activities:

1. Pick-a-prize promo – entitles customers to a freebie/privilege for a minimum purchase of 150 pesos. The customer will pick-a-prize and instantly gets a prize.
2. Capture your dream – an on-line photo contest where entries will be submitted and posted on-line through Coffee Dream’s Facebook fan page. The most creative photo showcasing Coffee Dream will win cash prizes and gift certificates.
3. Coffee Dream extends a 15% discount on a special featured Chilled Blend of the month.
4. Free re-fill of freshly brewed coffee from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. every 15th of every month.

Aside from the activities mentioned above, three (3) short films produced by Coffee Dream will be released to highlight the 15-year anniversary celebration. The films tell 3 different stories that happen inside the coffee shops – presenting how the coffee drinking lifestyle evolved among Filipinos.

Coffee Dream also invited Miss Universe 3rd Runner-up, Ms. Shamcey Supsup, to lead the launching of the 15th–year activities and grace the ceremonial ribbon-cutting of Coffee Dream Arcenas Estate branch in Banawa, Cebu City. The Arcenas Estate branch will be the latest addition to the growing number of stores of Coffee Dream. This branch will feature a different feel using new set of furniture, new colors and an expanded menu. The store will be offering wines and premium beers with additional food items to compliment it. This concept came to mind to enhance the “third place” definition of Filipinos as part of Coffee Dream’s effort to be adaptive to the needs and wants of the community.

Coffee Dream has been active in helping the Micro and Small Enterprises by selling locally-produced products like: Camote Cookies from Aloguinsan and the Ginamos Paste from Pilar, Camotes which are produced by community-based enterprises. Alturra beans made from the foothills of Mt. Apo are being sold and used as well.

A “Your Piso, My Dream” campaign will also be launched with the cancer-stricken children as the chosen beneficiaries.

With the continued evolution and pursuit for excellence, Coffee Dream aims to further expand its operations nationwide. By the end of 2011, it has opened and renovated a total of 10 stores. Coffee Dream targets to open a total of 7 new stores next year, 4 of which will be in Metro Manila. It estimates to cost 30 million pesos in additional capital. An upgraded commissary is currently being set-up at the central office and another commissary will be set-up in Metro Manila next year to service its branches in the area. The total capital expenditures for the next 3 years is estimated to be around 100 million pesos.

Glenn Soco’s dreams of purveying only the finest coffee to the local communities, sharing the Coffee Dream experience one homegrown cup at a time has gradually become a reality. And the Dream continues…