Havana Roasters Coffee Companies Inc. (OTC: NAFSD) announced it has granted a license to HRC Hospitality Corp. to operate the Company's first branded cafe under Havana Roasters Coffee Cuban Bakery & Sandwich Bar in Hollywood, California. This flagship location, expected to open at the end of Q1 2026, represents a key milestone in the Company's retail and brand expansion strategy.
The license authorizes HRC Hospitality Corp. to use all Havana Roasters Coffee branded products, intellectual property, and operating concepts at the Hollywood location and future sites. Havana Roasters Coffee Companies Inc. will receive a licensing fee and an equity stake in the location, centralizing brand ownership while enabling operational flexibility. HRC Hospitality Corp. acquired the lease in 2024 and completed an extensive build-out to create a model store that will serve as a standardized operating template for future licensed, company-owned, or franchised outlets.
The new store will feature Cuban-style gourmet coffee, a 24-hour walk-up window, a sandwich bar, and a bakery with company-made pastelitos and desserts. Cuban-style coffee is one of the most widely recognized ethnic coffee traditions in the U.S., yet remains fragmented locally, presenting an opportunity for a branded, scalable concept built on authenticity. The Company expects to commence operations at the end of Q1 2026, supported by a phased marketing program and a formal grand opening.
The flagship location is designed for replication, reflecting over a year of development to deliver an authentic Cuban-style Ventanita experience integrated into a modern cafe and food-service environment. While Cuban cafes operate in major U.S. cities, HRC believes Havana Roasters Coffee is differentiated by its purpose-built approach to scalability, combining proprietary coffee products, standardized food offerings, and a repeatable retail format. The location will function as a live testing and training environment for product development, customer engagement, staff training, and operational refinement. Insights gained are expected to inform future site selection, unit economics, and rollout planning.
Gabriel Martinez, Chairman and CEO of Havana Roasters Coffee Companies Inc., stated, “The Hollywood flagship marks an important step forward in executing our retail strategy. This location allows us to validate our operating model, refine our customer experience, and establish a scalable foundation for future growth. We are very proud to bring an authentic Cuban-style Ventanita to the Hollywood area.” Martinez added, “Beyond direct revenue generation, this cafe serves as a strategic asset - supporting product innovation, brand visibility, and disciplined expansion across high-traffic urban markets.”
The Hollywood retail launch complements HRC's broader multi-channel growth strategy, which includes wholesale distribution, consumer packaged goods, e-commerce, hospitality services, and future franchise opportunities. Nearly half of American coffee consumption is specialty coffee, underscoring growing consumer interest in premium formats. By operating a flagship in a high-visibility market, HRC gains direct-to-consumer insights that may enhance brand positioning and accelerate commercialization across channels. More information is available at thehrccompanies.com.
