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Experienced multi-unit franchisee Tae H. Kim opens the new café at Camarillo Premium Outlets
Camarillo, CA (RestaurantNews.com) The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, a coffee and tea brand with more than 60 years of history, opened a new café at Camarillo Premium Outlets on Saturday, September 12, 2026. as it continues to expand across California.
The new location is owned and operated by experienced multi-unit franchisee Tae H. Kim, who has spent years in the restaurant and food-service industry. Kim has owned and operated sushi restaurants, developed one Paris Baguette location and expanded into additional food and beverage concepts, including It’s Boba Time and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
“I am excited to bring The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Camarillo Premium Outlets and introduce the brand to both local residents and visitors,” Kim said. “Our goal is to provide great products, friendly service and a welcoming experience for everyone who stops by during their visit.”
Located at one of Southern California’s premier shopping destinations, the new café offers guests The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s signature selection of handcrafted coffee and tea beverages, including its iconic Ice Blended beverages, alongside food options for breakfast, lunch and everyday visits. Guests can also take advantage of convenient options including delivery and mobile app ordering.
For Kim, the opening represents the culmination of a search for a franchise concept that combined an established reputation with high-quality products, a loyal customer base and opportunities for continued growth.
“I was drawn to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf because of its strong brand reputation, quality products and loyal customer base,” Kim said. “After learning more about the company and its long history in the coffee and tea industry, I felt it was a great fit for my experience and long-term business goals.”
The Camarillo opening is particularly meaningful given the brand’s deep roots in the area. The new café is located less than four miles from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s dedicated Camarillo roasting facility, where the brand’s coffee roasters individually roast different types of coffee beans to their ideal profiles before creating custom blends through a post-roast blending process.
Founded in Southern California more than 60 years ago, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has grown to more than 1,100 locations globally, including 180 in the United States. Throughout that growth, the brand has remained focused on its dual mastery of coffee and tea, handcrafted beverages and community-focused café experience.
“Tae has a lot of experience as an operator, and that’s important to us as we look for franchise partners who can grow with the brand,” said Peter Vavra, director of franchise development. “We are excited for his opening in Camarillo and will support him if he decides to pursue additional opportunities with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.”
The opening also comes as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf continues to prioritize franchise growth in its home state. The brand is currently targeting traditional development opportunities throughout California, as well as Dallas-Fort Worth, Salt Lake City and Cincinnati, while pursuing non-traditional and airport opportunities nationwide.
“We’re on a mission to disrupt the coffee space by leaning into what made us special 60 years ago: premium quality without the attitude, and a commitment to help our guests find their flavor,” Vavra said. “As we expand, we’re focused intently on bringing operators on board who see and share this mission and vision and will keep the heart of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf alive in their own markets.”
About The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Born and brewed in Southern California since 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has become a global specialty coffee and tea house known for its iconic, handcrafted beverages and distinctive flavors and crave-worthy innovation with a California vibe. For more than 60 years, the brand has prided itself on the journey of its coffee and tea from farm to cup into a modern café experience guests love and operators are proud to own. Rooted in decades of craft and fueled by innovation, the brand was the first to introduce the iconic Ice Blended® beverage category and continues to build on that legacy with a menu that includes espresso, cold brew, matcha and tea lattes. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf continues to lead the caffeinated beverage category and inspire viral drink trends on social media while staying focused on premium quality and a handcrafted café experience. Now with over 1,000 locations across 23 countries, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf serves more than 110 million coffee, tea and Ice Blended® beverages each year.
Media Contact:
Lauren Turner
Mainland
312-526-3996
lturner@hellomainland.com