The quick-service restaurant group Yum China recently said it has plans to accelerate its expansion by opening 1,000 Lavazza coffee shops across the country in the next three to five years.

The company, having partnered with the Italian coffee roaster with more than 120 years of history, is also banking on Lavazza's retail business as part of its driving force.

Ding Xiao, general manager of the joint venture between Yum China and Lavazza, said the coffee chain store brand has seen the store number grown five times since its entrance to the Chinese market in 2021, to more than 100 stores in 11 cities in the country.

Ding said the venture seeks to build emotional engagement with consumers through co-branding and will amplify brand exposure via sponsoring sports events, including the Rolex Shanghai Masters tennis tournament.

The joint venture is owned by Yum China and Lavazza with a stake of 65 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively.

Ding said Lavazza China's revenue in the first half year of 2023 has been more than doubled than that of the same period of last year.