Colombia-based Starbucks operating licensee Alsea is set to expand the brand's footprint in the region by opening three stores in the city of Bucaramanga.

All three stores will be located in the capital of the Santander department in Colombia.

As part of this expansion, the first of the three stores will be opened on 20 October 2023 in La Quinta Shopping Center in Cabecera del Llano.

The second Starbucks location is planned at Cacique Shopping Center, which will be opened two days later. The third location will open in Parque Caracolí in Floridablanca by the end of this year.

Alsea South America general director Santiago Farinati said: “The arrival of the Starbucks brand in Bucaramanga not only reinforces our commitment to this dynamic market but also highlights a historic milestone for Alsea – these stores represent Alsea’s 250th store opening in Colombia and our commitment to job creation and positively impacting the communities.

“With our new Starbucks stores, we will generate more than 40 jobs for the local community of Bucaramanga.”

Once opened, the three new stores will increase Starbucks Colombia’s store count to more than 65.

Starbucks' stores are currently spread across six Colombian cities, including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena and Bucaramanga.

Starbucks Colombia director Cielo Morera said: “We are tremendously excited to bring the warmth of the Starbucks Experience to customers in Bucaramanga this October with the unveiling of our new stores, all adorned with artwork created by local Colombian designers.

“We look forward to welcoming customers to our beautiful cafes to enjoy handcrafted espresso-based beverages made by our passionate baristas, as well as an assortment of whole bean coffees.”