First Hello Kitty Café Opens in Canada
Sanrio brings its popular themed café to Vancouver.
In the last half-century, people have witnessed Hello Kitty, an intellectual property owned by Sanrio, blossom into an iconic character, household name and global evergreen brand. In fact, in 2022 alone, Hello Kitty achieved $3.8 billion in annual retail sales. Part of the brand’s enormous growth is due to its bold expansion into new regions and territories and the continuous development of its presence in a variety of licensing categories.
Most recently, Hello Kitty has been growing in the food and beverage category through the openings of new Hello Kitty Cafés across North America, one of which opened in Vancouver, Canada, this past spring.
The Vancouver Café greets customers with bright pink walls, colorful Hello Kitty graphics and Hello Kitty-themed desserts and drinks. Some desserts include carefully decorated birthday cake, strawberry shortcake, chocolate cookie cream cake and mango coconut cake. The drinks include lattes, cappuccinos, milk teas, lemonade and iced teas.
On the second floor of the café, consumers can eat, drink and relax in cozy nooks and booths accented with Hello Kitty’s signature bow. The lounging area also allows people to foster connections, share their fandom and capture Instagram-worthy photos. The café’s grand opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, activities for people of all ages and a special appearance by Hello Kitty.
“Hello Kitty has been an ambassador of friendship and kindness for the past 50 years, and this café is a wonderful way to celebrate her legacy,” says Craig Takiguchi, chief operating officer, Sanrio. “We look forward to welcoming the local Vancouver community and sharing in their memorable Hello Kitty-inspired experiences."
There are additional Hello Kitty Cafés in Irvine, Calif., Universal City Walk, Calif. and Las Vegas, Nev.
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