Havana Roasters Coffee Companies Inc. (OTC: NAFSD) has granted a license to HRC Hospitality Corp. to operate its first branded cafe under the Havana Roasters Coffee Cuban Bakery & Sandwich Bar in Hollywood, California, the company announced today. The flagship location, designed to serve as a model for future expansion, is nearing completion and expected to open by the end of Q1 2026.
The license authorizes HRC Hospitality Corp. to use all Havana Roasters Coffee branded products, intellectual property, and operating concepts at the Hollywood site and future locations. Havana Roasters Coffee Companies Inc. will receive a licensing fee and an equity stake, centralizing brand ownership while enabling operational flexibility. HRC Hospitality Corp. acquired the lease in 2024 and completed an extensive build-out to create a standardized template for future licensed, company-owned, or franchised stores.
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, a widely recognized ethnic coffee tradition in the U.S., remains largely fragmented, presenting an opportunity for a branded, scalable concept built on authenticity, according to the company.
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 that beyond direct revenue, the cafe supports product innovation, brand visibility, and disciplined expansion across high-traffic urban markets.
The flagship location is designed to function as a live testing and training environment, supporting product development, customer engagement, staff training, and operational refinement. Insights from this location are expected to inform future site selection, unit economics, and rollout planning. The initial launch will be supported by a phased marketing program, followed by a formal grand opening and targeted media and community engagement events.
The Hollywood retail launch complements the company’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 and differentiated formats, the company noted. 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.
