Who Owns ZUS Coffee?

 ZUS Coffee’s Rise in Southeast Asia

ZUS Coffee has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing coffee chains in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia and the Philippines. Known for its bright blue branding, affordable specialty-grade coffee, and strong digital presence, ZUS Coffee has disrupted the traditional café model through tech innovation and a customer-first approach.

But who really owns ZUS Coffee? This article dives into the founders, key investors, and ownership evolution of this dynamic coffee brand.

The Founding of ZUS Coffee: A Malaysian Success Story

ZUS Coffee was founded in 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by eight co-founders. Two of the most notable among them are:

• Ian Chua – CEO

• Venon Tian – COO

These two have become the public faces of the brand and are instrumental in its rapid growth.

Ian Chua: The Visionary CEO

With a background in finance and business, Ian Chua envisioned a world where high-quality coffee was accessible to all, not just coffee enthusiasts. Under his leadership, ZUS Coffee has scaled rapidly while maintaining affordability and quality.

Venon Tian: The Operational Architect

Venon Tian brought experience from retail and entrepreneurship to streamline ZUS’s internal systems and customer service culture. His focus on barista training, hospitality, and operational processes set a solid foundation for scalable growth.

Early Ownership: Malaysian-Owned and Operated

From 2019 through early 2023, ZUS Coffee remained majority-owned by its founding team. Rather than pursuing a franchising model, ZUS chose to operate its stores in-house. This allowed:

• Tighter quality control

• Stronger brand consistency

• Operational efficiency

During this time, ZUS raised angel and private investment, but the company remained primarily Malaysian-owned.

2023 Milestone: Frank Lao Joins as Strategic Investor

In 2023, Frank Lao, a prominent Filipino entrepreneur behind restaurant brands like Gloria Maris and Choi Garden, acquired a 35% stake in ZUS Coffee.

Why Frank Lao Invested

• To spearhead expansion into the Philippines

• To bring his expertise in F&B market development

• To leverage his existing network in the country

Under Lao’s guidance, ZUS Coffee entered Metro Manila and rapidly scaled across major Philippine cities, directly competing with international coffee chains like Starbucks and Tim Hortons.

2024 Expansion: Institutional Investors Fuel Regional Growth

In 2024, ZUS Coffee raised over $57 million USD in a major funding round involving:

• KV Asia Capital (Singapore-based PE firm)

• KWAP (Malaysia’s second-largest pension fund)

• Kapal Api Group (a major Indonesian FMCG and coffee company)

These strategic investors brought not just capital but also regional insight and scalability expertise to help ZUS grow in:

• Singapore

• Indonesia

• Brunei

Current Ownership Structure (2025)

ZUS Coffee’s ownership is now split across three primary groups:

This structure enables ZUS to maintain control, ensure consistent quality, and scale sustainably.

Why ZUS Coffee Doesn’t Franchise

Unlike many global coffee chains, ZUS Coffee does not rely on franchising. Instead, it runs most of its outlets directly, offering several advantages:

• Uniform customer experience

• Brand protection

• Long-term profitability

This centralized approach reinforces ZUS Coffee’s identity as a quality-driven, tech-enabled coffee chain, instead of a rapidly diluted franchise network.

Conclusion: ZUS Coffee’s Ownership Reflects Its Mission

So, who owns ZUS Coffee?

• Ian Chua and Venon Tian, the Malaysian founders, continue to drive the brand’s mission and vision.

• Frank Lao plays a crucial role in expanding the brand’s footprint in the Philippines.

• Major institutional investors support ZUS’s long-term growth across Southeast Asia.

Together, this ownership group has helped make ZUS Coffee one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing coffee brands, while staying true to its mission: to make specialty-grade coffee accessible to everyone.