Today, Starbucks Coffee Company and food-service organization Albron are jointly opening a new Starbucks branch at EDU-Café, which is located at the Education and Research square of the University of Twente (UT) campus. The UT campus is a meeting place for international pioneers and entrepreneurs, and plays a key role in helping people get the most out of their talents and skills through partnerships. And what better way to get these collaborations going than over a delicious cup of coffee at top-notch facilities?
An inspiring meeting place with international appeal
The campus of the UT is developing into an inspiring meeting place for scientists and students alike, offering innovative, fearless and creative souls a platform to thrive. It offers an international breeding ground for pioneering innovations, where theory becomes practice and where state-of-the-art facilities are made available. In this framework, UT sets high standards for its environment. As a result, the campus is more than just a place where people meet and greet each other. It is a place where personal interaction, development and experiences blend seamlessly together.
The Starbucks concept is perfectly suited to this atmosphere and these ambitions. Starbucks, the University of Twente and Albron all promote quality as one of their key priorities, and have an eye for linking people with their environment. With this in mind, EDU-Café was given a significant boost, now boasting even more meeting places and suitable facilities. The result is a fully-fledged ‘educational square’ with exclusive facilities for both staff and students. This renovated location perfectly illustrates the Starbucks ‘third-place’ concept, i.e. creating a cosy space between home and work where people can come together and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in a pleasant atmosphere. What’s more, the opening of this branch supports the development of an international community which promotes talent and entrepreneurship at the university.
“This was a unique opportunity to link the renovation of the university café with an international brand like Starbucks, allowing students and staff to enjoy a great cup of coffee in a wonderful setting, where they can meet others, and discuss or study in peace and quiet,” explains Victor van der Chijs, President of the Executive Board.
Partnership between Starbucks and Albron
The opening of the Starbucks branch at the UT campus ties in with Starbucks’ strategy to further extend its reach in the Netherlands through branches operated by licensed partners, in this case Albron, which was already a solid partner. In fact, Starbucks and Albron had previously jointly opened stores at the Academic Medical Centre (AMC) in Amsterdam, the University Library of the University of Groningen and Erasmus University, among others.
About Starbucks
Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to the sustainable purchase and roasting of arabica coffee of the highest quality since 1971. The company has branches globally and is the world’s largest coffee roasting organization and retailer of high-quality coffee. We always strive for perfection and never stray from our principles to allow each and every customer to enjoy the one-of-a-kind ‘Starbucks Experience’. Share yours at one of our branches or via Starbucks.com.
About Albron
Albron is a food-service organization focusing on hotels, restaurants and catering establishments. Albron’s team of 5,000 employees supplies almost 1,000 locations in the Netherlands with food and drink, from companies to government bodies, schools, hospitals, care facilities, daytime leisure facilities and tourist accommodation. If you would like to find out more, visit Albron.nl.
For additional information, please contact:
Albron: Anselma van den Berg at anselma.van.den.berg@albron.nl or on +31 (0)6 23156108
Starbucks: EMEACommunications@starbucks.com
University of Twente: Bertyl Lankhaar, 053 489 2210 or 06 2002 74 35, spokesperson of the Executive Board of the University of Twente.