Manolo Bakes is opening a search for international strategic partners capable of developing the brand outside its home markets, as the Spanish coffee & bakery chain enters a new phase of expansion built on partnerships rather than direct openings.
The company is looking specifically for multi-unit operators — businesses with a proven track record of managing several locations and developing brands in new territories. Candidates will need long-term growth capacity and a firm commitment to the quality standards and brand experience that define Manolo Bakes, which now operates more than 70 stores across Spain and Portugal.
“Our approach will be to identify markets where the concept has a strong fit and develop the brand alongside strategic partners with the experience and execution capabilities required, while continuing to grow with the same rigour in our home market,” said David López, Global Business Development Director at Manolo Bakes, who has been appointed to lead the company’s global expansion under a newly unified leadership structure.
Unit profitability, an attractive return on investment and sustainable investment requirements are described by the company as the pillars underpinning the partnership model. López will be responsible for defining the market-entry strategy for each country, identifying and negotiating with potential partners, structuring development agreements and overseeing local opening plans to ensure every new store follows the same operating model and brand standards.
The partner search prioritises the United Kingdom as the first target within Europe, alongside exploratory efforts in Latin America and the Middle East. Manolo Bakes says its selection criteria will vary by market, reflecting a rigorous, tailored approach rather than a standardised rollout.
The company, which has built a loyalty community of more than 520,000 members through Club Manolo Bakes, expects to begin operations in one or two new countries during 2027, subject to identifying the right partners and market conditions, while continuing its domestic opening plan across the Iberian Peninsula.
About Manolo Bakes
Manolo Bakes is a Spanish coffee & bakery brand founded in 2017 that opened its first store in Madrid in June 2018. It now operates 70 stores across Spain and Portugal, offering a premium coffee & bakery proposition built around the Manolitos and Palmitas — baked fresh daily and hand-decorated — alongside specialty coffee, pastries and savoury options. Club Manolo Bakes, its loyalty programme, has more than 520,000 members and is one of the company’s main drivers of repeat visits.
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