The impressive growth of Starbucks licensee 23.5 Degrees has delivered strong returns to our private investor clients.
Connection Capital, the UK private markets and alternative investment platform, has served up strong gross returns of 9.0x initial investment with the sale of 23.5 Degrees to Starbucks for an undisclosed sum. 23.5 Degrees is a licensee of Starbucks Coffee Company operating 114 Starbucks stores across the UK.
Clients of Connection Capital invested £9m in total to fund 23.5 Degrees’ ambitious growth plans, with an initial investment of £5.6m in September 2015, and a further £3.4m of follow-on funding in July 2018 as the company’s expansion accelerated.
23.5 Degrees was established in 2012. At the time of Connection Capital clients’ initial investment in 2015, 23.5 Degrees operated 13 Starbucks stores across six counties and employed approximately 100 staff.
Today it operates 114 Starbucks stores across the UK, having opened new sites at a rate of more than 10 a year on average. Over 65% of these openings are Drive Thru sites: a concept which 23.5 Degrees championed in the UK as part of its successful expansion strategy, and which helped boost sales during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Revenue at 23.5 Degrees has increased over six-fold since Connection Capital clients’ investment and 23.5 Degrees now employs more than 2,000 people.
23.5 Degrees is named after the north and south latitude lines that constitute the extent of the world’s “coffee belt” where coffee flourishes. It was led by Mark Hepburn, whose extensive career in franchising includes working with global brands such as Burger King, Wimpey and KFC. Mark has stepped down as CEO following the completion of the sale of 23.5 Degrees.
In making the original investment, Connection Capital recognised that the fast-growing UK coffee market had significant headroom for further expansion. The opportunity was also attractive because of 23.5 Degrees’ high quality management team, with its demonstrable franchise track record and clearly-defined organic growth strategy, which was underpinned by a strong pipeline of new sites.
Connection Capital has supported 23.5 Degrees’ development in multiple areas, such as enhancing its management team; advising on system, operation, and process improvements to ensure they were scalable as the business grew; and providing follow-on investment to support further growth when required.
Mark Snaith, Investment Director at Connection Capital says, “It has been a pleasure partnering with 23.5 Degrees, which we have long said is led by a ‘best in class’ management team, that has developed 23.5 Degrees into the business it has become today.
Both the business and team’s performance have been outstanding, with impressive revenue and store count growth. We wish them every success during this exciting period.”
Mark Hepburn, outgoing CEO of 23.5 Degrees, says, “Connection Capital’s backing enabled us to deliver on our vision to build an extensive network of Starbucks stores and bring this popular brand to more customers across the country.”
“Connection Capital’s support has been invaluable. Not only has it provided us with follow-on funding to enable us to capitalise on further expansion opportunities, it has been a true partner in our growth journey, giving us strategic guidance and being very patient with us along the way.”
Claire Madden, Managing Partner at Connection Capital says, “It’s always incredibly satisfying to deliver such impressive returns to our clients. Today’s exit environment remains very challenging, so being able to give clients liquidity at this point is even more of a success story.”
“The 23.5 Degrees team impressed us from the start with its ambition, skills and drive to deliver on its rapid growth plans. With well over 100 stores in its portfolio, we have not been disappointed. We wish them all the very best as they take this highly successful business forward.”