CADBURY-branded cafes are to open on Britain’s high streets under plans confirmed by the Dairy Milk and Wispa maker.
The group has secured backing from new owner Kraft for a chain of Cadbury outlets offering afternoon tea and an on-site chocolatier service making large versions of popular bars such as Curly Wurlys and Flakes.
As many as 60 outlets could be opened over the next three to five years under the proposals.
US parent Kraft, which bought Cadbury in a controversial £11.5bn takeover in February, has thrown its weight behind the idea.
Kraft has endorsed a 20-year licence deal with a group of retail entrepreneurs to lead the venture.
Cadbury had been in discussions with the team – including David Morris, the former director of food and restaurants at Harrods – and signed the licence agreement in January, before Kraft completed its acquisition.
The US firm has now given the plans the green light, but is not providing financial backing.
Cadbury said it was an “exciting concept that builds on the success of the Cadbury brand,” although a spokesman stressed it was “very early days” for the venture.
It is thought the cafes could be called Cadbury Cocoa Houses – the same name that was given to a previous Cadbury-branded cafe, which was operated in Bath primarily as a marketing tool until it shut in 2007.
The management team running the new operation are said to have already started negotiations with landlords with a view to possibly launching in London before the end of the year.
Mr Morris is expected to become chief executive of the venture, with retail entrepreneur Marilyn Newman as chairman.
The launch comes at a robust time for the coffee shop sector, which has shown remarkable resilience throughout the recession.
While some retailers have fallen by the wayside, many coffee shop retailers have even been expanding throughout the recession.
