Costa Coffee, established in London in 1971 by Sergio Costa, initially operated as a wholesale business, providing roasted coffee to caterers and specialized Italian coffee shops. In 1995, Whitbread acquired the company, and subsequently, in January 2019, it was sold to The Coca-Cola Company in a transaction valued at $4.9 billion. Currently, Costa Coffee boasts a global presence with 3,401 stores spanning 31 countries, employing 18,412 individuals. Within the UK, the business operates 2,121 restaurants, in addition to over 6,000 Costa Express vending facilities. Internationally, there are 1,280 outlets, including 460 in China. As of now, Costa Coffee holds the position of the second-largest coffeehouse chain globally and the largest in the UK.