Bo’s coffee – InfoCebu

When Steve Benitez opened the first branch of Bo’s Coffee in Ayala Center Cebu in 1996, few could have imagined that this humble kiosk would evolve into a global Filipino brand. Born in a time when international coffee chains were starting to dominate the Philippine market, Bo’s Coffee stood out by being proudly local, and more importantly, proudly Cebuano.

Planting the First Seed

Steve Benitez was just a young entrepreneur with a law degree and a big dream. Instead of pursuing a legal career, he followed a different aroma — the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee. That dream began with a simple desire: to serve coffee made with homegrown beans from the highlands of the Philippines and create a space that celebrated Filipino warmth and hospitality.

The early days were tough. People didn’t immediately flock to a “local” coffee shop. In fact, Benitez had to do the barista work himself, sometimes even giving away free coffee just to introduce the brand. But he stayed firm, fueled by passion, belief in Filipino products, and his Cebuano grit.

Rooted in Filipino Identity

Unlike global coffee chains that showcase foreign flavors and imported beans, Bo’s Coffee built its brand on a different principle: supporting Filipino farmers and communities.

The beans come from the mountain provinces of Sagada, Benguet, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Apo, and Mt. Matutum. Each cup served in Bo’s is a tribute to the Philippines’ rich coffee-growing heritage. This commitment to local sourcing didn’t just ensure fresh quality — it also empowered farming communities across the country, making Bo’s not just a business but a movement.

Moreover, Bo’s Coffee made a conscious decision to highlight Filipino culture in every detail — from the interiors of their stores that feature local art and furniture to their partnerships with local social enterprises. It’s a coffee experience infused with bayanihan and malasakit.

The Cebuano Spirit of Resilience and Innovation

The growth of Bo’s Coffee can also be seen as a mirror of Cebu’s own rise — from a regional hub to a global player. Just as Cebu established itself as a center for trade, tourism, and culture, Bo’s grew from one shop to over 100 branches nationwide, then began opening doors abroad.

In 2018, Bo’s Coffee opened its first international branch in Doha, Qatar, followed by expansion plans in the UAE and other key cities in the Middle East. This was not just a business move; it was a tribute to the millions of OFWs and Filipinos overseas who longed for a taste of home.

Steve Benitez called this move a way to “bring the Filipino coffee experience to the world.” And just like that, a Cebuano-born coffee brand became a symbol of national pride, carried abroad by the winds of nostalgia and ambition.

More Than Coffee: A Platform for Empowerment

One of the lesser-known yet deeply inspiring aspects of Bo’s Coffee is its support for social entrepreneurs. The company collaborates with local enterprises like Anthill Fabric Gallery (for uniforms and furnishings), Bayani Brew (for bottled tea), and Hope in a Bottle (for purified water) — creating a value chain that uplifts small businesses and promotes sustainable livelihoods.

This ecosystem approach — where success is shared, not hoarded — reflects the Filipino value of community, deeply rooted in Cebuano heritage.

Legacy Brewing

Today, Bo’s Coffee continues to expand while keeping its values intact. It has become more than just a coffee shop; it’s a homegrown legacy, a Cebuano-born brand that chose to grow slow, grow proud, and grow local — before going global.

As the aroma of Filipino coffee begins to waft across the world, Bo’s stands as a reminder that sometimes, the best brands don’t come from Silicon Valley or European capitals. Sometimes, they begin right in the heart of Cebu — with a bold vision, a warm heart, and a very good cup of coffee.

Bo’s Coffee has more than 120 branches already including 9 outlets in Qatar and 2 in Dubai. Canada and the USA ate next in their expansion

Cebuano creativity is known all over. Kenneth Cobonpue furniture have found their way into the White House, Buckingham Palace and numerous Hollywood movies. Monique Lhuillier’s designs are highly sought after by famous celebrities and royalties all over the world.

Here’s three more Cebu brands that started modestly at home but have gone global since and has shown to have succeeded in doing so. These are neighborhood names we seem to neglect when international brands descend over but remained steadfast and resilient.

So just when all the popular stores are flocking to Cebu, these three Cebuano companies are reversing the trend by opening store after store in different locations worldwide and they are doing it triumphantly.

1. Penshoppe- started out as a clothing company in 1986 and instantly achieved a strong local following especially among the teens, it literally rode an exponential growth wave with 700 stores in just 30 years, 50 of which are scattered all over the world from Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, etc.

2. Bo’s Coffee- When Coffee shops became a local fad in the late 90’s, Cebuano ingenuity immediately took advantage and thus Bo’s Coffee was born and was brewing its way to success ever since. It is expected to breach the 100 outlets mark within the year and with its shop in Qatar doing very good, Dubai and other Middle East cities will soon smell the aroma of Cebuano cappuccino soon.

3. Julie’s Bakeshop– Who would have thought that my childhood favorite, Elorde bread, will one day be sold in Calgary, Canada and people will be lining up to taste it. Yes, Calgary is now officially a prosperous city because they have a Julie’s bakeshop. That’s how local towns gauge prosperity, with the presence of a Julies’ Bakeshop.

There are many others out there, I know. Cebuano’s entrepreneurial spirit cannot be fathomed. In fact, I won’t be surprised if there will be Pungko-Pungko in Times Street or Tisa Siomai and Tuslob-Buwa in London and Paris very soon.

So celebrate if you’re a true Cebuano and share this story for the world to read.