News

Hello Kitty-themed fast casual cafe opening in California

September 6, 2018

Hello Kitty, the global icon whose image graces everything from purses and watches to kitchenware and clothing, is now at the center of a fast casual restaurant. Sanrio, the global lifestyle brand behind the brand, is opening the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe Sept. 14, inside the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine, California.

"Hello Kitty Cafe is an integral extension of the Hello Kitty brand as we continue to evolve and diversify our consumer touchpoints," Craig Takiguchi, COO of Sanrio, said in a company press release. "As the first brick-and-mortar cafe concept of its kind in the U.S., Hello Kitty Grand Cafe combines our signature fast causal setting with an all-new immersive dining experience through our Afternoon Tea Service for guests of all ages and Cocktail Service that caters to our adult fans. We look forward to debuting the latest evolution of Hello Kitty Cafe as a new destination in Southern California."

Going fast casual
Guests can pop in and out for a sweet treat at the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe with grab-and-go seating for up to 12 people. Menu offerings include made-to-order mini hot doughnuts and a pick-your-own four-piece set of Sanrio character mini cakes ($15). The space features classic white walls adorning kawaii Hello Kitty icons and one-of-a-kind artwork created for this location.

"We're very excited to welcome the first brick-and-mortar Hello Kitty Cafe in the U.S. at Irvine Spectrum Center," said Katie Dixon, director of marketing at Irvine Spectrum Center. "This is another example of how we provide our customers with a unique opportunity with an iconic brand they can't experience anywhere else."

In addition to food items, the cafe sells a gold bow handle mug ($25) and pink and rose colorway gold sequined Chubby Bunny bow ($30).

For the pretty kitties
The Bow Room at Hello Kitty Grand Cafe is a hidden reservations-only pink oasis with modern, sleek Hello Kitty-branded fixtures and a refined finish throughout, pouring afternoon tea by day, and cocktail service by night, according to the release.

With a bow-shaped knocker marking the entrance, The Bow Room at Hello Kitty Grand Cafe will offer an exclusive, reservation-only experience for fans. An Afternoon Tea Service ($55 per person; by reservation only) — available Wednesdays through Sundays — will include an assortment of fresh seasonal fruit, tea sandwiches, buttermilk scones, mini cupcakes, raspberry macarons, chocolate cake. An extensive tea selection, including a wide array of black, green, oolong, a special Birthday Tea blend, and caffeine-free tea offerings accompany the service.

In the evening, The Bow Room at Hello Kitty Grand Cafe will become a cocktail bar for guests aged 21 and up. Cocktail service will include an assortment of adult libations with a Hello Kitty twist including You Had Me at Hello (Cachaca, aperol, lemon, sherry and pineapple, $21); Matcha Matcha (Japanese whiskey, yogurt, matcha, yuzu, $15); Dear Daniel (Mezcal, pineapple, lime, spirulina, salted coconut whip, $16); and 1974 ( choice of an Old Fashion or Classic Negroni served with a signature Hello Kitty ice cube, $14).

Also available is a curated wine list ($10 - $63) including sparkling wine, champagne, pinot grigio, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and rosè by the glass or bottle, in addition to select by-the-bottle offerings ($35 - $87) including the Hello Kitty Sparking Rosè, Hello Kitty Pinot Grigio, Hello Kitty Prosecco, and Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut.

Hello Kitty on wheels
The Hello Kitty brand also has two food trucks that travel across the U.S. — one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast. The pink trucks offer guests a limited selection of sweet treats, as well as a bow-shaped water bottle, T-shirts, mugs and signature bow-shaped headbands.

Pop-up locations
The brand also boasts a Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Container and Hello Kitty Mini Café, which are both limited-engagement concepts, set within a mall or lifestyle center. The menu at each includes seasonal sweets, flavored iced teas and coffee drinks in a fast casual setting. The Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Container is housed within a pink metal shipping container with a pop-out patio scattered with bistro tables. It opened in 2016, in Irvine Spectrum Center but recently relocated to Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego.

The Hello Kitty Mini Cafe made its debut last year at the Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, Califorrnia, as a stand-alone kiosk. A second location opened in June 2018, at Santana Row in San Jose.