January 27th 2025.
In 2025, Knoops has big plans for expansion, as they aim to double their number of shops. When people have a craving for a hot beverage, the usual go-to places are Starbucks, Pret, or Gail's. However, there's another drinks chain that is quickly gaining popularity in the UK. And while they do offer tea and coffee, that's not what they're best known for.
Knoops is the go-to destination for expertly crafted chocolate drinks. Their premium hot chocolate can be completely customized to suit your taste buds. First, you get to choose whether you want your drink to be hot, iced, or in milkshake form. Then, you can select the percentage of cocoa you prefer. But the fun doesn't stop there, as you can add in any extras that tickle your fancy, such as sea salt, vanilla, pink pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, chilli, orange, or lavender. To top it all off, you can indulge in a giant fluffy marshmallow and/or cream if you're feeling extra decadent. (https://www.instagram.com/p/DDcGDZYIGev/?hl=en)
So where can we expect to see new Knoops stores popping up? Well, the brand first launched in Rye, East Sussex in 2013 and currently has 21 stores across the UK. These can be found in various locations such as Kensington, Richmond, Cambridge, Guildford, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bath, and Bristol. But that's not all, as three more stores are set to open soon in Norwich, Cardiff, and York. And the chain's goal is to double their offerings in the next year, with a further aim of having 300 stores in the UK by 2028.
But the brand's CEO, William Gordon-Harris, has even bigger plans in mind. He has previously expressed his desire for Knoops to become "the new Starbucks." In July 2023, the brand secured a £6 million loan, which will help fund their vision of creating quality barista hot and cold chocolate drinks. It will also enable them to explore international opportunities. And it seems like their international ambitions are already taking shape, as Knoops launched its first store outside the UK in December 2024 in Dubai's City Centre Mirdif. The brand is also reportedly in talks to enter the US and China by the end of 2025. (Metro has reached out to Knoops for comment.)
So what do customers have to say about Knoops? On social media, the brand has been praised for having the best hot chocolate. People have described their drinks as heavenly, insane, and unreal. On TikTok, @ellenajhumm declared Knoops as the best hot chocolate ever, while @toriwelsh4 raved about it being the best hot chocolate she's ever tasted. She even added that she's still dreaming about it. On Instagram, @thegreekeats shared their love for Knoops' marshmallow hot chocolate and iced white choc mocha, calling them incredible. Hannah McNab also joined in, stating that if you love chocolate, then Knoops is the place for you. It seems like the brand is definitely living up to the hype. However, it's not for everyone, as some people on Reddit have mentioned that the drinks can be hit or miss and may taste too sugary. Some customers have also expressed concerns about the prices, with drinks starting at £3.75 and going up to £7.75.
But what does Metro's specialist food writer, Courtney Pochin, have to say about Knoops? She's a big fan of the brand and has tried everything from their 28% white chocolate drinks to the darker 73%. While her favorite place for hot chocolate is Danieli in Richmond, Knoops is a close second for her. With so much choice available, she loves that every visit is a chance to experiment with different flavors and create a unique drink. Her current favorite is the 54% dark hot chocolate with sea salt and vanilla, which tastes like rich and velvety caramel. For those who prefer white hot chocolate, she highly recommends Knoops' 28% version, which actually tastes like white chocolate and not just sugary milk. Add a vanilla marshmallow to take it to the next level. (Metro has reached out to Knoops for comment.)
Do you have a Knoops hot chocolate story to share? If so, we would love to hear it. Get in touch by emailing us at email.
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