Blank Street has announced the acquisition of London coffee brand Over Under, with plans to gradually integrate the latter’s eight sites.
During the next year, it will work with Over Under to integrate teams and to combine Over Under’s experience in the London coffee market with the Blank Street concept.
The New York-founded specialty coffee concept has grown to 40+ US locations since launching in 2020. It made its UK debut in June this year and has since opened seven sites in London.
Over Under CEO Ed Barry, who founded the business in 2017, will become a “key part” of Blank Street going forward and will lead the teams’ gradual integration, which will see Over Under employees become part of the Blank Street team.
Commenting on the acquisition, Ignacio Llado Alvarez-Salas, UK MD for Blank Street, tells MCA that the deal will allow the business to expand further to high footfall areas.
“We want to meet our customers wherever they are, and we believe expanding to have many locations in high footfall areas is the key to providing the convenience we want to offer our customers,” he says.
“Partnering with Over Under has allowed us to accelerate this goal, whilst bringing in a fantastic team and building on what Ed has already achieved over the last 5 years.”
Alvarez-Salas added that both companies have a shared ethos in their goal to offer a quality product at a competitive price point.
“The coming together of Blank Street and Over Under will only serve to reinforce Blank Street’s positioning in the London coffee market - as the destination for exceptional quality and affordable coffee,” he adds.
“Currently in the UK, a large majority (approximately 90%) of the coffee market is held by the big chain players. Blank Street and Over Under both believe that they offer a significantly better value proposition and customer experience than these brands, and at a competitive price point.”
The core Blank Street offering will remain consistent, but the teams are working to incorporate some of Over Under’s “hero items” into the menu, according to Alvarez-Salas.
Blank Street will first rebrand the Over Under site in South Kensington this week, followed by Gloucester Road. The rebranding of Over Under sites in Clapham Common, Earl’s Court, Ladbroke Grove, West Brompton, Wandsworth Town, plus a coffee truck in Battersea Power Station, will follow gradually.
Barry commented: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Over Under over the last 5.5 years. Joining forces with Blank Street Coffee will allow us to take our company mission to the next level, creating a greater positive impact for our customers and providing exciting growth opportunities for our team.
“Blank Street Coffee is the perfect partner as they’re aligned in delivering unpretentious high-quality coffee to everyone.”
In August, Alvarez-Salas told MCA the brand was “laser-focused” on growing its London footprint through small-format locations that allow investment in quality while keeping a maintaining a competitive price point.
The concept is aimed at consumers looking for coffee on the go, with a focus on technology and ‘bean to cup’ espresso machines to increase convenience, speed, and consistency. It has broadened the offer with foccacia dishes and takeaway options.
