Introduction:As a Yunnan-based local coffee chain brand, Four Cats has rapidly expanded its physical stores in Lijiang by leveraging its access to local coffee bean resources and e-commerce DNA. This article provides an in-depth analysis of its store layouts in Lijiang and future locations such as Dali, details the pricing ranges and flavor profiles of signature products like instant coffee, roasted coffee powder, green coffee beans, and specialty cat poop coffee, and examines its cup beverage pricing strategy to help coffee enthusiasts make informed and affordable choices.
In Lijiang, Yunnan, a locally rooted coffee brand—Four Cats—is gradually becoming a new favorite among local coffee lovers. Leveraging its command of Yunnan’s coffee-growing regions and experience in e-commerce platform development, the brand has not only built a solid online customer base but also opened multiple physical experience stores in Lijiang and Shuhe, offering a diverse selection ranging from instant coffee and roasted coffee powder to specialty coffee beans.
The founding of Four Cats originated from the shared vision of four entrepreneurs: Xu Zhengxiong, Xie Wenzhang, He Jing, and Chen Sha. By integrating their expertise in e-commerce and the coffee industry, they established a complete supply chain—from green bean cultivation and roasting processing to sales services—through Hemei Coffee Company. Starting in 2012, the four partners brought the brand to market under the name “Four Cats,” blending internet brand thinking with the preferences of young consumers and quickly securing a place on e-commerce platforms.
The brand’s e-commerce layout started early, having already entered major platforms such as Taobao, JD.com, Meituan, and Dianping, while also building a loyal user base through its self-built platform. After solidifying its online sales foundation, Four Cats gradually extended its reach to offline experiences, aiming to allow consumers to personally experience the charm of coffee culture and the tasting process.
Starting in 2015, Four Cats began opening stores in the core area of Lijiang Ancient Town. The first experience store was located on Mixi Lane in Xinyi Street, followed by the second on the opposite side of Longtan Square on Huama Street, and the third store officially commenced operations on September 20 on Hanzi Street at the North Gate of Shuhe Ancient Town. These three stores focus primarily on showcasing and sampling coffee products, providing customers with the opportunity to closely explore different roast levels, origin flavors, and brewing methods.
In the future, Four Cats plans to add more stores in key commercial areas of downtown Lijiang, such as Heye Plaza, with an expected scale of five stores by early 2016. After establishing a foothold in the Lijiang market, the brand also has its sights set on other well-known tourist cities in Yunnan such as Dali, continuing to expand its offline presence. Store locations are mostly concentrated around popular scenic spots or shopping centers, making them convenient for both travelers and local consumers to visit.
Stepping into any of Four Cats’ stores, one can appreciate the brand’s clever use of “cat” elements—from Black Cat Detective, Doraemon, Garfield to Hello Kitty. These themed decorations not only add fun but also resonate with the brand name and the common association of cats with coffee culture. The space design balances rest and tasting functions, allowing customers to enjoy the charm of coffee beans from Yunnan’s high mountains in a leisurely atmosphere, while also taking in the unique street scenes of the ancient town or city.
In terms of products, Four Cats offers a wide selection including instant coffee, roasted coffee powder, various types of coffee beans, and specialty cat poop coffee, with price ranges varying from 15 RMB to 228 RMB. Among these, the pricing for single cups is kept under 50 RMB, offering significant cost-performance advantages compared to international chain brands. Especially by relying on its own complete industrial chain—controlling everything from the green bean source to roasting and processing—the brand achieves an excellent balance between quality and price.
Many consumers particularly recommend its blended coffee beans and high-altitude single-origin beans, which are ideal for coffee enthusiasts who enjoy pour over or French press brewing. Additionally, to celebrate the opening of new stores, the Shuhe North Gate branch once launched a ten-day free tasting event, allowing the public to experience the brand’s star products with zero barriers. For those trying Yunnan-grown coffee for the first time, it presents an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the local flavor.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
