Ditta Artigianale currently operates four coffee shops in Italy and a roastery, which was awarded the title of best Italian coffee roaster in 2019 | Photo credit: Ditta Artigianale

Florence-based coffee roaster and coffee shop Ditta Artigianale is to open its first location outside of Italy in Toronto, Canada, in September.  
 

Founded in 2013 by Francesco Sanapo and Patrick Hoffer, Ditta Artigianale currently operates four coffee shops in Italy and a roastery, which was awarded the title of best Italian coffee roaster in 2019. 

Outside of Florence, Ditta Artigianale distributes its packaged specialty coffee in Esselunga supermarkets in the centre and north of Italy. 

Entering the Canadian market was first announced by the company in September 2021 and planned for Spring 2022. At the time Ditta Artigianale said more locations would follow in Canada and the US following the Toronto launch. 

The company, which has now confirmed a launch date of 21 September 2022, stated that the 40-seat café will offer premium coffee as well as cocktails in the evenings. 

World Coffee Portal data forecasts the Canadian branded coffee shop market to fall from more than 7,400 outlets in 2020 to 7,200 by 2025.  

However, with pandemic restrictions largely lifted across the world and hospitality businesses seeking to rebound following a period of limited in-store trading, several international coffee chains have targeted Canada for expansion.  
 

In August 2021, South Korean bakery-café chain Paris Baguette announced plans to open its first Canadian location in Toronto as part of global franchise expansion plan. 

In October 2021 Japan’s boutique café group % Arabica announced plans for two stores in Toronto, before Paris-based Café Kitsuné opened its first store in the country in Vancouver in January 2022. 

UK-based Pret A Manger opened its first location in Canada in July 2022 within an A&W store in Vancouver, as part of a two-year trial partnership with the Canadian restaurant chain.