Kopi Tuku is known as a pioneer of milk coffee with palm sugar in Indonesia. The brand’s signature drink, “Tetangga Tuku,” has made it a favorite among loyal customers. Founded in 2015 by Andanu Prasetyo, also called Tyo, Kopi Tuku started from his research during college at Prasetya Mulya Business School.

The Beginning and Early Vision

Tyo first explored business while studying in college. Observing that coffee consumption in Indonesia was low despite abundant local production, he was motivated to start a coffee business.

He opened the first Kopi Tuku store on Jalan Cipete Raya in 2015. Tyo emphasized that Kopi Tuku is more than a coffee shop; it aims to contribute positively to the Indonesian coffee industry from production to distribution.

Growth Without Franchising

Kopi Tuku expanded successfully without using a franchise model. Tyo prefers to maintain centralized control over outlets to ensure quality and adapt to local tastes.

• Storytelling Strategy: Telling the brand’s story helps customers understand why they should drink Kopi Tuku coffee.
• Controlled Expansion: By June 2023, Kopi Tuku had 39 outlets, with plans to open more by the end of the year.
• MAKA Group: Tyo established PT Makna Angan Karya (MAKA Group) to manage Kopi Tuku, its roastery Beragam, and other brands like Futago, allowing expansion in the F&B sector while keeping focus on quality.

Tyo said, “We have studied from the beginning that standardizing taste across regions is difficult due to cultural differences. We learned from that experience.”

Sustainability and Environmental Programs

Since 2019, Kopi Tuku has implemented ESG (environmental, social, and governance) initiatives:

• Recycled Packaging: Cups and bottles are 100% recyclable. Creamer bags are repurposed into new products.
• Waste Management: 56 stores (90%) sort waste, including coffee grounds, creamer bags, and barista aprons. Some waste is turned into briquettes, lanyards, or furniture.
• Tree Planting and Agroforestry: Together with partners, 5,000 trees were planted in Garut, Aceh, and West Kalimantan. Customers and partners participate in planting activities.
• Donations: Customers contribute to environmental programs through small donations when purchasing Kopi Tukucur.
• Farmer Training: 630 coffee farmers and 275 palm sugar farmers across 20 regions have received training to supply Kopi Tuku.

Maisha D Ardani, Head of Relations, said, “At first, customers resisted the recycled cups, but we are committed to making cups easier to recycle by removing colored prints.”

Partnerships for Circular Economy

Kopi Tuku collaborates with Duitin to collect, sort, and recycle waste from stores. Initially implemented in 10 outlets, the program now covers 30 stores.

Audrey Adhiarini from Duitin said, “All collected waste is sorted by Kawan Tuku, weighed, recorded, and picked up directly, ensuring it does not end in landfills but returns to the circular economy.”

These initiatives involve customers, partners, and the community in sustainable practices while supporting local farmers.

PHOTO: TOKO KOPI TUKU

This article is a summary of two original articles. The full versions can be read at the following links:

https://id.investing.com/news/economy-news/kinerja-toko-kopi-tuku-tumbuh-pesat-siap-ekspansi-ke-amsterdam-dan-bali-2820636

https://www.msn.com/id-id/berita/other/ekspansi-pasar-tuku-promosikan-kopi-berkelanjutan-di-amsterdam-coffee-festival/ar-AA1Cq1Wy?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

https://www.fortuneidn.com/business/profil-pemilik-kopi-tuku-merintis-usaha-dari-tugas-kuliah-00-mv2nm-pcs4wf

https://entrepreneur.bisnis.com/read/20230615/88/1665711/strategi-bisnis-toko-kopi-tuku-sukses-tanpa-kemitraan

https://www.tempo.co/ekonomi/perjalanan-bisnis-keberlanjutan-toko-kopi-tuku-dari-gelas-daur-ulang-hingga-agroforestri-2055290#google_vignette