Manolo Bakes has named David López as the executive responsible for steering the brand’s growth both at home and abroad, consolidating international and domestic expansion under a single leadership structure for the first time.
López, who holds the title of Global Business Development Director, will define the market-entry strategy for each new country, identify and negotiate with potential partners, structure development agreements and lead the company’s expansion plan. He will also oversee local opening plans to ensure every new store follows the same operating model and brand standards that Manolo Bakes has built in Spain and Portugal.
The appointment comes as the coffee & bakery chain — known for its Manolitos pastry — moves from a phase of domestic consolidation to one of international ambition. Manolo Bakes currently operates more than 70 stores across the Iberian Peninsula and has built a loyalty base of over 520,000 members through Club Manolo Bakes, its membership programme.
«Manolo Bakes has all the attributes needed to succeed internationally: an iconic product, a clear value proposition and a simple, profitable operating model,» said López. «Our approach will be to identify markets where the concept has a strong fit and develop the brand alongside strategic partners with the experience and execution capabilities required, while continuing to grow with the same rigour in our home market.»
Under López’s leadership, the company will pursue a gradual and selective international rollout, prioritising the United Kingdom in Europe while exploring opportunities in Latin America and the Middle East. The strategy relies on partnerships with multi-unit operators — companies with a track record of managing several locations and developing brands in new territories — rather than direct openings.
José Antonio del Castillo, CEO of Manolo Bakes, framed the leadership change as part of a broader roadmap: «Strengthening our international expansion structure is a key step in our roadmap to turn Manolo Bakes into a global brand. Having consolidated a solid and profitable business model in Spain, we believe this is the right time to pursue international growth with ambition, but also with discipline and a focus on creating long-term value.»
The company aims to begin operations in one or two new countries during 2027, contingent on securing the right partners and market conditions, while continuing to open new stores across Spain and Portugal in parallel. Manolo Bakes has also confirmed it is actively seeking new international strategic partners interested in developing the brand under a long-term growth model.
Founded in 2017 and opened its first store in Madrid in June 2018, Manolo Bakes has grown into one of Europe’s fastest-recognised coffee house concepts within less than a decade, built on company-owned stores, high unit profitability and strong repeat-visit rates.
About Manolo Bakes
Manolo Bakes is a Spanish coffee & bakery brand founded in 2017 that opened its first store in Madrid in June 2018. It now operates 70 stores across Spain and Portugal, offering a premium coffee & bakery proposition built around the Manolitos and Palmitas — baked fresh daily and hand-decorated — alongside specialty coffee, pastries and savoury options. Club Manolo Bakes, its loyalty programme, has more than 520,000 members and is one of the company’s main drivers of repeat visits.