The Romanian specialty coffee brand Meron, founded in 2015 in Cluj-Napoca by Crina and Bogdan Ciocian, has reached a network of over 30 locations and a team of over 300 employees ten years after its establishment. According to a Business Magazin analysis, the business has expanded beyond Romania’s borders and has grown from a single coffee shop into a vertically integrated business model, which also includes its own coffee roastery.
The project started in the summer of 2015, beginning with a space featuring Neo-Brâncovenesc architecture located on Napoca Street in Cluj-Napoca. The founders’ vision took shape after participating in a specialty coffee festival in Amsterdam, where they understood the potential of the specialty coffee niche. Crina Ciocian, Managing Partner, and Bogdan Ciocian, CEO, relied on a coherent brand strategy focused on the consistency of the customer experience, which integrates interior design, lighting, music, and communication. Currently, the coffee selection is managed directly through the company’s own roastery, where the team daily tests coffee batches purchased from award-winning international farms, ensuring rigorous quality control.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Meron founded and by whom?
Meron was founded in 2015 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, by Crina and Bogdan Ciocian.
How many locations does Meron currently have?
Meron has expanded to a network of over 30 coffee shops and has also grown internationally.
Does Meron roast its own coffee?
Yes, Meron operates a vertically integrated business model that includes its own coffee roastery, where they test and roast batches from award-winning international farms.