EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Sanrio, who introduced the popular Hello Kitty Cafe Truck to fans across the country, has now opened the first Hello Kitty Cafe in the U.S. The Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Container opened on Friday, July 15, beginning its year-long residency at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine, CA. Hundreds of fans waited in line for hours throughout the opening weekend to scoop up pastries, hand shaken teas and custom made coffee drinks. The Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Container will be open daily to the public through 2017, offering treats to Hello Kitty fans of all ages.
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"Since its debut last year, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck has delighted fans in every city it has visited," said Jill Koch, Sr. Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing at Sanrio, Inc. "The Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Container is an evolution of our cafe experience, offering a new selection of treats in a modern, open concept space."
The menu at the Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Container features freshly made pastries developed specifically for the cafe, including adorable apple pies, delicious sprinkle-covered cakes, chocolate opera cakes, mixed berry tarts, sugar cookies, streusel tarts and more, with Hello Kitty infused into each offering. These pastries are handmade daily and exclusive to this location, differing from the selection on the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck. On the beverage side, guests can choose from hand shaken, fruit infused iced teas, lemonades and specialty coffee drinks brewed using Portola Coffee Lab coffee. An expanded menu featuring additional Sanrio characters and specialty daily tea service will debut later this year.
The unique and adorable space offers guests a fast-casual setting, inviting them to pop in and out quickly for a sweet treat – or to stay and enjoy their cute confections at bistro tables on the container's pop-out patio. Hello Kitty and her friends welcome customers into the space with bold character graphics adorning the exterior and interior container panels. The cuteness continues inside of the Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Container with modern fixtures and colorful displays throughout.
"There has been tremendous anticipation for the first ever Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Container to open," said Easther Liu, chief marketing officer for Irvine Company Retail Properties. "We're proud that the Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Container experience will be available exclusively here at Irvine Spectrum Center for Hello Kitty fans all over to enjoy."
On the mobile side, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will continue its trek across the United States this Fall, bringing Sanrio's 'small gift, big smile' philosophy to cities up and down the East Coast. Fans can stay up-to-date on the schedule for the truck and for additions to the menu and events at the Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Container by following the Hello Kitty Cafe on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.
High Resolution Images and B-roll footage are available upon request
About Sanrio®
Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty®, who recently celebrated her 40th Anniversary. Home to many endearing characters including Chococat® My Melody®, Badtz-Maru® and Keroppi®, Sanrio was founded on the 'small gift, big smile®' philosophy – that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of unique products and experiences. Today, more than 50,000 Hello Kitty-branded items are available in over 130 countries and upwards of 15,000 U.S. retail locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 35 Sanrio boutiques. For more information please visit www.sanrio.com and www.facebook.com/hellokitty.
About Irvine Spectrum Center
Irvine Spectrum Center is one of Southern California's most popular entertainment and lifestyle destinations, visited by more than 17 million people annually. The center features Nordstrom and Target, along with more than 130 stores, restaurants and entertainment venues, including the country's most successful Improv Comedy Club, as well as Orange County's most popular movie theater, a 6,400-seat, 21-screen movie theater with an IMAX screen. Recent additions include: Kona Grill, Honey & Butter, CREAM, BRIO Tuscan Grille and Del Frisco's Grille. For more information, please visit ShopIrvineSpectrumCenter.com.
Sanrio Contact: Orsi Public Relations
Dyann Hawkins/Racine Diaz (323) 874-4073
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