Official Website: http://www.coffeebean.com.my/
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf coffee machine: http://www.cbtl.com.my/

Also have e-commerce where you can order products and collect them from their outlet of your choice.



I absoluted adore their Ice Blended Mocha. Drink them like 3-4 times a week.

Their food is great too. More variety than their competitor.

Current promotion they have:
• Citibank Clear Card – Buy 1 Free 1 for all Coffee Bean drinks (until 31 Aug 2011) extended until further noticed...
• Citibank All Cards – 20% off total bill for selected purchases (until 31 Aug 2011) extended until further noticed...





This post has been edited by abubin: Oct 10 2011, 11:59 AM

you forgot to mention the buy 1 drink free 1 drink promotion with Citibank Clear card.

ok added.

I too, like their Ice Blended Mocha & BrekODay but many of their outlet seems not doing so well. Dunno what is missing?!

yah..a lot of their outlets business not that good. Their SS2 already closed and I foresee their uptown outlet closing soon. Their outlet at eCurve also not doing well.

I guess it's branding issue. They need to create better branding awareness.

I don't think the brand itself has a problem but usually their outlet location not as attractive as their competitor. For me, I like both but TCB have little advantage for their loyalty card.

This year their loyalty card T&C changes. Dunno for better or worse?

I dunno why but everytime I drink their coffee, something missing wan no kick, umphhh & tasted blend comparing to Starbucks

Which outlet serves the best?

... really?

I got a free coffeebean card from citibank last time. can't remember, think it was rm100 or rm200 value hehe. but use finish already. personally I prefer starbucks, maybe because I am slave to branding, but I find their outlets and design/renovation more 'cozy' than coffee bean.

I hate Starbuck coffee, nice aroma nia but taste not smooth or ummph!
My fav coffee is from Illy.

i agree, their ice blended mocha is way ahead of what other coffee shops can offer. but their regular coffee is not as good as starbucks.

the one in 1u is pretty good, i always ask for my ice to be extra fine.

Tell me if this is location related. The branch located in eCurve. It is a corner lot near the main entrance. Very good location I would say. But business still not that good.

Maybe part of the problem is their counter? It is so high with things (like their cashier machine) and it is disturbing the necessary eye contact during transaction. It is blocking client and cashier from "connecting".

I stopped using loyalty card since they have 20% discount on citibank cards. With loyalty card, you get around 15% discount overall.

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Added on March 30, 2011, 5:52 pmwell..that's what they say anyway "We're the leader in coffee and tea drinks and the inventors of the World Famous Original Ice Blended." Taken from their website.

However, I do remember they are the first to introduce ice blended coffee in Malaysia. Before that Starbuck is nowhere to be seen. SB comes few years after CBTL.

This post has been edited by abubin: Mar 30 2011, 05:52 PM

Comparing to their competitor which located alongside with other restaurant, they still lack behind. Some more, you can see no fans or whatever for outside tables. Take Pavilion and Mid Valley into consideration for comparing too.

wow good observation!
And I think their color too 'brown' & 'woody' aka old fashion!

And i also hated that they ask for our names and call it out like pasar lelong sayur.

Personally i like the Ultimate (good kick).

the problem with coffee bean is the service. compare to starbucks that's one of the main areas they lose.

but if comparing the blended drinks, CBTL has an advantage in terms of taste

Espresso drinks, SB has the advantage, CBTL espresso beans seems to be lacking of flavor

so who wins?

yeah..service seems not much difference to me. But like I said maybe it's due to the barrier they have in CBTL counter that's blocking proper contact. That might give you the impressions of bad service.

Some Starbucks have barriers too.

Well, one can find lousy services anywhere, anyway. If you want personal touch-type services, you guys shouldn't buy from Starbucks/Coffee Bean

I like their food more than Starbucks. And their Ultimate (ice blended) is the only drink I would go for. And maybe Caramel if I wanna get extra sugar high.

But the service for certain outlets are slow. For e.g. Mid Valley branch. I'd to wait for quite some time before my food (breakfast - Break O Day) was served. Regarding the counter thingy, most of the time, I've to find an empty spot to sign the credit card slip. Their front counter is way too packed / tight / small. Maybe it's just me.

No, not just you but me too!

I just hate it when the brek0day's toast are not even toasted!

It is because they serve wholesome food (e.g. pasta) but Starbucks don't?

Last time, they used to give thick toast with crusty outside and soft and fluffy inside. Now... I don't know what type of bread they are using. They are kinda hard.

Yup. Although they are edible but still... Haha.

Cost cutting! But I think it is going too far already as I can see less & less people visiting them.

I like their ice blended mocha too...would be really sad if more outlets are closing down!

Maybe. But one thing for sure is that they are lacked of customer service etiquettes.

This post has been edited by goliath: Apr 3 2011, 06:58 PM

I was at their Lowyat branch last Saturday and 2 problems.

First, is their order taking is very slow. Only 1 customer, takes so long to take their order. If they have queues like Starbucks, I think customers complain already.

Second, their ice blended mocha taste different. It have not enough coffee kick and another strange aroma to it. The only way I can describe the aroma is like they added a very subtle flowery taste to it. I don't like it. Not sure if I should complain to HQ.

Source: http://www.citibank.com.my/english/docs/pd...ar/tnc_cbtl.pdf

Subject to these Terms and Conditions, with effect from 5th October 2010 and until further notice, each principal or supplementary holder of the Citibank Clear credit card issued in Malaysia (“Citibank Clear Card“) (“Citibank cardmember”) who purchases a “CBTL Drink” (defined to mean a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf drink served in a cup, glass or bottle with a “Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf” logo) at any of the following participating “The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf“ stores in Malaysia using a Citibank Clear Card will receive one free CBTL Drink of the
Citibank cardmember’s choice which is of an equal or less value. The free CBTL Drink is not exchangeable for cash, credit or kind whether in part or in full.

just like I expected, their branch in Damansara Uptown closed already.

Anyone knows if Citibank card holders are entitled to 20% off their merchandise too e.g. the CBTL coffee machine and the capsules?

yes, the 20% discount also apply to merchandise except for special discounted items.

If I remember correctly, it also apply to CBTL coffee machines and capsules. Asked quite long ago.

Was at their QueensBay branch in Penang. Everything seems to change for the worse.
Sausages taste & texture also different like the cheapo one made of 90% fillers & additives.
Black hot coffee also less aroma.
I'm not surprize if many more outlet close cos it seems the top management not interest in this business anymore.
Spend so much money to renovate but still short staff. Every time I visit, have new ppl on training!
Think they just wanna sell coffee powder and machines.

This post has been edited by DarkNite: Aug 22 2011, 07:35 PM

I visit Coffee bean more often than their competitors because of my Citibank card. Lol.
But personally I prefer Starbucks.

Really? What do you like about starbucks? Honestly, the coffees and food in starbucks cannot win CBTL. Only thing good about starbucks is the customer service and branding.

Now Buy 1 Free 1 on CBTL no more liau....sad sad.....

lowyat get one fat malay girl she very nice

Customer service and overall atmosphere of the outlet.
And yes, I agree the drinks and food at Coffee Bean is way better. I often go for their breakfast as well.

u sure no more? Did you ask them? Cause the 20% discount with citibank cards still have. According to the cashier, currently promotion extended.

i am interested to buy their coffee maker machine, but anywhere can I get and how to get a baring price.

You can go to their official website and order from there. If not mistaken, you can specify which store you want to collect your machine and they will send it there.

http://www.cbtl.com.my/

Thanks.
But now I also might consider the nescafe dolce gusto. The price looks good. Only thing capsule is usable for their own brand product.

Ice Blended Mocha one of my favorite drink

Have you decided on which or gotten your coffee maker? I am also considering one but then i tried the Dolce-Gusto espresso once from their demo and felt that it taste like Nescafe gold. Somehow aroma just not really there and taste is not creamy at all.

I'm leaning towards CBTL machine but my first choice was a Nespresso machine. Couldn't seems to find it in KL so most probably will settle with CBTL.

if only they have a machine for making ice blended mocha...that is plus ingredient and all to make authentic tasting CBTL ice blended mocha.

This post has been edited by abubin: Nov 2 2011, 03:03 PM

I've never really been a great coffee drinker myself so whenever I visit I always take the Green tea.

Starbucks serves fairly ordinary flavoured green teas (Tazo) but you get a choice of nice big mugs to let what flavour the teas has seep out.

Coffee Bean serves better green tea with an actual green tea taste so my preference is for Coffee Bean teas.

One thing never fails to amaze me is the look of wonder on the staffs face when I ask for a hot tea & not an iced tea, it's like as if this is a very rare occurrence in these establishments.

Has anyone else ever experienced the same in these places or is my penchant for drinking hot green tea in these places really so unusual?

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Added on November 2, 2011, 9:24 pmIf you were to try to extrapolate the popularity of both brands you could look at their Facebook pages & Coffee Bean Malaysia currently has 5,978 Likes compared to Starbucks Malaysia with 47,909 Likes.

Obviously this is not definitive proof of anything but it does throw up a rather large disparity in terms of social networking helping brand awareness.

This post has been edited by SpyMalaysia: Nov 2 2011, 09:24 PM

There are a few reason why starbucks is more popular. One of them is because starbucks have a lot more branches. They can open branches like crazy because it is a franchise business. Those who are interested to open starbucks can apply to be franchisee. If the shop close down, berjaya doesn't lose much. Compared to CBTL, they don't franchise out their business. Hence, they need to carefully consider when opening each branch.

The other reason is because starbucks is very big in the US. It has a successful model of management which they duplicate to here. Therefore all the outlets are run quite efficiently like McDonald's. So management is also one part that CBTL fail quite badly.

The other day, I was queuing to buy my usual coffee. There are only 1 register open (as usual) and it took me 20 minutes to get my drinks. The cashier is new. There are only 1 person in front of me.

Hmmmm, yep, I suppose there are reasons for everything & you just gave a good account of very plausible possible reasons for Starbucks dominance.

I like double choc ice blended.but so sad when i buy last week at coffee bean city square jb the taste not even double choc.. Single choc oso dont have.seriously..i drink same flavor at coffee bean vivo city singapore it's super duper yummy!!!

Maybe the staff do it cincai as the shop want to close already that time.will try at senai airport branch next time i go there.

Just my fair share.

CBTL drinks quality are getting from bad to worst. I used to be CBTL supporter but now I have to admit I have to take Starbucks now.

Drinking at Starbucks also is also based on luck as you need select which branch that serve good drinks eg : ice blended drinks. Not all baristas skills are equally good among the chains.

U can request for 2nd cup if it's not nice;)

Can someone help me to check if the citibank 20% discount applies to the cbtl capsules.

Yes can forget about the dolche gusto. Taste like nescafe only.

Best is ille, nespresso, cbtl machines. Dolche don't even make it to my rank

How true!
As most of the staff was from McD's Malaysia when Mr. V. Tan started StarBuck Malaysia.

And yes CoffeeBean Top management sucks big time! They dun have the vision to grow their business. They have the best recipes & food but not the business acumen to grow.
Now they are more interested in selling their machines.
Guess can't blame them as they are basically coffee & tea traders.

I stumbled into this thread as I was about to ask what kindda flavor that u guys recommend to buy and make at home im not a regular of both.....but im keep to utilize my new coffee machine at home that i got as a present been trying some cheap coffees that i bought from the mall but taste is so n so .....

what machine are you talking about? CBTL coffee machine or just other normal coffee machine?

CBTL closed their Senai Airport branch recently.

Went there and it was boarded up, emailed the CS and they confirmed closed.

Anyone know where to get the CBTL capsule holder? Not those available in MY stores, saw one http://cbtl.coffeebean.com/hexo-capsule-holder/d/1011 but only available in the US

CBTL Capsule got promotion?

im letting go of a coffee bean tea leaf machine. let me know if anyone interested, slightly negotiable, dont want to see it wasted in the store.

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=3601148&hl=

Hey guys , I was at midvalley outlet and was told that dine in price is slight higher than take away price . Is that true ?

Indirectly, yes... as dine in, they will charge you additional service charge...