Chinese chain Mixue, specialising in ice cream and iced teas, will open its first outlet in São Paulo. With 47,000 stores spread across twelve countries, mainly in China, the company claims to have more points of sale than McDonald's and Starbucks.

The arrival in Brazil comes with ambitious plans: the company intends to transform the country into a "hub" for South America by investing in a factory producing inputs to supply neighbouring markets. The project was announced in 2025 during President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's visit to China, with an investment of 3.2 billion reais planned in Brazil by 2030, including the construction of its own factory.

Should the plans materialise, Mixue aims to reach around 2,000 stores across Brazil within the next four years. Negotiations for the installation of the factory are already at an advanced stage, taking into account logistical factors in the region to be selected. This will be the company's first factory outside China, with the final location to be announced shortly.

(Source: O Globo, on 9 April)