About | Yardstick Coffee

Founded 2013

A Bold Ambition

Yardstick was born in 2013 from the shared vision of three university friends — Andre Chanco, Kevin Tang, and Jessica Lee — who met while studying in Singapore. They returned to the Philippines with a single, audacious goal: to set the benchmark for the entire coffee industry in the country.

In the late 2000s, specialty coffee was slowly sprouting in different parts of the world. The three founders saw an opportunity — while Singapore's market was already saturated and mature, Manila offered a chance to build something from the ground up.

The name "Yardstick" itself reflects this ambition. It wasn't just about selling coffee; it was about creating a standard by which all other coffee experiences in the Philippines would be measured.

The Founders

Three Roles, One Vision

Andre Chanco leads the coffee side of the business — sourcing, roasting, managing the cafes, and overseeing brand and marketing. His hands-on approach to every roast profile ensures Yardstick's quality remains uncompromised.

Kevin Tang, as CEO, manages the B2B operations including their coffee equipment distribution business. Yardstick is the official Philippine partner for La Marzocco and Rocket Espresso.

Jessica Lee handles the backend operations and finance, ensuring the business runs smoothly behind the scenes as it scales across Metro Manila.

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Accessibility

We believe specialty coffee shouldn't be intimidating. From casuals right through to coffee geeks, everyone is welcome at our bar.

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Quality First

Every bean is roasted in-house with meticulous care. We source from the best farms around the world to bring out distinct flavor profiles.

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Community

For over a decade, we've hosted the Philippine AeroPress Championship, championing collaboration and growth in the local coffee scene.

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Unique Spaces

At the core of every cafe is our DNA, but each space features exclusive beverages and a unique experience tailored to its community.

Evolution

From B2B to Beloved Brand

Yardstick launched in 2013 as a B2B company, roasting and supplying coffee to other businesses across the Philippines. But the founders always had a bigger vision.

Following the pandemic, Yardstick shifted its focus to retail, evolving into a customer-led, community-driven coffee brand. What started as a single roastery in Legazpi Village has grown into 10+ branches across Metro Manila — from SM Aura to BGC, Rockwell, MOA Square, and beyond.

In addition to their cafes, Yardstick continues to distribute premium coffee equipment and conduct professional coffee trainings and workshops, cementing their role as a pillar of the Philippine specialty coffee ecosystem.

Recognition

World-Class Coffee, Philippine Roots

Yardstick Coffee has been recognized on the global stage, earning a spot among the finest coffee shops in the world.

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#18 in 2025

World's 100 Best Coffee Shops — the highest-ever ranking for a Philippine coffee shop.

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#34 in 2026

World's 100 Best Coffee Shops — the only Philippine entry on the prestigious 2026 list.

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PH AeroPress Champions

Proud host of the Philippine AeroPress Championship for over a decade running.

Experience the Yardstick Difference

Visit one of our cafes and taste the coffee that's putting the Philippines on the global specialty map.

Find a Branch Near You

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