The owner of Caffè Nero has expanded its portfolio by acquiring Nottingham-based coffee brand 200 Degrees.

Founded in 2012 by Rob Darby and Tom Vincent, 200 Degrees operates 21 locations across the Midlands.

The company has its own roastery, an e-commerce platform with a subscription service, and a wholesale division that supplies over 500 customers.

200 Degrees will maintain its independent identity as a standalone brand within the Nero Group, joining other brands like Caffè Nero, Coffee#1, Harris+Hoole, and Aroma.

The Nero Group now oversees more than 790 stores in the UK, with 625 of these being Caffè Nero locations, and operates approximately 1,100 stores across 10 countries.

Gerry Ford, Nero Group group chief executive, said: “I’m delighted to welcome 200 Degrees into the Caffè Nero family. It is a fantastic brand with an emphasis on great coffee and service combined with a local community-based feel which matches perfectly the ethos of the Nero Group.

“200 Degrees has a solid, loyal customer base and has developed a strong regional position. Our intention is to support 200 Degrees to continue its growth journey and allow the brand to operate separately alongside the other brands in the Nero Group.”

Stephen Fern, managing director of 200 Degrees, said: “The Nero Group is a great partner for us with its commitment to premium coffee and its strong values as a family-owned company. With this new partnership, we look forward to introducing even more people to our beans, our people and our passion for creating experiences to remember.”

AlixPartners served as the exclusive financial advisor to 200 Degrees Coffee for the acquisition. Additional terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Caffè Nero was founded in 1997.