Sanrio Announces Opening of Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up in Irvine, CA

Sanrio, the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty, announces the opening of the Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up. The pop-up cafe is designed within a metal shipping container and will be located at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine, CA. The supercute, temporary modular space will be placed in the Giant Wheel Court and will open to the public in late November -- offering yummy goodies & treats to Hello Kitty fans of all ages into 2016.

The Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up will serve up selections of the supercute menu items that have become favorites on the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck, which has been making stops around the western United States since its debut at Hello Kitty Con in October 2014. Delicious mini cakes, colorful macarons packaged in adorable boxes, yummy doughnuts and bow shaped water bottles have become instant fan favorites and will be carried in the pop-up cafe, while Hello Kitty, My Melody®, Keroppi®, Little Twin Stars®, Chococat® & more Sanrio characters will be infused into an expanded offering of sweets, as well. In addition, the Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up will offer daily tea service as well as artisanal sodas and specialty coffee drinks brewed using Portola Coffee Lab coffee.

"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 is an evolution of our cafe experience, offering fan favorite menu items as well as a new selection of treats and exclusive merchandise in a modern, open concept space."

"The response from the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck appearances at Irvine Spectrum Center have been so phenomenal," said Easther Liu, chief marketing officer for Irvine Company Retail Properties. "We're looking forward to providing a year-long experience for our guests and die-hard Hello Kitty fans with the Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up."

The pop-up cafe will have a fast-casual setting, inviting guests to pop in & out quickly for a sweet snack - or to stay & enjoy their treats & coffee at a few high top tables located inside the container. Hello Kitty and her friends will welcome customers into the coffee shop space with bold character graphics adorning the exterior and interior panels. The cuteness continues inside of the pop-up cafe with modern fixtures and colorful displays throughout. Sanrio will expand its food service venture in the U.S. late next year, with the opening of a permanent Hello Kitty Cafelocation at an as of yet undisclosed Southern California location. Fans can stay up-to-date on goings on at the pop-up café, as well as with Hello Kitty Cafe Truck appearances, by following on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.

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, Macy's 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: CREAM, Pressed Juicery, BRIO Tuscan Grille, Del Frisco's Grille, Umami Burger, TLT Food, LYFE Kitchen and Sports Authority. For more information, please visit ShopIrvineSpectrumCenter.com.

About Sanrio
Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty, who is celebrating her 40th Anniversary this year. 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 Sanrio-branded items are available in over 70 countries and upwards of 15,000 U.S. retail locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 80 Sanrio boutiques. For more information please visit www.sanrio.com and www.facebook.com/hellokitty.

Media requests: Orsi Public Relations
Dyann Hawkins/Racine Diaz (323)874-4073
dyann@orsipr.com/racine@orsipr.com