Caffbene, a local coffee chain operating more than 1,000 outlets both at home and abroad, has been recognized for its success in a thesis in a leading academic journal, the Korean company said last week.

Titled “Caffbene: master brewer of growth and global ambition,” the thesis ran in Case Research Journal published by the North America Case Research Association.

Authored jointly by professors David Choi and Kang Byung-oh of Loyola Marymount University and ChungAng University, respectively, the thesis was also uploaded onto Harvard University’s business school website.

“I’m proud, as a Korean, that the thesis was selected,” said Kim Sun-kwon, the chief executive and founder of Caffbene. “We’ll continue to work to improve our services and quality to become a global brand.”

Caffbene spokesman Kim Gun-dong said the case study was expected to be used for courses at U.S. business schools.

The thesis deals mainly with Caffbene’s history from its launch in 2008 to its first Manhattan store in 2012, highlighting Lee’s entrepreneurial spirit and the company’s key marketing strategies.

It also touches upon Caffbene’s strengths over rival corporate-owned chains such as Starbucks and Coffee Bean, and how the brand overcame the risks involved in opening a flagship store outside of Asia.

In just a year and a half since Caffbene began its global drive, the company has opened stores in 12 countries including the U.S. and China. The company aims to open 10,000 stores worldwide by 2020.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)