The coffee brand was founded by Kenneth Shoji. After the Tōhoku earthquake destroyed his house in Fukushima Prefecture in 2011, he moved to Hong Kong. As soon as he decided to start a coffee business, he went to Hawaii and purchased a coffee farm. In 2013, Shoji opened the first % Arabica café in Hong Kong. In 2014, % Arabica opened its worldwide flagship store in the Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district. The coffee brand is known for using its custom-made espresso machines, manufactured in Seattle, the machines allow baristas to have acceptable control while creating craft drinks.% Arabica was described as the "Japan's cult-favorite hit coffee shop"