Leuven’s Madmum coffee replaces Starbucks at Antwerp Central

Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 12, 2026 – Speciality coffee shop Madmum from Leuven replaces the Starbucks outlet at Antwerp Central Station starting autumn 2026. The station, named the world’s most beautiful train station in 2014, serves over 80,000 daily passengers. Madmum brings locally roasted single-origin coffees to the high-traffic concourse previously occupied by the American chain.

Antwerp Central Station, designed by Louis Delacenserie and opened in 1905, features a neoclassical facade and a massive iron-and-glass dome. The location change follows a public tender process by NMBS/SNCB station management. Madmum secured a seven-year lease for the 120-square-metre unit on the main concourse.

Antwerp Central Station’s Architectural Heritage and Visitor Traffic   

Antwerp Central underwent €1.2 billion renovations completed in 2023, adding platforms and expanding retail space. Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2014 reader poll designated it the world’s most beautiful station. 

Daily footfall reaches 80,000 commuters connecting high-speed lines to Brussels, Amsterdam, and Paris. The station generates €38 million in annual concession revenue, with food and beverage outlets contributing 40%. Retail occupancy maintains 98% across 45 commercial units.

Madmum Coffee Roasters Company Background and Operations

Madmum established its first location in Leuven in 2016, growing to six outlets serving university campuses and city centre sites. The chain roasts single-origin beans from Colombia and Ethiopia in-house, offering flat whites, cortados, and plant-based milk options. Owner Pieter Van den Broeck oversees sourcing directly from farms.

Leuven operations serve 5,000 cups weekly with 45 staff trained in specialty brewing. Annual turnover hit €2.1 million in 2025. Madmum achieved B Corp certification in 2024 for sustainable practices.

Starbucks Previous Presence and Closure in Belgium

Starbucks operated the Antwerp Central outlet since 2016 under a 10-year lease, featuring 45 seats and high-volume takeaway service. Peak morning sales reached 400 drinks daily. The chain closed 18 Belgian stores in 2025, retaining 32 locations primarily in Brussels and Ghent. Shifting consumer preferences toward local roasters contributed to the lease non-renewal.

Consumer sentiment reflects frustration with chain coffee experiences. Netizen zOOpadOOp @Zum_Gee said in X post,

“this today, cups with all foreign names, 5 robotic barista girls with fake smiles, trendy pretentious names for the menu items, soulless husks walking back and forth on their phones outside, shitty music coming through the speakers (usually a man with high pitch voice whining)”

this today, cups with all foreign names, 5 robotic barista girls with fake smiles, trendy pretentious names for the menu items, soulless husks walking back and forth on their phones outside, shitty music coming through the speakers (usually man with high pitch voice whining)

— zOOpadOOp (@Zum_Gee) January 12, 2026

Lease Tender Process and Madmum Selection Criteria

NMBS/SNCB launched a public tender in March 2025, attracting eight bids for the prime concourse location. Evaluation criteria included footfall projections, brand heritage alignment, and sustainability commitments. Madmum offered €180,000 annual rent for the seven-year term.

Renovation work starts in July 2026, installing 50 seats, expanded counters, and heritage-compliant fixtures. Opening occurs in October 2026 with a projected 1,200 daily cups sold.

Station Retail Composition and Revenue Breakdown

Antwerp Central hosts five coffee outlets, eight bakeries, 12 convenience stores, and 20 fashion/gift shops. Food and beverage tenants generate 65 percent of €38 million yearly concessions.

NMBS prioritises local operators in tenders across its 50 major stations.

Belgian Speciality Coffee Market Growth Trends

Belgian per capita coffee consumption averages 6.9 kilograms annually, with the specialty segment expanding 14 percent yearly. Euromonitor data shows 62 percent of consumers under 35 prefer independent roasters. Plant-based milk sales increased 22 percent in 2025. Leuven’s 60,000 students drive Madmum’s core market, with 70% takeaway orders.

Parallel developments see independent cafes gaining prominent locations. Liverpool Echo @LivEchonews said in X post,

“‘Massive’ moment as legendary cafe makes ‘proud’ breakthrough. “

‘Massive’ moment as legendary cafe makes ‘proud’ breakthrough https://t.co/r6taNqnP5y

— Liverpool Echo (@LivEchonews) January 12, 2026

Madmum’s Expansion Plans Across Belgium

Madmum opened a Brussels Flagey Square location in September 2025. Future sites target Liège and Ghent by 2027. Delhaize partnership supplies Madmum beans to 120 supermarkets nationwide.

Staff training covers fair trade verification and latte art techniques. Seasonal menus incorporate local honey from Flemish apiaries.

NMBS/SNCB Concession Management Strategy

The rail operator oversees 120 retail spaces, funding Masterplan 2035 infrastructure. Tenders emphasise sustainable practices and local economic contributions. Antwerp Central’s €38 million concessions support platform expansions.

Brussels-Midi saw similar transitions with Dutch chain Doppio in 2024. Digital kiosks and app pre-orders increase average dwell time by 12 minutes.

Antwerp Central’s Transport and Economic Role

The station handles 20% of Belgian rail passenger kilometres, linking to the Port of Antwerp, generating 150,000 regional jobs. Thalys and Eurostar services comprise 35% of traffic. Freight operations run 120 daily trains through the underground diamond.

Retail supports the 2028 European Capital of Culture programming. Passenger surveys guide tenant selections, maintaining 98% occupancy.

Architectural Features Attracting Tourists

The 220-tonne dome spans 24 metres above marble staircases and diamond-patterned floors. Heritage classification occurred in 2009. Daily guided tours accommodate 80 visitors, peaking during the summer months. 1.2 million tourists visit annually, alongside commuters. High-speed connections facilitate day trips from Paris and Rotterdam.

Future Commercial Developments at Antwerp Central

NMBS plans two additional coffee units by 2027, plus sushi and vegan concepts. Masterplan designates 15% of space for social enterprises. Contactless payments integrate across concessions with cross-loyalty programmes. Footfall growth of 12% followed 2023 renovations. Lease transitions occur yearly across the network.