The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® Extends its Consumer Wireless Charging Services with Power Matters Alliance

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, a leading specialty coffee and tea retailer in 24 countries, today announced it will be testing wireless charging with Power Matters Alliance (PMA) at certain of its Los Angeles locations.

"Wireless power is becoming mainstream and we want our consumers to be able to recharge their digital self no less than their physical self in our stores," said Mel Elias, CEO & President, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.  "Even those who cannot read tea leaves can see the PMA's momentum; and we are pleased to be able to play our role in support of the wireless power industry for the benefit of consumers worldwide."

The Coffee Bean plans to deploy wireless charging with PMA in dozens of California stores this quarter, with the aim of expanding nationally and internationally shortly thereafter.

"I'm very excited that the PMA is aligning with The Coffee Bean to test wireless charging in stores within their core market," said Ron Resnick, President of the PMA.  "The Coffee Bean epitomizes what the PMA is about: not simply setting a global standard, but creating a real-world ecosystem of smart, and environmentally responsible wireless power, for the benefit of consumer everywhere." 

About the Power Matters Alliance
PMA was founded by Powermat Technologies and Procter & Gamble in 2012. Google's Vint Cerf – one of the fathers of the Internet – is its Honorary Chairman, and its board includes AT&T, Duracell, Starbucks and the US Government's Energy Star and Federal Communications Commission. A wide array of PMA-compliant products are available at leading retailers, and compatible 'wireless charging spots' have been installed at leading airports, stadiums, restaurants, gyms and hair salons. Membership of the PMA is open to all, and its technical specifications are available to all members at www.powermatters.org.

About The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®
Born and brewed in Southern California since 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® is the oldest and largest privately-held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the United States. Embodying a passion for connecting loyal customers to one another with carefully handcrafted products, the company is known for sourcing and providing the finest ingredients and flavors from around the world.   For nearly 50 years, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has demonstrated a passion for product innovation epitomized by The Original Ice Blended® beverage. The company has grown to be an international icon and currently has more than 850 stores in 24 countries. In 2010, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® launched the CBTL® Single Serve Beverage System that allows consumers to make their favorite espresso, brewed coffee, tea and specialty beverages at home, at the touch of a button. For more information, visit www.coffeebean.com, www.cbtl.com or www.facebook.com/coffeebean .

SOURCE Power Matters Alliance