The New Delhi-based coffee chain will continue to target high-footfall tourist locations for outlet growth, but faces growing competition from both domestic and international operators
Barista currently operates 350 stores across India | Photo credit: Barista
Indian coffee chain Barista is seeking to reach 500 stores across the country within two years.
Founded in New Delhi in February 2000, Barista reached its 350-store milestone with a new outlet in the city of Udaipur in April 2023.
Barista said the Udaipur site highlights its growth strategy of opening in high-footfall tourist locations, which will enable the coffee chain to reach both domestic and international customers.
“At Barista, we are expanding our footprint across the country in a strategic manner and plan to be at 500 store count over the next two years. The objective is to connect with the larger community and be accessible for our consumers at multiple touch points. Over the past few years we have expanded well in tourist destinations and Udaipur is the latest entrant to the list. We are excited to be brewing in Udaipur and look to serve both domestic and international guests at this store,” said Rajat Agrawal, CEO, Barista.
Barista, which also operates 19 outlets across Sri Lanka, faces increasing competition from a wave of international coffee chains vying for a share of the vast Indian branded coffee shop market.
Having opened its 300th outlet in India in October 2022, Tata Starbucks now operates more than 320 stores across 37 Indian cities.
Following its market entry in August 2022, Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons plans to open 120 stores in India by the end of 2025 with a focus on high footfall locations.
UK-based Pret A Manger and its domestic franchise partner Reliance Brands Limited are seeking to open 100 stores across the country over the next five years.
In January 2023, Devyani International Limited (DIL) opened its 100th Costa Coffee store in India with a new outlet in New Delhi’s Khan Market shopping district.