The Larissa-based coffee chain follows its recent market entry in Germany with an outlet in Sulaymaniyah, and plans to ‘open Mikel Coffee all over Iraq in the coming three years'
The coffee chain has an ‘expansion plan to open Mikel Coffee all over Iraq in the coming three years' | Photo credit: Mikel Coffee
Mikel Coffee has entered the Iraqi market with an outlet at the Family Mall shopping centre in Sulaymaniyah.
The Greek coffee chain, which operates more than 350 stores across Europe, the Middle East and the US, joins a small group of international brands in Iraq's hospitality market, which is led by domestic chain Bin Al Beiruti and US coffee chain Green Beans Coffee.
However, indicating the Iraqi market is becoming more attractive to international brands following decades of instability, US bakery and café chain Cinnabon opened a store in Baghdad in February 2023, while US donut and coffee chain Duck Donuts announced plans in April 2023 to open 10 outlets in Iraq in the coming years.
World Coffee Portal research shows the total Iraqi branded coffee shop market comprises approximately 50 outlets and is expected to reach 110 stores by 2027.
Mikel Coffee has partnered with Dubai-based hospitality investment and management company B&K Group to enter Iraq and said it has an ‘expansion plan to open Mikel Coffee all over Iraq in the coming three years'.
The Larissa-based coffee chain’s Iraqi debut follows hot on the heels of its market entry in Germany, where Mikel Coffee opened in Stuttgart in May 2023.
Speaking to World Coffee Portal, Mikel Coffee Chief Marketing Officer Stelios Papakostas said he expects further development in Germany, Spain, France and the UK, where the coffee chain has three stores, over the next few years.