The specialty coffee chain’s European presence now encompasses six markets, with first stores in Malta and the Netherlands also in development
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The interior of EL&N’s Aupark Shopping Centre store in Bratislava | Photo credit: EL&N
UK-based boutique café group EL&N continues to expand across Europe with its first store in Slovakia – its sixth European market and 13th globally.
Located on the ground floor of the Aupark Shopping Centre in Bratislava, the store features indoor and outdoor seating, a coffee truck and a bespoke pizza bar, which will host ‘make your own pizza’ classes.
Founded by Alexandra Miller in 2017, EL&N has been expanding its presence across Europe in recent years – debuting in France in late 2021 and Italy in June 2022, before launching in Germany and Poland last year.
The specialty coffee and lifestyle brand has also signed a franchise agreement with db Group to open several outlets in Malta and is exploring opportunities to expand to the Netherlands.
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EL&N also has a strong presence across the Middle East, with outlets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and opened its first stores in South Africa and Malaysia in 2023.
The coffee chain plans to launch in Macau later this year before debuting in Cambodia in 2025 via a partnership with French travel concession operator Lagardère Travel Retail. EL&N has also signed an agreement with retail conglomerate Reliance Brands to enter India.
World Coffee Portal’s Project Café Europe 2024 report found the total Slovakian branded coffee shop market comprises approximately 140 outlets, led by value-focused McCafé and Germany’s Tchibo Kaffee Bar with 34 and 19 stores respectively.
EL&N’s debut comes ahead of boutique Viennese bakery-café chain Aïda’s planned entry in the Slovakian market with an outlet at Bratislava’s Nivy Mall set to open in September 2024.