Having opened just 30 stores in India since 2008, the coffee chain has set its sights on reaching 250 sites by 2030 via a new partnership with Ekaagra Ostalaritza Pvt Ltd
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Yousif Abdulghani, Chief Development Officer at CBTL | Photo credit: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) is seeking to significantly boost outlet growth in India after awarding master franchise rights to Kolkata-based Ekaagra Ostalaritza Pvt Ltd.
The Jollibee Food Corp-owned coffee chain launched in India in 2008 and operates approximately 30 sites, predominantly in Delhi and Mumbai.
In a press release, CBTL said it is targeting 250 outlets in India within five years as it seeks to tap into ‘immense opportunities for premium and experiential café concepts’ in the country.
“We are delighted to partner with Ekaagra Ostalaritza to accelerate our growth in India. India’s dynamic coffee and tea market offers incredible potential, and Ekaagra Ostalaritza’s deep expertise and local insights make them the ideal partner. Together, we are poised to position CBTL as a key player in India’s thriving specialty beverage market,” said Yousif Abdulghani, Chief Development Officer, CBTL.
Established in August 2024, Ekaagra Ostalaritza is backed by Prannay Sureka – Managing Director of Indian venture capital firm Alex Group of Companies.
“With our deep understanding of the Indian market and CBTL’s superior product portfolio and global brand values, we aim to redefine café culture in India,” added Prashant Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer, Ekaagra Ostalaritza.
Founded in California, USA, in 1963, CBTL opened its first international store in Singapore in 1996 and moved its headquarters from the US to the city-state in 2023. The coffee chain currently operates more than 1,200 stores across 24 markets globally and signed a franchise agreement with Waterscape Investments Pvt. Ltd. to open stores in the Maldives in May 2024.