UK’s Black Sheep Coffee makes Middle East debut with two Dubai stores

Black Sheep Coffee will open two further UAE outlets in the second quarter of 2024 | Photo credit: Orva Studio

London-based Black Sheep Coffee has opened two stores in Dubai in partnership with local franchisee Al Farran Group. 
 

Marking the brand’s Middle East debut, the two outlets at ACT Towers and Boulevard Plaza Towers will serve Black Sheep Coffee’s full specialty coffee menu – which uses robusta coffee rather than arabica – as well as regional products including a signature Arabic Latte and za’atar croissant. 

Black Sheep Coffee will open two further UAE outlets in the second quarter of 2024 at Dubai Mall and Yas Mall Abu-Dhabi.  

“A historic day as we opened our first shops in the UAE, in the heart of downtown Dubai. Thanks to our awesome Emirati customers for such a warm welcome and hats off to Mohamad Al Farran and his incredible team at the Al Farran Group on delivering two flawless openings in one single day. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the Middle East,” said Gabriel Shohet, Co-CEO, Black Sheep Coffee. 

Read related content: Branded coffee shops become big business in the Middle East 

Black Sheep Coffee signed a 30-year franchise agreement with Al Farran Group in May 2023 to open 250 stores across the Middle East within 15 years.  
 

The specialty coffee chain, which operates 80 stores across the UK alongside a single site in France, is also poised to make its US debut this year with an outlet in Dallas, Texas. 

In December 2023, UK franchise operator Moonglow Trading secured a ‘seven figure’ funding package to open an initial four Black Sheep Coffee stores in Cardiff and Oxford as the chain seeks UK growth outside of London.