The government-backed Saudi Coffee Company has signed new deals with Dunkin’ franchisee Shahia Food Limited Company and Costa Coffee licensee Alghanim Industries as it seeks to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s coffee industry through strategic private sector partnerships
The Saudi Coffee Company at the PIF Private Sector Forum 2025 in Riyadh | Photo credit: The Saudi Coffee Company
The Saudi Coffee Company (SCC) has signed seven strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at the PIF Private Sector Forum 2025, including agreements with the franchisees of Dunkin’ and Costa Coffee.
In a press release, SCC said the deals will elevate Saudi Arabia’s coffee industry both domestically and internationally by fostering innovation and strengthening private sector collaboration.
SCC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), will work with Dunkin’s Saudi master franchisee Shahia Food Limited Company to explore potential collaboration opportunities, with a strong focus on research, innovation and product development.
As part of the agreement, Shahia Food will also bolster barista training across its 800 Dunkin’ stores in the country by utilising the Saudi Coffee Company Academy, which provides educational programmes in the fields of coffee roasting, brewing techniques and barista skills.
SCC also expanded its supply deal with Costa Coffee’s Saudi Arabia franchisee Alghanim Industries at the two-day PIF Private Sector Forum 2025 in Riyadh, with a deal to enhance coffee bean production through local sourcing from SCC’s new manufacturing facility in Jazan. Costa Coffee partnered with the SCC in May 2024 to serve Jazean filter coffee across its 100 stores and is expected to collaborate on further product development initiatives.
Further deals were struck with Riyadh-based Future Harvest to explore freeze-drying technology, mining company Ma’aden to develop specialised fertilizers tailored for coffee farming and chocolatier Aani & Dani on product development. SCC has also partnered with Initial Saudi Group and Lawazem to bolster its facilities management and supply chain operations.
“These strategic MoUs mark a significant milestone in SCC’s mission to elevate Saudi coffee as a globally recognised premium product. By working closely with key stakeholders, we are ensuring a thriving and sustainable future for the Saudi coffee industry,” said Khalid N. Abu Theeb, CEO, SCC.
Founded in May 2022, the SCC is seeking to develop the domestic coffee industry through sustainable agronomy, education and trade deals. Backed by SAR 1.2bn ($320m) investment from Saudi Arabia’s PIF, the SCC has set goals of increasing the Kingdom’s coffee production from 300 to 2,500 tons annually by 2028 and planting 10 million coffee trees in the Jazan region within the next 10 years.
In February 2024, SCC signed deals to supply Jeddah-based coffee chains Barn’s and BON Cafe with Saudi-grown coffee.