Greece’s Mikel Coffee appoints master franchisee for India launch

A Mikel Coffee outlet in Alexandreia, Greece | Photo credit: Mikel Coffee

Greek coffee chain Mikel Coffee is preparing for an India launch after awarding master franchise rights in the country to Greko India. 
 

India will be Mikel Coffee’s first market in South Asia, with the partners currently evaluating locations in Delhi NCR. The Larissa-based coffee chain and Greko India will then seek to expand to the key markets of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai and Bengaluru. 
 

“We are excited to be finally in one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Our presence in India offers us immense possibilities as the coffee market is expanding fast. The Indian market has evolved over the last few years with a growing appreciation and taste for an artisanal brewing experience,” said Eleftherios Kyriakakis, CEO, Mikel Coffee. 

Founded in 2008, Mikel Coffee currently operates 258 stores in its home market and a further 120 across 18 international markets, primarily in Europe and the Middle East. It also operates two stores in Canada and single sites in the US and Australia. 

Its planned India debut comes as scaled international operators increasingly seek opportunities in India’s fast-growing branded coffee shop market. In November 2024, fellow Greek operator Coffee Island announced plans to launch in India with its first store in the country set to open before the end of January 2025. 

Indonesia’s Kopi Kenangan, France’s Bagelstein and Belgium’s Le Pain Quotidien have also outlined plans to launch in India within the next six months, while US chain The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf awarded master franchise rights to Kolkata-based Ekaagra Ostalaritza Pvt Ltd in December 2024 to scale from 30 sites in India to 250 within the next five years.   

Haryana-based Greko India is a consultancy firm focused on fostering greater relationships between India and Greece through real estate investment, cultural exchange and collaboration platforms.