iD Fresh Food enters filter coffee decoction segment

Maverick & Farmer, an artisan coffee brand, is setting the standard higher with its third location. Coffee addicts can enjoy their favorite brews at the newest outlet in Bangalore's famous 37 Cunningham Street skyscraper. The third and most recent location of Maverick & Farmer offers customers and coffee enthusiasts a genuinely Maverick experience while continuing to lead the way in experimental beverages.

The 2,000 square foot area, which has both indoor and outdoor seating options, combines comfort and style. It also guarantees a hassle-free visit for every visitor with plenty of parking accessible.

Signature mixes and hand-brewed drinks made using in-house experiments like cold smoking and cherry fermentation are available on the brand's menu. Notable options include the "Spresso Citron," a cool combination of chocolate, zesty orange and frozen espresso; the Parama Cappuccino; Vietnamese Coffee; Coffee Cherry Soda; Cold Smoked Coffee; and the Clarified Cappuccino, which is made with the ideal ratio of milk to espresso and clarified using a food science method. A comprehensive vegan food and drink menu is also available at the cafe.

Stating about their new outlet, Sreeram G. Co-founder of Maverick & Farmer Coffee said, “We are excited to introduce the new space this year! We always aim to create spaces where people can experience artisanal coffee in a way that’s different and exciting. The Cunningham Road location is right in the heart of the city—easy to get to but still tucked away enough to soak in the peace. We’ve also made sure there’s plenty of parking, so guests can visit without any hassle”

Coffee All Day is now open on Brigade Road, Bangalore and they are ready to serve everyone with their bold and unique flavours.

Coffee All Day is a refreshingly straightforward approach on coffee culture that provides premium, ready-to-drink coffee that blends well-known Indian flavors with worldwide standards at affordable pricing.

Coffee All Day offers something for every taste, whether you're in the mood for a traditional espresso, a distinctive Tiramisu Cappuccino, or a cool iced tea. In order to accommodate the hectic lifestyles of urban millennials and Gen Z, the café offers a variety of coffee classics, unique drinks, teas, and easy-to-eat snacks.

The innovative grab-and-go specialty coffee chain in India, powered by technology, abCoffee is thrilled to announce its entry into Hyderabad. abCoffee, which is well-known for its elegant grab-and-go concept and smooth app-driven coffee experience, is prepared to introduce the city's best-grown coffee and beverages at competitive pricing.

Mindspace Hetero, Hyderabad Knowledge City, Mindspace 2A, HiTech City, Malla Reddy University, Mindspace 20, HiTech City, Mindspace 9, HiTech City, and Manikonda (Home Delivery) are the key locations for the brand's seven new decks. In just over two years, abCoffee has expanded to over 70 locations throughout Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Bengaluru, and now Hyderabad, marking its sixth city of presence.

With the abCoffee app, coffee enthusiasts in Hyderabad can take advantage of unique offers and convenient access to their favorite premium brews at a fraction of the price thanks to India's first coffee subscription model.

“We are super excited to bring the love from rest of India to Hyderabad with the same promise of great quality daily coffee at fraction of a cost with smart App capabilities and pioneering grab and go coffee concept,” commented Abhijeet Anand, Founder and CEO of abCoffee.

Ammy's Coffee is thrilled to announce the inauguration of its flagship location in Delhi's busy Punjabi Bagh district.

With its first site, Ammy's Coffee sets out on a community-focused mission to reinvent the coffeehouse experience by fusing high-quality products with a warm, inviting environment that appeals to everyone.

The café's well-planned layout accommodates a variety of demands, including cozy spots for gathering and peaceful workstations with dependable Wi-Fi.

The restaurant menu is designed to appeal to a variety of palates, providing a selection of tasty, fresh options that go well with its coffee offerings.

 “Building a strong team committed to fostering a community-driven atmosphere is at the heart of our mission,” said Amar Preet Singh Managing Director, Ammy’s.

With their new cafe, Siolim Specialty Coffee Roasters enhances Indore's coffee scene and introduces the tranquil spirit of Goa to central India. Inspired by the serene Goan village of Siolim, the café offers a carefully designed menu that combines imaginative cuisine and specialty coffee in a warm setting that honors both traditional and modern coffee culture.

Siolim Specialty Coffee Roasters combines specialty coffee roasting with innovative beverage processing to bring the relaxed atmosphere of Goa to Indore. The company's primary objectives are to acquire outstanding beans and create unique coffee experiences that respect innovation and tradition. From their famous Tiramisu Cortado, which features house-made tiramisu cream, to the inventive Rose Cardamom Latte, which blends special cardamom espresso with homemade rose syrup, the cafe offers an amazing array of coffee experiences.

“At Siolim, we source directly from small, independent farmers to ensure fair compensation and complete transparency in the supply chain. Our mission is not only to bring the best of Indian coffee to the world but to support the communities behind it,” commented Founder, Siolim Specialty Coffee Roasters.

The Godrej Food Trends Report 2024 identifies major trends that will influence the industry in the upcoming year as India's coffee culture continues to change. The report highlights the country's dynamic increase in both coffee consumption and appreciation, particularly with International Coffee Day approaching. For many Indians, drinking coffee has evolved from a daily habit to a refined lifestyle choice. In 2024, the Indian coffee market is expected to undergo significant changes, including the emergence of artisanal brews and an increased emphasis on the origin of coffee beans.

In partnership with more than 190 chefs, food experts, and industry thought leaders, Godrej Vikhroli Cucina curated the Godrej Food Trends Report 2024, which delves into these changing preferences and offers insightful information on the new coffee trends that are anticipated to take the market by storm in the upcoming year. Indian customers are eager to discover coffee's rich diversity while embracing regional customs and international innovations as the beverage's popularity grows.

Key Coffee Trends for 2024:

1. Convenient Gourmet & Specialty Coffee Options: With a predicted increase in gourmet and specialty coffee alternatives by 80.8% of GFTR experts, it will be easier than ever to enjoy high-quality brews at your convenience. Coffee lovers who are searching for flavorful, rich experiences even in the middle of their hectic schedules will be pleased with this trend.
2. Educational & Experiential Coffee Workshops: “The future of coffee is bright, fueled by a growing demand for convenient gourmet options and a thirst for knowledge. I firmly believe that educational and experiential workshops will be a key factor in attracting and engaging coffee enthusiasts. These workshops offer a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of coffee, learning about different brewing techniques, tasting profiles, and the rich history behind this beloved beverage. To celebrate International Coffee Day, I’m excited to announce a collaborative coffee workshop with Godrej Vikhroli Cucina and Godrej L’affaire,” says Vineet Jain, Co-founder of Bombay Island Coffee.
3. Provenance-Focused Coffee: The provenance of coffee beans is becoming more and more significant. Provenance-focused coffee is predicted to become more and more popular, according to 73.1% of GFTR experts. Consumers will be looking for beans that are carefully selected, have unique flavor characteristics, and use sustainable growing methods.
4. Premium South Indian Filter Coffee: A resurgence of traditional South Indian filter coffee is taking place. According to 71.2% of GFTR experts, premium and gourmet versions of this traditional brew will become more well-known, bringing its rich, powerful flavors to the coffee industry and giving it an exotic touch. Godrej Yummiez Crispy Potato Stars are the ideal snack to have with filter coffee from South India.
5. Indian-Origin Artisanal Coffee: "As we celebrate International Coffee Day, it’s clear that India’s coffee culture has entered a new era—one where craftsmanship and convenience are equally valued. The trends identified in the Godrej Food Trends Report 2024 reflect the evolving tastes of the modern Indian coffee lover, from their growing desire for artisanal, locally sourced coffee to their enthusiasm for learning more about the brewing process. The future of coffee in India is both exciting and promising, blending tradition with innovation," commented Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal, Managing Director of a Perfect Bite Consulting and Editor of the annual Godrej Food Trends Report.

As International Coffee Day brings the worldwide coffee community together, the Godrej Food Trends Report 2024 offers as a guide to the exciting future of coffee in India. By putting equal emphasis on local customs and worldwide advancements, India's coffee market is poised for rapid change by 2024.

abCoffee, the pioneering tech-enabled grab-and-go coffee chain, has reached a significant milestone with the opening of its 50th store within a span of just two years, establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing player in the industry. 

Based in Mumbai, the innovative coffee company today announced the inauguration of four new outlets, surpassing the coveted 50-store mark.

Driven by a mission to democratize specialty coffee and make it accessible to all, abCoffee has disrupted the market with its simple philosophy that great coffee need not be a luxury.

"Our journey from our inaugural outlet in Versova-Andheri West in June 2022 to now 50 locations has been remarkable. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, love for our guests, and robust technology-enabled backend operations, we are well poised to achieve our target of 150 outlets by March 2025, bringing our exceptional coffee experience to even more people across India," said Narsaya Gajji, VP Operations, abCoffee.

The brand's grab-and-go format, coupled with specialty coffee offerings and advanced backend operations, has facilitated the serving of over 500,000 coffees in a remarkably short timeframe. Committed to quality, abCoffee sources 100% Specialty Coffee beans from India's premier coffee plantations, resulting in an impressive customer loyalty rate of 61% and leading NPS rating in its category.

With the launch of new outlets and a commitment to enhancing the coffee experience, abCoffee continues to set new benchmarks in the Indian coffee industry. Their journey, characterized by rapid expansion and a steadfast dedication to making specialty coffee accessible through technology, is poised for even greater milestones ahead.

Established in 2017 as a Specialty Coffee Roaster in Hyderabad to foster coffee culture and bring coffee lovers together, Roastery Coffee House is expanding its legacy to Finland. 

The brand has become India’s first coffee house to ever expand to the European continent with its entry to the land of Finns, also known for its highest per-capita coffee consumption globally. 

The expansion plans are already in motion and began with a stellar 3-day coffee pop-up event in Helsinki on the 15th, 16th, and 17th of December 2023, held at ISO Roobertinkatu 30. 

The pop-up, which witnessed a robust footfall of around 300 people, unveiled India's finest specialty coffee, "Monsoon Malabar," as the crowd favorite. This overwhelming response highlighted the potential of introducing high-quality Indian coffee to the discerning Finnish market.

“This is more than just coffee; it's about creating an experience, and a journey of flavors. What started as a small venture dream to make specialty coffee accessible in India, Roastery Coffee House is now set to make global waves by creating a name for an Indian brand in Europe. Our decision to expand to Finland stems from a shared passion for premium coffee between the two countries,” shared Nishant Sinha, Founder of Roastery Coffee House.
 
Roastery Coffee House is set on a trajectory of regular pop-ups till March 2024, in tandem with its operational website, setting the stage for the grand inauguration of the Roastery Coffee House Cafe in Helsinki. They are committed to offering a sustainable, zero-waste ethos and provide customers with a diverse array of Indian coffee from estates like Thogarihunkal estate, Baarbara estate, and Tribo estate.

This move is not just about offering a café experience; it’s about orchestrating a cross-cultural coffee journey. As the rich, intense flavors of Indian Arabica coffee intermingle with the refined Finnish palate, patrons can also explore a curated selection of Indian artifacts and the exquisite pashmina stoles from Kashmir on the brand's official Finnish website.
 
Roastery Coffee House has a strong presence in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Noida, Lucknow, and Jaipur. 

Pret A Manger is renowned for its freshly prepared meals and organic coffee, has revealed its recent expansion into Delhi NCR.

Following the launch of its initial store at Select Citywalk in Saket, they've inaugurated outlets in Punjabi Bagh Club Road, M3M Sector 66 Gurugram, Aerocity, and Cyber Hub.

Pret a Manger is known for selecting each location with care, aiming to provide a unique and pleasant coffee experience for enthusiasts.

They offer a variety of thoughtfully crafted coffee blends, from rich lattes to intense espressos.

Their menu includes a range of options like baguette sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, and beverages.
 

As a salute to 52 years of coffee heritage and toast to the future, TATA Starbucks proudly welcomes back the timeless classic – Anniversary Blend.

As coffee has transitioned from a humble morning ritual to a canvas for personal expression, a social experience, and a cultural statement, this treasured blend offers coffee connoisseurs a cup of coffee that is both divine and meaningful.

Introduced first in 1996 to commemorate the company's 25th anniversary, the Anniversary Blend swiftly became a seasonal favorite. This year's celebration presents a reimagined blend, meticulously aged for five years, underscoring the brand's commitment to continually enhance the coffee experience for consumers across the country.

Distinguished by its pronounced flavours, full-bodied character, and unmistakable boldness, the Anniversary Blend 2023 is a symphony of ethically sourced beans exclusively from Indonesia – a region that has inspired Starbucks since its inception in 1971. The blend’s unique composition draws from the coffee-growing regions of Sumatra, West Java, and Sulawesi, resulting in a remarkable cup of Starbucks’ boldest blend. Infused with spicy undertones, fragrant notes of smoked cedar, and allspice, complemented by subtle accents of black truffle and fresh tarragon, this dark-roasted masterpiece delivers an intense, earthy richness that truly defines exceptional coffee.

The packaging of the Anniversary Blend encapsulates the nurturing spirit of the siren – a symbol synonymous with Starbucks – radiating a warm, welcoming, and confident vibe.

“The Anniversary Blend is our homage to Starbucks' rich coffee heritage. Crafted with the finest ethically sourced Indonesian coffee and aged to perfection for five years, this blend showcases our steadfast commitment to innovation, offering a timeless taste. As Starbucks commemorates its 52nd year, we find immense joy in extending this extraordinary coffee experience to coffee aficionados nationwide. Coffee is no longer just a beverage; it's an integral facet of our lives, a culture that binds us and the Anniversary Blend is here to further enrich this very culture,” shared Sushant Dash, CEO, Tata Starbucks.

The limited-edition Starbucks® Anniversary blend is available in 250 grams or customers can choose any of their favorite beverages with the anniversary blend as their espresso of choice across Starbucks stores in India, or via various delivery platforms.

Starbucks currently operates 347 stores in India across 47 cities and are operated by the joint venture, TATA Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - A TATA Alliance. 

Tim Hortons India, the iconic Canadian coffee chain is elated to celebrate its first birthday across the Indian region. 

To celebrate this milestone occasion, Tim Hortons announced an exclusive offer which will allow their customers to indulge in their favourite signature beverages and melts at ₹199. 

The brand launched its flagship outlet in Delhi last year. Since then, it has rapidly expanded to 17 outlets in marking its remarkable journey in the Indian market. 

"It's a moment of immense pride and joy for us as we complete our first year in India. We’re overwhelmed by the warmth and enthusiasm with which Indian customers have embraced Tim Hortons," said Tarun Jain, CEO, Tim Hortons India by adding that the journey has been incredible in the last one year.

Currently Tim Hortons operates in Delhi NCR, Punjab, and Mumbai, and is soon expanding its presence to Bangalore.

On August 10th, 2023, all small beverages on the Tim Hortons menu will be available for just ₹199. Additionally, on August 11th, 2023, customers will be able to pamper their taste buds with both small beverages and signature cheesy melts for only ₹199. “

Tim Hortons has more than 5,600 restaurants around the world with 17 stores across 5 cities in India. 
 
 

International flavor giant, MONIN, is all set to host the MONIN Coffee Creativity Cup (MCCC) —a competition to find the most innovative, progressive, and creative coffee mocktail designed by industry professionals.

The competition begins from July 19^th in Delhi and will move to Mumbai and Bengaluru for the other two regionals on July 27, and August 1 respectively.

For the first round, 10-15 participants at each regional will compete to create an innovative espresso-based mocktail that enhances and appeals to all five senses — sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. Each contestant will then be marked on how well they incorporate the experience of the five senses in their drink.

A total of 10 contestants from all three regionals will move forward to the Finale, which will take place on August 3 in Bengaluru. The winner will then represent India at the Global Finals in Malaysia and get an all-expenses paid trip to Malaysia.

The jury will consist of Coffee Trainers, Influencers in the Coffee Industry, Barista Champions, and key people from the F&B Industry. The regionals will have 3 jury members for each city while the National final will have 4 jury members.

“We are very excited to bring together the coffee community in India and give them a chance to represent India on a global platform. It is a way for MONIN to support the growth and development of the current generation of coffee professionals and baristas and acknowledge the growth of the coffee channel in India & the Asia-Pacific region,” shared Germain Araud, Managing Director, MONIN India.

A premium French brand created in 1912, MONIN is an innovative flavor solutions creator and a trusted partner for hospitality professionals across the world.

TH International Limited, the exclusive operator of Tim Hortons coffee shops and Popeyes restaurants in China, has opened its 700th coffee shop and expanded into China’s Northwest as part of its broader growth plans.

The 700th store is the first in the northwest city of Yinchuan and spearheads Tims’ continuing geographic expansion across China. 

“Our development team did an amazing job with our 700th store in Yinchuan. We designed this location to capture the unique culture and contrasts of this special part of China, and we hope both local guests and tourists feel that when they visit us. We look forward to opening more stores in the region as we continue to expand,” shared Yongchen Lu, CEO of Tims China.

The Yinchuan store is one of dozens of franchised stores that Tims China is opening in June and July, a key part of the company’s disciplined growth strategy to expand its geographic reach to over 1,000 locations by the end of 2023. Franchising allows Tims to develop stores at attractive locations, with great local partners, and with greater capital efficiency. 

Tims plans to open more stores in other underpenetrated cities in the coming months to support its growth, demonstrated by its 16%+ monthly same-store sales growth from February through May of this year.

Canada's iconic coffee brand Tim Hortons® is opening its store in Mumbai.

The newly launched coffee shops will be in two city hotspots - Bandra West, Linking Road and Andheri, Lokhandwala.  

Mumbaikars will be able to enjoy the signature Tim Hortons coffee from 5PM onwards on 27^th May at Supreme Headquarters, Off Linking Road, Bandra West.

The Andheri Lokhandwala outlet opens the next day on 28^th May from 11AM at Samarth Siddhi Apartments.

“We’re thrilled to expand our brand footprint in Mumbai. After a resounding customer response in North, we intend to create the same love & warmth for our guests in Mumbai. Bringing the brand experience to Mumbai is part of our commitment to expanding Tim Hortons to other regions while penetrating deeper in our chosen geographies,” shared Tarun Jain, CEO of Tim Hortons franchise in India.

Starting tomorrow, guests can enjoy 100% premium Arabica coffee and get a taste of Tim Hortons iconic beverages like the creamy and rich French Vanilla, and the signature Iced Capp™ blended frozen coffee, along with made-to-order food, and baked goods like delicious bite-sized morsels called Timbits and hand-decorated donuts.

Guests can also indulge on classic favourites like the Five Cheese Melts as well as on a local selection of popular Mumbai snacks like the Baida Roti Cigar Rolls and Pinwheel Samosas.

Restaurant’s cosy interiors are inspired by Canadian nature with touches of Mumbai like the art deco architecture, Warli art and Paithani designs.

“It’s brilliant to see how enthusiastically India has welcomed Tim Hortons, and we’re particularly excited about bringing our premium coffee and delicious food into new regions in India,” added David Shear, President – International, Restaurant Brands International.

Tim Hortons entered the Indian market on August 2022 in Delhi. With the addition of two more restaurants in Mumbai, they now have 15 restaurants across 7 cities in India.

“This milestone is a significant step towards our long-term potential to grow the brand in India, increase market share and strengthen our position as the leading retailer of Tim Hortons,” said Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO of Apparel Group by adding that the brand is committed to continuously evolving and curating their offerings and adapting to the region’s preferences and culture.

UK-based freshly made food and organic coffee chain Pret A Manger has opened its first shop in the country.

Pret A Manger that announced its partnership with Reliance Brands Limited last year has opened its door for customers from today at Maker Maxity, Mumbai, and it will be the first of many shops set to open later this year.

The outlet is a recreation of Pret’s iconic London shops with a large dining space spread across 2,567 sq ft.

“We are thrilled to be opening the first Pret A Manger shop in India. Freshness of ingredients, authenticity of recipes, and a curiosity in processes defines the new Indian consumer. Our partnership with Pret A Manger aims to tap into this curiosity with an offering that we can proudly say - ensures traceability of coffee beans as much as a zero additive approach to food,” said Darshan Mehta, MD, Reliance Brands Limited.

The new Pret shop will offer customers a wide range of delicious and freshly made sandwiches, baguettes, salads, soups, as well as a variety of organic coffee, tea, shakes and smoothie options. Popular options like the Pret Pickle and Posh Cheddar Granary Sandwich, Avocado and Toms- Stone Baked Baguette, Smoked Salmon Protein Box Salad and a selection of freshly baked goods including Pret’s best-selling croissants and cookies constitute the food menu and will bring to India Pret’s classics without any additives to products. All freshly made food will be hand prepared in Pret’s onsite kitchen daily and never held over to the next day.

“With a commitment to provide fresh, clean and sustainable offerings, customers in India can now enjoy the same exceptional food that has made Pret A Manger a beloved and successful chain around the world,” Mehta added.

Known for their 100% organic Arabica coffee, Pret’s drinks menu offers a range of brews, including the classic Espresso. Some of the popular freshly brewed hot coffee options include the classic Espresso, Americano and Latte, along with a range of iced coffee options which are perfect for hot summer days. Additionally, customers can choose from a variety of non-dairy milk options such as almond, oat, and coconut to customize their coffee order at no extra cost.

“We have been working closely with the RBL team to create an offer for Indian consumers that reflects the Pret brand, while also adapting to local preferences and food habits. Coming to India has been a goal of ours for a long time, and the opening of our first shop in Mumbai is a landmark moment in our international expansion plans. We’re confident that with the support of RBL, the Pret brand will be a hit with consumers in India, and a welcome addition to the country’s growing food-to-go market,” mentioned Pano Christou, CEO, Pret A Manger.

In addition to the freshest menu offerings, the Pret shop will feature an adaptation of the Emanating Star, a central element of the Pret logo, with traditional Warli patterns and modern design elements representing Mumbai. Reflecting Pret’s commitment to support local craftsmanship, the artwork is conceptualized and created by Guerrilla Art and the Vayeda brothers using coffee as the base - symbolic of the fresh organic coffee served at Pret around the world commemorating the fusion of cultures by combining traditional Indian art with modern-day Pret aesthetics.

Tata Starbucks Private Limited today celebrated the opening of its 338 store in India with a new store location in Uttar Pradesh, Agra – its first location in the historic city.

Delivering the iconic Third Place experience to customers, the opening marks Tata Starbucks 42nd city entry, third in Uttar Pradesh, after Lucknow and Kanpur.

The store will give residents and tourists from across the globe a new spot to enjoy connecting with their loved ones or collaborate for work over their favorite Starbucks beverages.

“We’ve had an incredible journey in India so far; this year we crossed the 40th city milestone, bringing our presence to 338 stores across the country. After having successfully opened our doors to customers in Lucknow and Kanpur, we are delighted and honored to bring Starbucks to Agra, a city so culturally rich and vibrant”, said Sushant Dash, CEO, Tata Starbucks Pvt. Ltd.

The new store in Agra has been designed to reflect the rich historical architecture of the city, while presenting a deep passion for coffee. Inspired by delicate detailing and ornamentation, the store features rounded arches and modern decorative elements on both floors.

Customers are greeted at the door by a Starbucks craft bar and a double-height arch that showcases a custom tapestry designed in collaboration with a local artist Hemakshi Devi. The tapestry, which was handcrafted by a team of local artisans, commemorates traditional embroidery crafts such as Dhurrie and Zardozi.

Starbucks merchandise and free Wi-Fi is also available in the store. In addition, the company will bring the Starbucks Rewards™ loyalty program to the city, which provides members with rewards and personalized benefits as they make Starbucks a part of their daily lives. Tata Starbucks has also introduced contactless order and payment methods, such as Mobile Order and Pay through the Starbucks India mobile application, for customers to indulge in a safe, familiar and convenient Starbucks Experience at the comfort of their home.

The capital markets regulator Sebi fined Coffee Day Enterprises which owns Cafe Coffee Day, Rs 26 crore on Tuesday for diverting money from subsidiaries to a business connected to the owners.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) issued an order directing the corporation to pay the fine within 45 days.

Additionally, Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd has been instructed by Sebi to take all necessary actions to recover the full amount owed to Mysore Amalgamated Coffee Estates Ltd (MACEL) and its affiliated organisations, as well as the interest that is owed to the subsidiaries.

Further, the business must choose an impartial law firm in consultation with the NSE to take efficient action to recover the unpaid debts.

According to its 43-page judgement, Sebi discovered the misappropriation of monies of Rs 3,535 crore from 7 subsidiaries of Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd (CDEL) to Mysore Amalgamated Coffee Estates Ltd, a company connected to CDEL's owners.

Coffee Day Global, Tanglin Retail Reality Developments, Giri Vidhyuth (India) Ltd, Coffee Day Hotels and Resorts, Coffee Day Trading, and Coffee Day Econ are the seven subsidiaries.

The funds that were moved from the seven subsidiaries to MACEL ended up in the personal accounts of VGS (VG Siddhartha), his family, and other businesses, according to Sebi.

VG Siddhartha, the chairman of the Coffee Day Group, committed suicide in July 2019. According to reports, he wrote a suicide letter for the board of directors and the Coffee Day family in which he confessed to being in serious debt.

As per the court's order, the VGS family owns 91.75 percent of MACEL. Additionally, CDEL is supported by VGS' family.

The regulator highlighted that the subsidiaries have only been able to recover a pitiful amount of Rs 110.75 crore to September 30, 2022, out of the total dues of Rs 3,535 crore as of July 31, 2019.

In light of the diversion, Sebi levied fines of Rs 25 crore for violations of unfair and deceptive business practises and Rs 1 crore for violations of the LODR (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) regulations.

Despite not being named parties to the current proceedings, the directors and key management staff (past and present) of CDEL and its subsidiaries must be thoroughly investigated, according to Sebi.

The board of CDEL hired Ashok Kumar Malhotra, a retired DIG of the Central Bureau of Investigation, and Agastya Legal LLP in September 2019 to look into the company's books of finances and its subsidiaries after Siddhartha passed away.

In order to determine whether funds were moved to affiliated firms, which may have resulted in a probable violation of regulatory standards, Sebi has also launched an independent investigation into the subject.

Craft Coffee has opened a new outlet at Salt Lake, Kolkata.

The urge to congregate over a cup of coffee at a café still continues as they have become the present-day brewing point for cultural dialogues and exchanges. Salt Lake always longed for a cafe that attracts coffee aficionados, university students and weekday workers with laptops while families can cherish their breakfasts and an all-day coffee and food paired menu.

Craft Coffee feels the need to build an intimate and incomparable multisensory experience serving signature fusion coffee handcrafted drinks paired with continental food and freshly baked treats from their in-house bakery & confectionery.

The new outlet in Salt Lake, Kolkata, has the main bar that offers regular and signature beverages, the manual brewing bar at the terrace offers an experience where guests can chat with the baristas understanding the nuances of coffee roasting and manual brewing methods like siphon, pour-over, Turkish, french press, etc. to name a few.

“With the hub and spoke model to spread the Indian origin coffee culture we have also opened a 40 seater boutique cafe in City Centre 1 mall with a live kitchen and have plans to open several others across Kolkata and India in the coming future days,” shared Abhinav Kumar, Co - Founder of Craft Coffee Kolkata (Ballygunge and Salt lake Outlet).

The space has Ikat patterns, handcrafted lights made by local artisans, handcrafted crockery sourced from Khurja, and lush green zones created in the courtyard and terrace. The architecture also has inspirations from a heritage point of view but with an eccentric twist in its contemporary color palette.

The center also has a gourmet store where trained baristas help guests pick up freshly roasted single estate coffee beans suiting, their palate and ground to their requirements, bakery products, and home brewing equipment, along with a coffee-based organic skincare range. Continuing with the hub and spoke model to spread the Indian-origin coffee culture, Craft Coffee has also opened a 40-seater boutique cafe in City Centre 1 mall with a live kitchen.

Besides their commitment to serve freshly roasted coffee from their own inhouse roasting unit with the launch of the Salt Lake experience center, they also aim to bring another element of handcrafted vegan fusion chocolate and coffee pairing through another initiative called “Criollo”.

Rage Coffee, a Delhi-based caffeine innovation FMCG company that manufactures, markets, and distributes innovative packaged caffeine related products, has announced the launch of three exciting new snacks – Coffee Peanut Bars, Caffeine Almond Bars, and Chocolate Oats Cookies.

These munchables provide consumers with apt options in the healthy snacking category as all of them are gluten-free and crafted with natural premium ingredients and contain no preservatives or colorants.

These snacks are very handy and have been created for the fitness age where they can be consumed on-the-go. Rage Coffee will continue to be on the march within the healthy snacking market and introduce a diverse range of snacks.

“Rage Coffee’s core identity has always been to be recognized as a consumer feedback driven caffeine innovation brand. With the introduction of these three super healthy snacks, we are entering the snacking category with the promise of providing the absolute best to millions of our consumers, who are called as Ragers. We have received an overwhelming response to all our products till now, and we hope to keep creating a revolutionary rack of snacks that are purpose-built for health-conscious consumers,” shared Bharat Sethi, Founder and CEO of Rage Coffee.

Rage Coffee is India’s first 100% plant-powered coffee infused with 6 plant vitamins. Made using 100% Arabica beans sourced from some of India’s most renowned plantations, Rage Coffee is the tastiest way to seize the day and comes in 9 exciting flavors. One of the fastest growing FMCG brands in India, the company is backed by ace Indian cricketer Virat Kohli.

A destination for fine immersive experiences in the world of lifestsyle dining, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru re-launches the Bengaluru Baking Company bringing green cuisine, crafted fusion cocktails and retail merchandise.

BBC breaks the traditional boundaries of a patisserie delicatessen and presents an evolved concept that opens as a casual, convivial café through the day, transforming its personality into a peppy resto lounge as the evening progresses.

BBC prides itself in embracing techniques that are an amalgamation of traditional and modern culinary styles, which also provides a ‘trompe-l’oeil’ illusion that is pleasing to the eyes.

A well-thought out menu curated by Pastry Chef Gautam Dublay along with his culinary team, includes a wide selection of plant forward creations for breakfast, smoothie bowls, artisanal breads, all-day classics and pastry displays ranging from Gateaux, Entremets, Verrines to Pralines including their signature Chikmagalur Estate Opera cake. 

“The Bengaluru Baking Co is not just another coffee shop but so much more. The aesthetics of the place has been planned to stimulate conversations around old-Bengaluru art, food, nature, while offering people the best and the latest from the world of baking and gourmet food. We want people to come and discover new things everyday as we experiment with flavours, ingredients and styles,” shared Hotel Manager, Gaurav Sinha.

The expansive space covers an indoor as well as an alfresco seating area where pet parents can bring their precious canine companions. The specially selected artwork that adorns the space evokes a certain old-world charm that is reminiscent of old Bangalore, interspersed with a photomontage by Bengalurean artist and cartoonist Paul Fernandes.

Online coffee brand Sleepy Owl has launched Cold Coffee Cans, thereby expanding its product offering and widening its accessibility as a brand.

Launched in 3 Flavours of Cold Coffee served in a can, through this product, the brand aims to close the gap between convenience and experience for those looking for a premium yet affordable Cold Coffee option, which has been one of the key USPs of the brand and reflects across all its product offerings.

“We have been looking forward to our Cold Coffee for a long time now and we’re really pleased to finally launch our three premium delicious flavors for all our coffee and cold coffee lovers. Like our previous launch of the Premium Instant Coffee, the thought behind our Cold Coffee too is to bridge the gap between convenience and experience and offer a “Real Good On-The-Go Cold Coffee”. You’ve had it, but nothing like this before,” shared Ajai Thandi, Co-Founder, Sleepy Owl Coffee.

With this product, the brand is also foraying into retail in newer cities such as Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Jaipur, to name a few.

Sleepy Owl's Cold Coffee is made with its signature Premium Instant Coffee & Real Milk and is available in three delicious flavours - Classic, Salted Caramel and Hazelnut. These contain no artificial flavours or preservatives.

The Cold Coffee has been thoughtfully packaged in an aluminium can, made of infinitely recyclable material, making it a sustainable offering, just like Sleepy Owl’s other products.

“Furthermore, with summers already here, we saw no opportunity better than this to offer our audience a chilled refreshing energizer that’s so rich in comparison, not only in terms of flavor but also texture and color. It is without a doubt a great product for consumers who prefer traditional, indulgent Cold Coffee with a rich milky texture” added Ashwajeet Singh, Co-Founder, Sleepy Owl Coffee.

This ultimate creamy & bold Cold Coffee offers an energy count of 136 kcal. It is priced at Rs 125/- for each 200 ml can and will be available for purchase on Sleepy Owl’s official website, and across all major quick commerce platforms such as BlinkIt and Swiggy Instamart. It will also be retailed offline via 24 Seven, Modern Bazaar, and Nature’s Basket, to name a few.

Delhi-based Rage Coffee has onboarded Virat Kohli as an investor and brand ambassador.

This association between the adored Indian cricketer with one of the fastest growing and trailblazing FMCG brands would entrench Rage Coffee as a fan favorite in the market and create a pathway for customer acquisition.

Previously Rage Coffee had raised $5 million of growth capital as part of its Series A funding round led by Sixth Sense Ventures in Aug 2021.

“Virat Kohli has set some unrivaled records in the top echelon of world cricket and is rightly known as the best batsman in the world. Apart from being a world-class athlete, Virat is also a fitness enthusiast who is committed to an attitude that fosters a healthy lifestyle and it seamlessly aligns with the ethos that Rage Coffee promotes,” shared Bharat Sethi, Founder and CEO of Rage Coffee.

The brand has swiftly scaled up to new territories since its inception in 2018 – selling extensively online and expanding the offline network to 35 distributors, 4 CFAs, 5 super stockists, covering 2500+ offline touchpoints across India.

“I’ve been using Rage Coffee products for some time, and, I am excited to be a part of its growth journey. The team at Rage Coffee has shown high levels of business execution and stupendous growth over the last couple of years. Rage Coffee has developed some trailblazing products that conforms with my innovative approach and aligns with my lifestyle,” added Virat Kohli.

The brand is planning to expand its online presence and offline footprint Pan-India and will utilize the fresh capital for marketing and distribution purposes.

Rage Coffee will also use the funds to scale production, launch innovative new products and add senior management talent.

Starbucks announces leadership transition; CEO Kevin Johnson to retire after 13 years

Starbucks Corporation has that Kevin Johnson, president and chief executive officer, intends to retire after a 13-year tenure at the company, including the last five years as CEO.

Johnson will transition from his current role on April 4, 2022, and will continue to serve as a Starbucks partner (employee) and special consultant to the company and Board of Directors through September.

The Starbucks Board of Directors has been engaged in continuous CEO succession planning, assisted by Russell Reynolds Associates since 2021, and anticipates selecting a new leader by the Fall.

To ensure seamless stewardship of the company until a permanent successor is named, the Board has appointed Howard Schultz as interim chief executive officer, effective April 4, 2022. Schultz will also rejoin the company’s Board of Directors.

“On behalf of the entire Board, I want to express our sincerest thanks to Kevin for his leadership of Starbucks. Kevin and the entire executive team stepped up to the challenge of the pandemic and navigated one of the most difficult periods in modern history. The economic certainty provided to partners during the early months of the COVID shut down, as well as during mandatory quarantines, underscores our core values and will be an enduring legacy for the company. During Kevin’s tenure, Starbucks scaled an industry leading digital offering spanning nearly 45 million Starbucks Rewards members in the U.S. and China,” said Mellody Hobson, Independent Starbucks Board of Directors chair. 

Johnson, who has served on the Starbucks Board of Directors since 2009, joined the Starbucks leadership team in 2015 as president and chief operating officer. In 2017, Johnson was named president and chief executive officer, succeeding founder Schultz. 

“A year ago, I signaled to the Board that as the global pandemic neared an end, I would be considering retirement from Starbucks. I feel this is a natural bookend to my 13 years with the company,” added Johnson.

Schultz is volunteering his time as interim ceo to Starbucks and will receive $1 of compensation. 

IDAM House of Brands, a conglomerate of various Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands, has acquired another Food and Beverage Brand, Bevzilla, the curator of India’s first Instant Coffee Cubes.

Being 100% vegan, their cubes are an innovation in the beverage industry.

IDAM House of Brands has picked up 40% stake in Bevzilla with a route to the majority in Bevzilla.

“Bevzilla has had remarkable growth in the last year. We’re excited about this venture and wish to collectively enhance their visibility in the global market. Bevzilla has carved a niche in the beverage industry and attained expertise, making it a potential brand for acquisition. We’re delighted to be working together and hope to achieve the 100 Cr. ARR target in the coming two years,” shared Aakash Anand and Saahil Nayar Founders of IDAM House of Brands.

Bevzilla was founded in September 2020 by its co-founders Divisha Chaudhry and Anurag Chhabra as an alternative to unhealthier options, Bevzilla made India’s first Instant Coffee Cubes that not only cut time but made a cup of coffee healthy and tasty by using organic date palm jaggery.

“While looking for instant and healthier options for a cup of coffee, we came up with an idea of Bevzilla. As people are leaning towards a healthier lifestyle that is also easy to make and less time-consuming, we find our product, Instant Coffee Cubes, to be the perfect solution. With IDAM, the company looks forward to expanding and reaching a market, both nationally and internationally where the product receives the recognition it deserves,” added the Co-founders at Bevzilla.

IDAM targets to initially invest an amount of $1Million towards Bevzilla’s new product development, marketing, and team building.

Starbucks is entering the energy category for the first time with the introduction of Starbucks BAYATM Energy, a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage.

The beverage is crafted from caffeine naturally found in coffee fruit as well as antioxidant vitamin C for immune support to give consumers a boost of feel-good energy.

The beverages were developed through the North American Coffee Partnership (NACP), a joint venture between Starbucks and PepsiCo to create RTD coffee and energy products.

“We’re thrilled to introduce Starbucks BAYA Energy to our customers, providing them with a refreshing, fruit-flavored boost of feel-good energy, in a way only Starbucks can deliver,” said Chanda Beppu, VP- Channel Development Americas at Starbucks by adding that over the years they have continued to identify new and exciting ways to expand their ready-to-drink portfolio.

Starbucks BAYA Energy is available in three delicious fruit flavors – Mango Guava, Raspberry Lime and Pineapple Passionfruit – and contains 90 calories and 160 mg of caffeine per 12 oz. can.

Consumers can now find Starbucks BAYA Energy nationwide in grocery stores, national retailers, convenience stores and gas stations as well as online where groceries are sold for a suggested retail price of $2.89.

Beginning March 1, customers can also find Starbucks BAYA Energy at Starbucks stores in the U.S.

According to Mintel, energy drinks are on the rise as a great tasting, convenient and quick source of energy, and the consumer need for energy has only increased during the pandemic. With total energy drink sales up 9.2% in 2020, an increase of 37.4% from 2015, energy drinks are one of the strongest performing and consistent categories in the wider non-alcoholic beverage industry, largely due to consumer desire for functional ingredients.

“Starbucks has been a leader in the ready-to-drink coffee category since 1994 and we continue to focus on beverage innovation with the highest quality coffee and ingredients,” added Beppu.

Instant coffee brand Sleepy Owl has announced the launch of its premium instant coffee, thereby expanding its product portfolio and widening its accessibility as a brand.

Through this product, the brand aims to close the gap between convenience and experience, which has been one of the key USPs of the brand and reflects across all its product offerings.

“The concept of “Instant Coffee” in India is not merely a function of simplified process and time. It is also a way of socializing and indulging in cultural experiences. And this is where we come in, had it only been about convenience or functionality- there are established players in the market that are already catering to that. But if we are talking about “Experience”, we want people to know what a “Real Good Instant Coffee” tastes like,” shared Ashwajeet Singh, Co-founder, Sleepy Owl Coffee.

Sleepy Owl's Premium Instant Coffee is made with its signature 100% Arabica beans, and uses Microground Technology, which consists of 95% soluble coffee crystals and 5% freshly roasted high-quality beans.

It is available in three delicious flavours - Original, French Vanilla and Hazelnut and these contain no artificial flavours or preservatives.

The coffee has been thoughtfully packaged in a multi-serve tin, made of infinitely recyclable material, making it a 100% sustainable offering, just like Sleepy Owl’s other products.

Ready-to-drink coffee space Sleepy Owl has raised growth capital of $6.5 million in Series A funding.

The latest round was led by existing investor Rukam Capital, followed by existing investor DSG Consumer Partners with Dexter Capital being the exclusive financial advisor on this deal.

“The pandemic played the role of a catapult for us. It forced us to take a few steps back to aim at the target. We were agile and quick on problem-solving, and were able to get back on track with higher numbers,” shared Ajai Thandi, Co-Founder, Sleepy Own by adding that they plan to utilize the funds to go deeper into their existing retail markets across India.

The pandemic put a spoke in their growth plans, however, the team led by its co-founders, navigated the covid crisis and managed to come out stronger. The company is slated to close with an ARR of INR 60 cr by March 2022.

Sleepy Owl aims to solidify their core team, build a robust distribution network across India for increased demand of their brews, and firm up its marketing initiatives.

Rukam Capital invests in early-stage consumer products and services companies that have exceptional growth prospects and exhibit the potential for substantial returns.

“We are thrilled to have partnered with Sleepy Owl Coffee and DSG Consumer Partners to further strengthen the brand’s pan-India presence. The company has demonstrated a strong growth pattern since its launch in 2016, despite the pandemic,” added Archana Jahagirdar, Managing Partner, Rukam Capital.

Founded in 2016, Sleepy Owl has a compelling product portfolio which includes Cold Brew Packs, Hot Brew Bags, Ready-To-Drink Cold Brew Bottles, Ground Coffee, Brew Box and a range of Merchandise.

Co-founded by Ajai Thandi, Arman Sood, and Ashwajeet Singh, the brand has a presence in 1700+ outlets in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, and Jammu amongst other cities, and has catered to over 60,000 customers. Their products are also available on the company’s website, Amazon India and BigBasket.

Rage Coffee has launched ‘Liquid Coffee’ to make it even more convenient for coffee lover during the festive season.

The Delhi-based FMCG company that manufactures, markets, and distributes innovative packaged coffee products, has brought this first of its kind product to solve your coffee cravings conveniently, quickly, and easily.

“We’ve surely been on a launch spree of late. Some months after the successful launch of our Cold Brew bags and Ground Coffee, we are now adding another product in our range of offerings. The ‘Liquid Coffee’ is made of 100% pure arabica beans and has no bitterness with silky smooth taste and richness,” said Bharat Sethi, Founder and CEO of Rage Coffee who is also making deliberate efforts to work and manufacture environmentally sustainable products.

‘Liquid Coffee’ is made ingeniously around complex flavors like - Filter Coffee, French Vanilla, Irish Hazelnut, Dark Chocolate, Creme Caramel. Like most Rage products, the newly released ‘Liquid Coffee’ is hygienically processed with triple filtered purified water and natural flavours.

The 200ml bottle is packed with the goodness of 100% pure arabica beans and can be used to make 15 servings of flavorful coffee cups. The Original and Filter coffee variants are priced at INR 349, the other flavors are priced at INR 399.

All Rage coffee products are gluten-free with no added sugar and are also vegan-friendly. The ingredients are 100% natural and have no traces of any artificial additives. The products are also US FDA, FSSAI, GMP, ISO certified.

Bangalore-based coffee brand Hatti Kaapi has raised Rs100 million (Rs.10 crores) in a 'Pre A series' round funding led by BlueWolf Capital, Investribe, Kochi Holdings and CreedCap Asia.

“F&B' industry is one of the worst affected sectors because of the ongoing pandemic. Being one of the top performers in our segment also has to bear the brunt of COVID forced shutdowns. Thus, this fresh round of capital infusion through fundraising makes it more special,” shared U S Mahendar, Chairman and Managing Director.

The capital raised will be primarily used to expand the brand's retail and cloud footprint to 200+ stores from the existing 115 outlets.

The fund will also be used to scale up its ready-to-use product portfolio under the 'Six Seconds' line of products on both online and offline channels.

The brand also launched contactless kiosks, which cater to the requirement of the present day. During this period,  they also launched new line of ready-to-use products. It includes Six Seconds-ready-to-use Filter Coffee Decoction for brewing filter coffee instantly, immunity booster drinks like Kashaya (spices mix) and Golden Latte (Turmeric mix) and Ooru (coffee powder brand for the mass market).

Commenting on the funding, Sekhar from Investribe added, "In the course of this decade, authentic & regional brands will need to offer multi-products via an omni-channel strategy to be able to own every stage of the customer experience. As early backers in 2017, we have seen the company grow its stores by 14x and believe this is the right team to scale deeper into tier-2 and 3 India. We have also seen them master product standardization due to adoption of modern packaging and food technology."

Despite the various challenges, the homegrown brand has successfully stuck to its ground and has grown exponentially over the last decade. Started in Bangalore in 2009 by Mahendar and Gowda, the company has slowly evolved as one of India's fastest-growing authentic coffee chains, with an enviable portfolio of multi-format cafes and coffee decoction and powder in the FMCG segment. Currently, the brand is present across nine cities with 115 outlets.

Coffee chain Starbucks is safely reintroducing personal reusable cups across company operated stores in the U.S.

As part of Starbucks ongoing commitment to prioritizing partner and customer safety, the company developed a completely contactless, new method – eliminating any shared touch points between the customer and Starbucks partners (baristas).

Bringing back personal reusable cups is a key part of Starbucks ongoing commitment to reduce single-use cup waste and goal to reduce waste by 50% by 2030.

At Starbucks, pre-COVID 80% of beverages are enjoyed on the go. To encourage customers to choose reusable and reduce single-use cup waste, Starbucks will continue offering customers a $.10 discount on their beverage of choice.

The company held extensive trials and has adopted this new process, using a ceramic mug to transport the reusable cup through the bar, in EMEA and Asia Pacific to reintroduce reusable cups with confidence.

Only clean cups will be accepted; Starbucks partners will not be able to clean them for customers. In addition, the company is currently testing safe options for allowing personal reusable cups via the drive thru, but for now personal reusable cups will only be accepted in stores starting June 22.

Earlier this month, Starbucks EMEA announced they will offer a reusable cup share program in all Europe, Middle East and Africa stores by 2025. In July, Starbucks South Korea will launch Borrow a Cup program in stores and recently committed to eliminating single-use cups by 2025.

Since entering the market in 2012, Tata Starbucks has honoured its commitment to grow the representation of women in the workforce and encouraged a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion through various initiatives.

Women make up 31 percent of Tata Starbucks workforce and 30 percent at its senior leadership level, a key gender diversity milestone toward its goal to achieve 40 percent gender diversity by 2022.

“As Tata Starbucks continues to grow, so does its commitment to be a positive force in contributing to the success of its women partners and make meaningful changes that enrich lives,” said Navin Gurnaney, CEO, Tata Starbucks Private Limited. 

As a part of Tata Starbucks ongoing commitment to promote an inclusive and diverse workforce by empowering women leaders, the brand has launched all women operating stores in India. With a total of 5 such women operating stores in Mumbai & New Delhi, by empowering female partners in a new and meaningful way.

By achieving 100% pay parity for men and women in 2019; Starbucks has also created a set of Pay Equity Principles that focus on areas like equal footing, transparency and accountability.

“We believe it is important, as a company of our scale, to help bring more attention to this critical issue for women in India. We aim to ensure women at Starbucks excel in the workplace and personal life as we create richer career opportunities for India,” added Gurnaney.

Tata Starbucks diversity initiatives in India, Brew of Balance has over the years created opportunities for women returning to the workforce from a career break. The company also encourages hiring ‘second-career’ women through the Tata Second Careers, Inspiring Possibilities (SCIP) platform.  To encourage references for such talent internally, Starbucks offers an enhanced bonus for their references.

Apart from female partners, Tata Starbucks also believes in addressing the issue of girl child education. Tata Starbucks has collaborated with non-profit organizations, Educate Girls, to improve girls’ education in rural and underprivileged areas and VIDYA India, to provide volunteering and educational support to girls and young women from underserved communities in urban cities.

Delhi-based D2C coffee brand Rage Coffee has raised undisclosed growth capital from GetVantage, an emerging Revenue-Based Investor for eCommerce. 

With this new funding in place, Rage Coffee is on track to expand distribution through approximately 3,000 outlets nationwide and achieve 5x growth in sales by the end of 2021.

Also Read: Coffee is More than a Trend Now

“Bharat and his team are building an exciting fast-growing direct-to-consumer brand in a sector that is seeing explosive growth. GetVantage was purpose-built to support young, savvy, entrepreneurs like Bharat who are focused on delighting customers with quality and innovation. We’re excited to support Rage as a strategic growth-investor and partner with our frictionless funding model,” shared Bhavik Vasa, Founder, GetVantage.

Founded in 2018 by Bharat Sethi, Rage Coffee’s first product is a proprietary small batch crystallised instant coffee that delivers a delicious and distinctive caffeine kick. 

“Investors like GetVantage are able to predict consumer behaviour because they have a Founders’ mindset. It’s exciting for us to scale our business with the support of like-minded investors and growth partners  like GetVantage,” added Bharat Sethi of Rage Coffee.

May Interest: Malavika Hegde, wife of VG Siddhartha appointed as CEO for Coffee Day Enterprises

According to estimates by Avendus Capital, Direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands could be looking at a $100 billion addressable consumer opportunity in India by 2025.

Through the 90s and the early 2000's, Indians went in for café culture in a big way. Individual brands like Barista and Costa Coffee rose and declined, but cafes as a concept were here to stay as can be seen in the ubiquity of Café Coffee Day and the increasing presence of Starbucks.

While every café worth its espresso also served a smattering of tea, chai was something most Indians preferred to consume at home -made to exacting personal specifications. Or from a tapri by the road near office complexes and highways, with tea serving as a legitimate excuse to take a break, catch up with friends and gossip.

But over the last few years, an increasing number of entrepreneurs are attempting to break coffee's hegemony over the minds, time and wallets of affluent Indians.

Sandeep Kotecha, Director, Ahmedabad-based The Kettlery, said, "The vacuum between 'footpath' teas and those served in five star hotels across Indian cities is finally getting filled."

The Kettlery is hoping Indians will be wooed by the "tea experience": tasting sessions and a ringside view of the brewing process. "No one leaves without getting a pack or two of specialty teas and tea accessories," says the entrepreneur.

Playing to a different script are Chaayos and Chai Point, trying to woo a more middle class audience with a mix of recognisable chai and traditional Indian snacks. The latter boasts of a large retail footprint with stores across Bengaluru, NCR, Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Amuleek Singh Bijral, who runs Chaipoint said that his firm consumes over 6 tons of ginger and three tons of lemons a month for its signature ginger and lemon teas.

He further added, "Our weekend deliveries now equal our weekday deliveries, India runs on chai. "

Raghav Verma, co-founder Chaayos hopes to expand beyond Delhi NCR and Mumbai, to Hyderabad, Pune and Bengaluru.

Gaurav Marya, chairman, Franchise India: "Starbucks acquired Teavana and modified its logo, dropping 'coffee' altogether."

One big challenge is drawing an audience used to consuming CTC or dust tea to leaf teas with interesting flavours, paired with appropriate food. Marya says on an average, Indians spend USD1.7-USD2 per capita on tea compared to USD18 in the UK.

He added, "The major growth drivers will be green and herbal teas which will grow at 10 percent-15 percent annually over the next few years. The specialty market is growing at 20 percent-25 percent as consumers get more health conscious."

Starbucks has said that it is partnering with Amazon's voice platform to offer what it calls "on command" ordering.

Anyone who has an Amazon device with Alexa, like the Echo smart speaker, is able to place a Starbucks order by just using their voice.

Starbucks is also launching a beta test of voice ordering through its iPhone app. The Seattle-based coffee giant says the feature is being rolled out to a limited group of 1,000 people nationwide. It plans to expand the feature later this year.

Starbucks chief technology officer Gerri Martin-Flickinger says in a statement that the company expects to "learn a lot from both of these experiences and to evolve them over time."

Starbucks and Chinese leading food and beverage producer Tingyi Holding Corp has announced that they have entered into an agreement to manufacture and expand the distribution of Starbucks ready-to-drink (RTD) products throughout mainland China.

According to the agreement, Starbucks will be responsible for providing coffee expertise, brand development and future product innovation, and Tingyi will manufacture and sell Starbucks RTD portfolio in China.

The RTD coffee and energy category is a $6 billion business, and is projected to grow by 20 per cent over the next three years.

“We are pleased to work with Tingyi, a leader in China’s RTD beverage category, to unlock the massive ready-to-drink market and grow local demand for Starbucks. Our agreement enables us to develop new categories and occasions to delight our customers and connect people outside of our stores to Starbucks where they live, work and play,” said John Culver, group president, Starbucks Coffee China and Asia Pacific, Channel Development and Emerging Brands.

The agreement leverages the respective strengths of Starbucks and Tingyi to bring the entire Starbucks RTD portfolio to customers in China as well as the ability to innovate specifically for the China market.

China is Starbucks fastest growing market outside the US with more than 1,500 stores in nearly 90 cities, and more than 25,000 partners (employees).

Tingyi is a leading Chinese food and beverage producer which, after more than 20 years of development, boasts world-leading production facilities and management expertise with a broad spectrum of quality channel resources.

Tingyi’s local manufacturing, sales and distribution expertise combined with Starbucks strong brand recognition and coffee expertise will unlock new market opportunities.

“The RTD market has a huge growth potential in China,” said James Wei, CEO of Tingyi Holding Corp. “The agreement with Starbucks will further expand Tingyi’s beverage product portfolio and enables us to provide consumers with more high-quality and convenient product options and experiences. As part of this cooperation, Tingyi will leverage its strength in production and distribution to increase the market share of Starbucks’ RTD products in the Chinese market.”

Today, customers in China can purchase Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino beverages in nearly 6,000 locations including select Starbucks retail stores, grocery and convenience stores throughout mainland China.

Through this agreement, Starbucks and Tingyi plan to bring new and existing Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino in the marketplace during 2016, which will be followed by innovation and an increased number of locations and cities for consumers to purchase Starbucks RTD products.