Specialty Coffee Roasters Roastery Coffee House Expands to Dwarka with its 3rd Outlet in Delhi-NCR

Setting out on a motorcycle road trip is more than just an exhilarating journey. It is a distinctive experience that transcends the ordinary, inviting riders to forge a deep connection with the open road and the pulse of their machines. Translating this experience to a cup of coffee that is crafted to capture the essence of the open road, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters has partnered with Royal Enfield to introduce a unique coffee blend - the Royal Enfield Cruise Blend.

Boasting a chocolatey and nutty flavour profile with tasting notes of roasted hazelnut, caramel and raisins, this aromatic blend aims to fuel the ride, while elevating the combination of the open road and a leisurely cruise. 

To kickstart the collaboration Royal Enfield took 12 distinct explorers and coffee enthusiasts on a ride through the plush terrain of the Eastern Ghats giving them an immersive experience of the journey of coffee from crop to cup at the MSP Gowri Estate. Starting from Bangalore, the ride delved into the rich heritage of coffee, exploring its origins and the captivating stories behind its cultivation.

The 'Royal Enfield Cruise Blend' will be available for purchase starting February 8, 2024 at select Blue Tokai outlets and their corresponding Swiggy and Zomato pages. 

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters is India’s largest specialty coffee brand, with its headquarters in Gurugram, India. Launched in 2013 as a roastery, Blue Tokai’s vision is to make great quality Indian coffee more accessible across formats. 

Currently, the brand is home to 4 roasteries, over 90 physical outlets across major Indian cities and regions including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Mohali and Pune, as well as international operations in Japan. In addition to these, Blue Tokai has also partnered with the country's marquee retail outlets, luxury hotels & restaurants, top corporates and co-working spaces amongst others. 

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. 

TATA Starbucks today announced the opening of its first island store at the picturesque seaside destination, Alibaug. 

The new customized store format is aimed to introduce Starbucks high-quality Arabica coffees to local customers and meet the demand from global travelers to the city looking for their favorite Starbucks beverage while away from home. 

“For more than a decade, TATA Starbucks has remained unwavering in our mission to bring unparalleled coffee experiences to customers in India. Our first Island Store in India at Alibaug is a testament to our consumer-first worldview. We look forward to welcoming coffee lovers to this unique concept store in the days to come,” shared Sushant Dash, CEO, of TATA Starbucks.

With Alibaug turning into a preferred second-home address and weekend getaway for people from Mumbai, the coastal town has seen rapid growth in both infrastructural and economic development. These factors have given rise to the demand for premium beverage and food experiences, creating the opportunity for TATA Starbucks first store in Alibaug.

Located at a vantage spot at the M2M Ferry Terminal in Alibaug, the new store will present Starbucks coffees sourced and brewed from around the world. 

The menu will also feature Starbucks locally-inspired offerings including South Indian Filter Coffee, Masala Chai, Elaichi Chai, a range of Signature Milkshakes and food options, such as Tandoori Chicken Panini Sandwich, Spiced Cottage Cheese Focaccia Sandwich, Herbed Chicken Focaccia Sandwich and more.

Michael Conway, Group President for Starbucks International and Channel Development shared, “I’m pleased to see how Indian customers have made Starbucks their destination for moments of human connection either with our green apron partners or family and friends in our stores. As one of the fastest growing markets for Starbucks, we are committed to innovation that exceeds the expectations of our customers and to nurture deeper connections across India's vibrant coffee communities.” 

Surrounded by the sounds and vistas of the Arabian Sea, the first Starbucks Island store aims to provide a distinct Third Place’ experience to Indian customers. Spread across 2,500 sq. ft. and embodying the relaxed spirit of Alibaug, this store’s warm and inviting ambiance is a tribute to its setting. It has been designed with captivating artworks that pay homage to Starbucks nautical origins and celebrates the rich tapestry of maritime mythology. Striking depictions of Moby Dick, the legendary white whale, adorn the walls, symbolizing the quest for excellence. 

“At Starbucks, we prioritize our customers and their evolving tastes, hence featuring the best of Starbucks coffees globally as well as locally inspired food and beverage experiences here. Through this store, which is also the first ever Island Store in India, we aim to catalyze the growing demand for new and unique experiences, while continuing to present our customers with a warm and welcoming Starbucks experience,” added Emmy Kan, President, Starbucks Asia Pacific.

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, India’s largest specialty coffee brand, today announced that global entertainment icon, Deepika Padukone, has joined hands with the company as its latest investor. 

This investment is part of the company’s Series B funding round, and adds Deepika Padukone’s investment entity Ka Enterprises to its portfolio alongside A91 Partners, Anicut Capital, 8i Ventures, DSP Blackrock, Negen Capital, Mauryan Capital and White Whale Ventures. 

“As someone who is immensely passionate about home-grown brands and deeply values authenticity and transparency, investing in Blue Tokai was an evident choice. We have followed the brand’s growth very closely over the past decade and observed their vision and commitment to quality and innovation and are therefore thrilled to partner with them on their journey of making Indian specialty coffee accessible, delivering unparalleled coffee experiences and putting it on the global map,” shared Padukone.

This investment comes at a time when Blue Tokai marks 10 years of helping kickstart the specialty coffee culture in India. With its unparalleled product portfolio and strong presence across the value chain, the brand has cemented its leadership position in the specialty coffee segment with continued growth, customer love and investor affinity. 

“We are glad to welcome Deepika and Ka Enterprises to the Blue Tokai family! Their thorough understanding of the D2C space and strategic investments are a testament to their strong business acumen and we are excited to have them join us on our next phase of growth. This year, we are taking experimentation, quality, accessibility and convenience a notch higher and the current growth metrics are a true indication of the success to follow,” added Matt Chitharanjan, Co-Founder and CEO, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters.

At present, the brand operates in India and Japan with 4 roasteries, over 80 physical outlets across major Indian cities and regions including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Mohali and Pune as well as regular pop-ups in Tokyo. With a varied range of offerings across roasted coffee beans, FMCG-friendly easy-to-brew & ready-to-drink products and gifting options, the brand is the preferred choice for coffee-lovers, no matter where they are. Blue Tokai also has strong B2B partnerships with the country's marquee retail outlets, luxury hotels & restaurants,  top corporates and co-working spaces amongst others. 
 

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. 
 
 

Café chain Starbucks is planning to develop a new sustainability learning and innovation lab at Hacienda Alsacia – the company’s global agronomy headquarters for research and development, located in Costa Rica.

The lab will serve as a hub for hands-on and virtual learning opportunities for Starbucks partners (employees), students, researchers and industry leaders to innovate and scale sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most challenging environmental and social issues, including climate adaption and agricultural economics.

“This is an opportunity for us to advance Starbucks environmental promise to give more than we take and our farmer promise to ensure the future of coffee for all. We know we cannot do this important work alone, and the possibilities in front of us to scale solutions, partner with thought leaders and serve as a global hub for innovation are limitless,” shared said Laxman Narasimhan, CEO, Starbucks.

Starting this fall, the lab will offer the first wave of educational programming to select Arizona State University (ASU) students and Starbucks partners. The first wave will leverage ASU’s leading educational technology and world-class faculty to enrich the student experience, including study abroad opportunities tied to existing ASU degree programs, such as Sustainability, Sustainable Food Systems, Global Agribusiness, Environmental and Resource Management, among others. Starbucks lab is expected to physically open within the next three years. 

“This is an exciting new chapter in our nearly decade-long partnership with Starbucks. The new sustainability learning and innovation lab will expand on our collaboration together, working closely to tackle critical challenges with a collective commitment to seek new and sustainable approaches that impact global communities,” added said Arizona State University President Michael Crow.

TATA Starbucks Pvt. Ltd has announced a range of new offerings to customers across its more than 341 Starbucks stores in India, including an exciting lineup of locally inspired new beverages, a completely refreshed food menu selection, and new small cup size ‘Picco’.

As TATA Starbucks opens 71 stores in F23 taking its total store count to 341 in 43 cities, the new product offerings demonstrate TATA Starbucks’ long-term investment to the growth of one of its fastest-growing markets.

“We have had a great year in F23 with strong revenues and are now present in 43 cities of India. As we expand our presence in Tier 2 and 3 cities, we need to become a more familiar and accessible brand for our consumers,” shared Sushant Dash, CEO, TATA Starbucks Pvt Ltd.

The expansion of the new offerings nationwide follows TATA Starbucks’ successful trial of localized menus in Bengaluru, Bhopal, Gurgaon, and Indore in July last year, which was met with positive feedback from customers.

“Our pilot where we introduced a range of familiar beverages and a revamped food menu yielded fantastic results from both new and existing customers, which gave us the confidence to expand and go national. As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to our vision of being the coffee destination of choice for customers in India,” he added.

The new offerings have been launched and are headlined by a series of Indian-inspired new beverages including the delicious South Indian Filter Coffee, Masala Chai, Elaichi Chai, and a range of exciting Signature Milkshakes. Customers seeking delicious food alongside their favorite beverages will also be able to enjoy a new food selection featuring bite-sized snacks, shareable food such as Hazelnut Triangle, Chicken Puffin, and Chocolate Éclair.

The new food menu also offers a range of freshly assembled sandwiches that are inspired by the local cultural taste and regional favorites such as the Tandoori Chicken Panini Sandwich, Spiced Cottage Cheese Focaccia Sandwich, Herbed Chicken Focaccia Sandwich and more. For first time coffee drinkers and customers new to Starbucks, the new 6oz small cup size ‘Picco’ offered in 6 hot beverages including Cappuccino, Latte, Filter Coffee, Masala Chai, Elaichi Chai and Hot Chocolate, is the perfect option to kick start their Starbucks journey.

The announcement also marks the national launch of the brand’s new campaign - #ItStartsWithYourName. The campaign celebrates the spirit of connection, warmth and personalization that welcomes everyone as soon as they step into a Starbucks store and makes them feel at home. It celebrates the love that binds together families in India.

Tata Starbucks Private Limited has launched its first-ever 24-hour stores (Non-Airport) in Chennai and Calicut.

The new stores are a testament of Tata Starbucks’ commitment to the Indian market where it currently operates across 341 stores in 4 cities.

Adding to the company’s existing portfolio, the new format offers an added convenience to customers where they can pick their orders any time of the day. Highlighting the company’s long-term commitment in one of Starbucks fastest-growing markets globally, the 24X7 stores will offer customers a safe, convenient and a familiar third place experience.

“Tata Starbucks has had an incredible journey in India since its inception in 2012 and we are proud to have achieved yet another milestone. The opening of our first 24X7 stores showcases our commitment to evolving our brand and business in India and providing new and meaningful experiences to our customers,” said Sushant Dash, CEO, Tata Starbucks Pvt. Ltd.

The stores are a fusion of the signature Starbucks warm and welcoming design and the city’s local culture and craftsmanship, serving as an extension of the neighborhoods served.

The Calicut store translates as a beach house integrating into the Calicut Beach. The classic Starbucks Siren represents bringing coffee life from the ocean to this location, adapting to the local culture by presenting elements like Kerala-style mural and metallurgy.

Taking cues from the local culture and nuances, the Chennai store brings a home-like feeling to the consumers. The new 24-hour store uniquely features traditional Chettinad architecture with big spaces and stunning ceramic tiles. The space is an indigenous blend of traditional, intricate Indian architecture and stunning European artwork.

Tata Starbucks is also bringing a new cup size to these stores with Picco, giving new and first-time coffee drinkers a chance to sip and savor their favorite beverage along with local additions such as the all-new filter coffee, masala chai, cardamom chai, milkshakes, freshly assembled sandwiches, bite-sized and shareable food items. The all-new food menu will feature Pesto & Mozzarella Sandwich in Panini, Bhuna Chicken Puff, Hazelnut Triangle, Chocolate Éclair, Egg White & Chicken in Multigrain Croissant, Red Velvet & Orange Cake, Chilli Cheese Toast, Butter Croissant.

Starbucks merchandise and free Wi-Fi are available at these stores. In addition, the company will also bring the My Starbucks Rewards™ loyalty program to the cities, introducing members with attractive benefits and become a part of the Starbucks India community.

Tata Starbucks had 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.

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.

Barista Coffee Company, a brand that strives to deliver an international experience in terms of cafés and coffee culture has opened its 350th store in the City of Lakes Udaipur.

The brand is celebrating its 23rd year of coffee business with presence in 100+ cities across the globe.

“At Barista, we are expanding our footprint across the country in a strategic manner and plan to be at 500 store count over the next 2 years. The objective is to connect with the larger community and be accessible for our consumers at multiple touch points,” shared Rajat Agrawal, CEO Barista.

Barista offers a large variety of coffees and non-coffee beverages, along with delectable all day snacking.

In addition to the cafe portfolio, they have expanded into casual dining formats through their flagship Barista Diner. 

“Over the past few years we have expanded well in tourist destinations and Udaipur is the latest entrant to the list. We are excited to be brewing in Udaipur and look to serve both Domestic and International guests at this store,” he added.

Incepted in 2000, under the name Barista Coffee Company Limited, Barista thrives to provide an international experience in terms of cafés and coffee culture.

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.

Starbucks Coffee Company and DoorDash have announced an expansion of the partnership with new delivery service launching over the coming months in Northern California, Texas, Georgia, Florida and other select markets in the United States.

Full nationwide availability is anticipated in all 50 states by March 2023, shared reports.

This growth comes after a successful pilot in Atlanta, Houston, and Sacramento, as well as further market expansion in 2022 in Seattle, Portland, and New York City.

“As customer behaviours evolve, we continue to innovate the Starbucks Experience to connect with them through meaningful and valuable digital experiences. Our partnership with DoorDash allows us to provide our customers with another convenient way to enjoy Starbucks wherever they are,” said Brooke O’Berry, Senior Vice President- Digital Experiences, Starbucks.

Through the collaboration and as one of the biggest local commerce platforms in the country, DoorDash offers a delivery platform to enable expanded, practical access to Starbucks around the country.

"Our relationship with Starbucks links even more neighbourhoods across the United States with their favourite beverages. The result is spectacular for coffee lovers nationally when you mix the high quality of Starbucks handcrafted beverages and cuisine with the logistics prowess and geographic scope of DoorDash,” added Sanjay Kotte, Head of Strategic Partnerships at DoorDash.

Customers will be able to order Starbucks delivery in the United States through DoorDash on iOS and Android devices in addition to the DoorDash website.

One of the pioneer in the coffee industry, Barista introduced its fifth Diner this December to Gurugram at Airia Mall.

Founded in 2000, Barista was the first to bring coffee culture to India, and since then has expanded into multiple formats.

Barista Diner is the flagship format of Barista Coffee Company and has an Integrated Live Kitchen and caters in the casual dining space serving Continental Food with fusion to suit the Indian palate.

“We are pleased to open our brand-new restaurant in Gurugram. We wanted to grow our restaurant franchise in Gurgaon, and Airia Mall is the ideal location for us to do so,” shared Rajat Agrawal, CEO Barista.

Barista Diner is currently operating in Noida, Dina Nagar, Kapurthala, and Chandigarh. 

Barista Diner is a casual dining experience with a wide variety of Italian, Continental and modern fusion cuisine. It is a flagship format from the house of Barista integrated with a LIVE kitchen to cater all day dining needs.

Located inside and outside, the restaurant is lavishly decorated and can seat up to 40 people at a time. The restaurant also offers a new menu with mouth-watering cuisine and beverages. It is a perfectly designed restaurant where you can visit with your family and loved ones.

One of the leading chains of espresso bars and cafés in India operating more than 300 outlets in India and Srilanka across 95 plus cities, Barista thrives to provide a welcoming experience to its guests at all the touch points across various formats. 

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”.

Starbucks Corporation on Thursday reported financial results for its 13-week fiscal fourth quarter and 52-week fiscal year ended October 2, 2022.

The comparable prior-year periods in fiscal 2021 included 14- and 53-weeks, respectively. GAAP results in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 include items that are excluded from non-GAAP results.

“We saw accelerating demand for Starbucks coffee around the world in Q4 and throughout the year,” said Howard Schultz, interim chief executive officer. “And our Q4 results demonstrate early evidence of the success of our U.S. Reinvention investments. Reinvention will touch, and elevate, every aspect of our Starbucks partner, customer and store experiences, and ideally position Starbucks to deliver accelerated, sustainable, long-term, profitable growth and value creation beginning in 2023,” Schultz added.

Global comparable store sales increased 7%, primarily driven by an 8% increase in average ticket.

The company opened 763 net new stores in Q4, ending the period with 35,711 stores globally: 51% company-operated and 49% licensed.

At the end of Q4, stores in the U.S. and China comprised 61% of the company’s global portfolio, with 15,878 stores in the U.S. and 6,021 stores in China.

“We are incredibly proud of our Q4 performance, and our 2023 guidance sets the stage for another year of record performance,” commented Rachel Ruggeri, chief financial officer.

Tata Starbucks is celebrating their 10^th anniversary in India and has announced the #BrewYourOwnStarbucks campaign, by offering its customers a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get featured on the Starbucks menu!

“At Starbucks, customers are at the centre of everything we do, and it all starts with their names. As we mark our 10^th anniversary in India, we want to celebrate all our customers and the hidden barista in them. Our customers are as passionate about coffee as we are and are full of new ideas and creativity. In this unique campaign, customers are invited to share their own bespoke recipes for a Starbucks beverage and stand a chance to get their names and special beverages featured on the Starbucks menu,” shared Deepa Krishnan, Chief Marketing Officer, Tata Starbucks Pvt Ltd.

To further amplify this campaign, this unique campaign has been brought to life with a film, conceptualised and produced by Edelman India in collaboration with The Yellow Umbrella Films.

The film highlights TATA Starbucks’ 10-year milestone in India, while giving consumers the unique opportunity to engage with the brand and be a part of its iconic legacy.

The film calls out customers to join this one-of-a-kind campaign by sending beverage ideas that are uniquely theirs and standing a chance to be featured on Starbucks menus.

Tata Starbucks has introduced an all-new vegan product lineup in India in partnership with Imagine Meats, a local plant-based food venture by Celebrity Couple & Entrepreneurs Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh.

Starting this month, Starbucks is adding three food products: Vegan Sausage Croissant Roll, Vegan Hummus Kebab Wrap and Vegan Croissant Bun.

“Customers in India are increasingly looking to explore more vegan food options. Since Starbucks arrived in the India market, we have always aimed to provide locally-relevant choices for vegetarian customers, and this new collaboration with one of India’s home-grown ventures, Imagine Meats, is yet another way to offer our customers more ways to customize their Starbucks Experience with delightful new offerings,” shared Sushant Dash, CEO, Tata Starbucks Pvt Ltd.

The newly-launched vegan food menu provides more vegan options for customers, in addition to Starbucks’ existing beverage customization options with plant-based dairy alternatives such as almond, oat and soy.

For Starbucks, expanding vegan menus globally is one of the ways the company is pursuing its goal to reduce its carbon footprint by 50%.

“Imagine Meats is our heartfelt endeavor towards nurturing a caring attitude regarding the planet while nurturing conscious and sustainable high protein food choices. We are thrilled to be joining hands with Starbucks who supports our vision and to introduce a new vegan food menu in India that offers consumers a simple guilt-free switch to plant-based meat,” added Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh, Founders of Imagine Meats.

The new vegan product lineup is available in select stores in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Goa, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Pune.

As per a September 2021 study by a retail broking company in India*, the plant-based meat market in India is estimated at $30-40 million. The new menu joins a growing list of vegan menu options available to the brand’s customers around the world.

Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Ltd and currently operates 272 stores in India across 28 cities.

Starbucks Corporation has marked the return of founder Howard Schultz as chief executive officer and as a director on the company’s Board.

In an early morning letter, Schultz shared with all company stakeholders a vision and invitation to join in the reimagination of the company he built, one with a storied history and an enduring mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit — one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.

“I am returning to the company to work with all of you to design our next Starbucks — an evolution of our company deep with purpose, where we each have agency and where we work together to create a positive impact in the world,” he wrote.  

Schultz also announced Starbucks will suspend its stock repurchasing program, effectively immediately. “This decision will allow us to invest more into our people and our stores — the only way to create long-term value for all stakeholders.”

Schultz is known for his transparent and bold leadership with a history of leading a business that can simultaneously deliver best-in-class financial performance, shared success with its people and measurable societal impact in the communities it serves.

“Our vision is to once again reimagine a first-of-a-kind for-purpose company in which the value we create for each of us as partners, for each of us as customers, for our communities, for the planet, for shareholders—comes because our company is designed to share success with each of us and for the collective success of all our stakeholders,” he wrote. 

Since the company’s initial public offering in 1992, Starbucks has continued to provide innovative benefits, including access to healthcare benefits for full- and part-time employees, equity in the form of stock options, free college tuition through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, comprehensive mental health benefits, pay equity, best-in-class paid parental leave and a national sick pay program.

During Schultz’s previous four decades as ceo and chairman, the company grew from 11 stores to more than 28,000 stores in 77 markets around the world.  During his tenure, Starbucks delivered a 21,000% gain in the value of its stock price between its initial public offering in 1992 and Schultz’s departure as ceo in 2017.

After brewing delicious artisan coffee and disrupting the coffee market in Bengaluru and Delhi, the cafe chain plans to open 30 cafes in Mumbai within a year and 150 cafes in over 20 Indian cities by March ’23.

Premium artisan café chain Third Wave Coffee, which has built a popular and loyal community of coffee lovers in Bengaluru, Pune, and Delhi since its launch in 2016, has opened its flagship outlet in Mumbai at Lokhandwala.

With this new cafe, the brand currently clocks a total of 43 cafes in India - 28 in Bengaluru, 11 in Delhi NCR, 2 in Mumbai, 1 each in Pune and Coonoor with plans to expand to over 150 cafes in over 20 cities by March ’23.

“Like all urban cities, Mumbai has the kind of crowd that loves to experiment with and enjoy different brews of premium artisan coffee. Since its inception, Third Wave Coffee has been at the forefront of the coffee and cafe experience in India,” shared Sushant Goel, Co-Founder & CEO, Third Wave Coffee.

Third Wave Coffee is the brainchild of three young founders - Sushant Goel, Ayush Bathwal and Anirudh Sharma, who have spent the past several years disrupting the coffee-drinking experience.

Third Wave Coffee’s flagship outlet at Lokhandwala, spread across 2000 sq. ft., welcomes you into its cozy, warm interiors done up in hues of beige and off white and the most welcoming appetizing aroma of coffee. The cafe offers a personal, inclusive space that allows customers to build relationships over a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.

“Innovation lies at the heart of everything we do. We also take pride in our ability to pair familiar Indian flavors in a more cafe friendly format. Mumbaikars will have their own local favs including the Chipotle-flavored Paneer Pao or the spicy shredded chicken pao in all our Mumbai cafes. Third Wave Coffee has always introduced new coffee and food experiences that are wholesome, comforting and satiating, and we can't wait to share our offerings with the world,” said Anirudh Sharma, Co-Founder, Third Wave Coffee.

By March next year, Third Wave Coffee will have captured the largest market share for offline coffee consumption in Bengaluru and Delhi. The brand aims to replicate its model across India.

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.

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.

Coffee chain Tata Starbucks Pvt. Ltd. Has announced aggressive expansion plan for its airport locations.

It is planning to open eight airport stores in India in Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Goa, Guwahati, Jaipur and Lucknow, offering visitors in transit a welcoming Third Place as the perfect stop for their coffee fix at airports.

“This year has been really fruitful for Tata Starbucks in terms of expansion. Between December and January, we marked our biggest expansion by entering six new markets and now with the opening of eight new airport stores, we are echoing our commitment to evolve our brand and business in India to provide new and meaningful experiences to our customers,” said Sushant Dash, CEO, Tata Starbucks Pvt. Ltd.

The opening of the stores demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to the market, and the dedication to meet the evolving needs of the customers.

The stores will be designed to provide a warm and convenient experience for customers, whether they are taking a break in transit between flights or getting their favorite beverages to enjoy on their next flight.

The airport stores will offer customers a wide range of menu items available at other Starbucks locations.

Starbucks opened its first store in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Ltd and currently operates 258 stores in India across 26 cities.

Iconic coffee chain Tim Hortons® is entering India as part of an exclusive agreement with AG Café, a joint venture entity owned by Apparel Group, a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate and Gateway Partners, an emerging markets alternative investment manager.

Started in 1964 in Canada, it is known for its freshly prepared iconic beverages like the smooth and creamy 'French Vanilla' and its creamy blended frozen coffee, the 'Iced Capp®' along with made-to-order food and baked goods offerings, like the delicious bite-sized morsels of traditional donuts called 'Timbits®’.

As per the release, Tim Hortons will open in New Delhi this year, quickly followed by Punjab and other parts of the country.

Tim Hortons India will be led by Navin Gurnaney, previously the CEO for Starbucks India.  

"We are very happy to bring Tim Hortons, a global café brand, to our guests in India. The launch will lead to major investments in market-leading talent and innovation, creating new jobs and providing a direct boost to the hospitality sector. We are excited ahead of this launch and we look forward to bringing the best of the café experience to Indians,” shared Gurnaney.

There’s no denying that India is one of the world's fastest-growing markets for speciality coffee retail chains and Tim Hortons can give a tough competition to Starbucks, Costa Coffee as well as home grown café chain Café Coffee Day.

"We are thrilled to be bringing Tim Hortons to India, with Apparel Group and Gateway Partners. India is known for taking its beverages and food very seriously," said David Shear, President, RBI International,  parent company of Tim Hortons.

With this launch, India will become the brand's fourth country in the Asia Pacific region, and plans to open over two hundred and fifty outlets over the next five years.

Speaking  on the announcement, Nilesh Ved, Chairman & CEO, Apparel Group said, "The food and beverage sector is seeing a revival after a long period of covid-induced lull, and we see this as the most opportune time to introduce a new brand and have an aggressive plan to cater to the demand. As a global company with proven capabilities worldwide, we are happy to bring the Tim Hortons experience to India.”

Tim Hortons is Canada’s largest restaurant chain operating in the café industry, and international expansion has become an increasing priority for the brand. Over recent years the brand has introduced its well-loved offerings to guests beyond Canada and the United States.

Currently Tim Hortons has over 5,100 restaurants across 13 countries and growing, including the Middle East, China, the UK, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and Philippines.

Delhi-based Rage Coffee is eyeing into the manifolds of the blockchain bazaar by minting 10 Rage Coffee branded NFTs of a certain value.

These NFTs will be issued to 10 lucky winners as a part of their valentine’s month marketing campaign.

“A clairvoyant attitude is often the key to cogitation and execution of something which is avant-garde in its segment. Being visionaries in our segment, we capitalized on the crypto craze and now we are happy to make some noise by issuing NFTs which are the hottest thing in the market right now,’ shared Bharat Sethi, Founder and CEO of Rage Coffee by adding that by entering into the blockchain matrix they would have an opportunity to interact with Ragers and dominate the D2C space by creating conversations around one of the popular digital trends at the moment.

The campaign will be kicked off with a launch video on NFTs with the theme being centered around exploring the ideas of coffee and love from 10th of Feb to 19 Feb.

The company in the past had capitalized on the buzz of the crypto coins, now the brand is heading towards the NFT space, this time with actual Rage exclusive NFT’s.

This valentine’s month marketing campaign by Rage would also engender an infill of NFT owners in India which is significantly low. With the debut of Rage Coffee in the blockchain matrix, it will also bring a lot of Ragers under the umbrella of this marvelous technology.

Cafe start-up Roastery Coffee House recently launched its third outlet in Noida.

With exceptional coffee sourced from the finest coffee farms in India, the brand is known to deliver a first-of-its-kind experience by going from “crop-to-cup” and offering single-state speciality coffee.

Founded by Nishant Sinha with the vision to bring Indian coffee to the world stage started its journey with its first outlet in Hyderabad (2017), closely followed by a second outlet in Kolkata in 2019.

A zero-waste brand offering an array of products ranging from Mandal Khan Estate, Salwara Estate, Thogarihunkal Estate, Monsoon Malabar (best-selling) brewed via distinct global techniques such as manually brewed coffees like French press, aero-press, pour-over, syphon and others.

It also believes in adding fresh ingredients in the coffee, including cardamom and cinnamon and serving single state speciality coffee.

The Coffee House also offers Colocal chocolates, a joint venture of handcrafted chocolates by Nishant and his wife, Sheetal Saxena.

“We welcome customers from all walks and ages in life and offer them a unique experience from crop to cup. As we serve our affections hot in a mug for them to relish, we subtly and indirectly help them interact with the farmers of India and the lineage of premium coffee products from the country,” shared Nishant Sinha, Founder, Roastery Coffee House.

Roastery Coffee House looks forward to reaching out to more and more patrons in Noida and eventually growing across other parts of the country.

Indian craft-gin maker Nao Spirits has launched their second limited-release gin, “No Sleep”, in collaboration with Sleepy Owl Coffee.

In stores already in Goa, Bengaluru, Mumbai & Pune, this coffee-infused gin is the first of its kind in the market.

No Sleep will arrive in New Delhi by the end of January 2022.

“Experimentation is key when it comes to being a craft distiller and we’re constantly doing just that. The coffee-infused started off in 2017 as a delicious cocktail experiment by my co-distiller, Jay Dhawan. We’ve since served it at many bars, occasions and events. It was his idea to put the cold brew straight into the bottle and it is this we are so pleased to be able to bring out to the world and keep his legacy alive,” shared Anand Virmani, Co-founder and Distiller.

No Sleep brings together two of India’s increasingly popular beverages, Gin & Coffee, as well as two of the country’s most innovative brands, who have individually been spearheading the Indian revolution of these two beverages over the past few years.

True to their principles, the distillers at Greater Than chose not to use any sugar, coffee extracts or artificial flavours. Instead, they partnered with Sleepy Owl to make a smooth, cold brew using 100% Arabica Coffee from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, to infuse in their Gin distillate.

“Innovation has been one of the pillars of Sleepy Owl Coffee, right since its inception. Whether it be the concept Cold Brew Coffee or Hot Brew Bags, we’re proud to be the first ones to introduce these to the Indian audience,” added Arman Sood, Co-founder, Sleepy Owl Coffee.

Tata Starbucks Pvt. Ltd. today announced its entry into six new markets in India, marking its largest store expansion in a year.

The entry into Siliguri, Nashik, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa and Bhubaneshwar, demonstrates Tata Starbucks` commitment to accelerating the Starbucks Experience for customers across India.

With a growing base of coffee enthusiasts across the country, the brand makes its first appearance in the states of Assam, Goa and Odisha.

“Tata Starbucks is grounded in growing with its partners and customers together and thus expanding our footprint in India is a matter of great pride for us”, said Sushant Dash, CEO, Tata Starbucks Pvt. Ltd.

Each new store in the six cities is a celebration of the people who represent the diverse culture of the region.

The stores are a fusion of the signature Starbucks warm and welcoming design and the city’s local culture and craftsmanship, serving as an extension of the neighbourhoods we serve.

Starbucks will also bring My Starbucks RewardsTM loyalty program to each of the cities, which provides members with a host of rewards and personalized benefits as they make Starbucks a part of their daily lives. Starbucks brand merchandise and free Wi-Fi will be available across all stores.

With 252 stores in 26 cities, Starbucks stores across the country have re-opened for dine-in and takeaway in-line with the guidelines issued for the respective cities.

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.

As part of its continued expansion plans in the market, SouthRock – the licensed operator of Starbucks retail stores in Brazil announced the opening of eight stores in Minas Gerais.

Store locations include Aeroporto Internacional de Belo Horizonte and Boulevard Shopping, opened on November 18 and 27, respectively, and BH Shopping, Minas Shopping, Shopping Cidade BH, two more stores at the airport and Uberlândia Shopping, in Uberlândia, which will all open in the coming weeks.

“It is with great excitement that we announce our arrival in Minas Gerais with eight unique store locations offering high quality arabica coffee from Brazil and around the world. As we celebrate our 15^th anniversary in Brazil,” said Claudia Malaguerra, MD, Starbucks Brazil.

Boasting one of the strongest coffee cultures of all Brazilian states, Minas Gerais was chosen earlier this year as the destination of Starbucks first Farmer Support Center in the country. Located in Varginha, this new Center extends the company’s presence in the region and aims to provide valuable resources to local coffee communities as part of Starbucks commitment to source coffee responsibly, for the betterment of people and the planet.

The new stores will feature a warm and comfortable atmosphere for customers to enjoy handcrafted beverages prepared by passionate baristas. Menu options range from the Starbucks® Brasil Blend – a unique coffee made with 100% Brazilian beans from the regions of Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Bahia – to other locally relevant offerings, such as an exclusive “mineira” recipe of the traditional Pão de Queijo, a bestselling item only offered by Starbucks in Brazil and developed in partnership with Forno de Minas.

To ensure a consistent Starbucks Experience, the company is opening a Starbucks Training Center in Minas Gerais, located inside the Confins Airport. At this facility, Starbucks Brazil store baristas can participate in training programs covering barista certifications, customer service practices, operational routines, and courses on the coffee industry, quality, and food safety. Learnings acquired at the Center will also be shared with the teams located at future stores in the state.

With the Minas Gerais store openings, Starbucks Brazil will have 142 stores and around 1,600 partners (employees).

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.

The new Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go, located in New York City at 59^th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues, opens on November 18, 2021. 

The store is a combination of a Starbucks Pickup and Amazon Go, utilizing the order ahead feature in the Starbucks app and Amazon Go’s Just Walk Out technology to create an easy checkout experience, alongside a modernized lounge that features individual workspaces and expanded tables with power outlets and USB ports.

The new store offers the full Starbucks menu and a curated assortment of food and beverages in the Amazon Go market, including fresh-prepared salads, sandwiches, bakery items, and snack options.

“The new Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go is designed to provide our customers with an experience that delivers convenience and connection in an effortless way,” said Katie Young, senior vice president of global growth and development at Starbucks.

Starbucks Pickup stores primarily accept orders that are placed through the Starbucks app prior to the customer arriving at the store. Customers can place and pay for their order by selecting the Starbucks on “59^th between Park & Lex w/ Amazon Go” as their desired location in the app. Once the customer arrives at the location, they can find the status of their order on a digital screen in the store and then pick up their order directly from a Starbucks barista.

“Amazon Go and Starbucks share a common vision to provide innovative in-store experiences that are centered on the customer,” said Dilip Kumar, vice president of physical retail and technology at Amazon by adding that customers have enjoyed the effortless shopping experience enabled by Just Walk Out technology at Amazon Go where they can simply come in, grab something delicious to eat or drink, and just leave and carry on with their day without having to wait in line to pay.

To enter the Amazon Go market and store’s lounge seating, customers can use the “In-Store Code” in the Amazon Shopping app, Amazon One or a credit card, and then shop the Amazon Go market like any other Amazon Go store. Once inside, anything customers take off the shelf is automatically added to their virtual cart. Anything they put back on the shelf comes out of their virtual cart. When a customer is done shopping, they can either sit in the lounge area to enjoy their Starbucks® beverage and food item selected from the Amazon Go market or be on their way. After the customer leaves the Amazon Go market, their card will be charged and they can access their receipt within a few hours, sometimes faster.

Starbucks and Amazon Go plan to open at least three Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go stores in the coming year, with a second location planned for The New York Times Building located at 40^th Street & 8^th Avenue in New York City next year.

Bengaluru based sustainable plant-based startup Alt Co has collaborated with a few giants in the market like Thirdwave Coffee Roasters, KC Roasters, Coffee by Di Bella, and Zed the Baker to integrate its Oat Milk in their authentic coffee recipes.

Alt Co. has always aimed to deliver the best alternative dairy products. With its nutritious, lactose-free, and green oat milk and coffee brands Alt-Co. Is gearing up to give it an eco-friendly outlook and help usher the coffee industry into a new age.

“We are exhilarated to supply these big coffee brands with our plant-based oat milk as it has proven to be the next big step towards the future. In hindsight of the impact that our past lifestyle has had, a lot of people are shifting to a plant-based diet,” shared Basan Patil, Co-founder, from Alt Co.

The brand is also looking forward to introduce a plethora of other alternative-dairy products like vegan ice cream.

With 80% less greenhouse gas emissions, 60% energy saved, and 100% plant-based milk, Alt Co. has undoubtedly taken the stage in recent years.

With people shifting to more healthy ways of life and developing a plant-based diet, coffee, and other products having Alt-Co.'s plant-based oat milk in the mix is just what the market requires. Both parties, having seen this vision, are culminating together to change the market landscape colossally.

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.

Gurgaon-based coffee startup Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters has raised Rs 17 crore in pre-series B bridge round led by Anicut Angel Fund, the equity arm of Anicut Capital.

The round also saw participation from other new and existing investors.

As per the release, the brand will use the fund to launch new products, execute farm-level interventions to improve quality, expand internationally and for marketing.

“Cafes were an important part of that mission, but like many brands, Covid-19 completely upended the economics of that business. We were fortunate to already have a strong D2C (direct-to-customer) presence and by refocusing our efforts on our online sales channels, we’ve been able to grow our revenue nearly 50 per cent more than our pre-Covid peak. The funding we received demonstrates that we saw the pandemic as an opportunity to build a base for the next leg of our growth and we are grateful to partner with investors who share our vision,” said Matt Chitharanjan, Co-founder, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters.

Also Read: Blue Tokai Coffee to Open 10 more Stores in India

Started in Gurgaon in 2012 with an aim to serve speciality coffee to the customers, it started selling its coffee online and through B2B partnerships.

At present, it also operates cafes in Delhi, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Mumbai and a newly launched café in Hyderabad.

Started by Matt Chitharanjan, Namrata Asthana and Shivam Shahi, the brand refocused on their online business to reach more customers during covid by making high-quality coffee more accessible to people across the country.

They are also present in ready-to-brew and ready-to-drink products.

“We are privileged and delighted to partner with the entire Blue Tokai team as they march ahead in their mission to introduce people to great-tasting coffee grown in India and set a coffee culture through their cafes and website,” added Ashvin Chadha, Co-founder, Anicut Angel Fund.

The new café, located at Haggatt Hall St. Michael, will welcome local customers beginning July 30.

Customers will enjoy the iconic Starbucks coffeehouse experience alongside Starbucks signature handcrafted beverages prepared by passionate baristas, and locally-sourced menu options including sandwiches, wraps and juices.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to bring the unparalleled Starbucks Experience to customers in Barbados, our 10th market in the Caribbean, in partnership with Caribbean Coffee Traders Limited,” said Ricardo Rico, General Manager, Starbucks Latin America and the Caribbean.

CCTL, a consortium led by Margaritaville Caribbean Group and Adam Stewart in his private capacity, through its sub-licensee Caribbean Coffee Baristas (Barbados) Ltd., will be the operating licensee of Starbucks® retail stores in Barbados, leveraging more than 25 years of retail and hospitality experience within the Caribbean region.

Barbados is the fifth market where CCTL operates Starbucks retail stores, in addition to locations in Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, the Cayman Islands and Panama. Together, CCTL and Starbucks plan to open more stores in the coming years, with a shared commitment towards creating opportunities and delivering a unique customer experience.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Starbucks brand on the beautiful island of Barbados,” shared Ian Dear, Founding Partner of CCTL and CEO of Margaritaville Caribbean Group.

In addition to ample indoor and outdoor seating, Starbucks first store in Barbados features a unique design and convenient pick-up window for customers on the go. Plans to offer customers a convenient way to place and pay for their order online, in advance of their visit, and pick it up at their earliest convenience at the store’s designated pick-up window are also underway.

Starbucks Corporation has announced several leadership appointments to advance the company’s strategic business goals and position Starbucks on a clear growth path for the future.

The company announced the promotions of John Culver as group president, North America and chief operating officer, Michael Conway to group president, International and Channel Development, and Michelle Burns to executive vice president, Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa.

These changes are effective as of June 28, 2021.

“As we plan for the 2022 fiscal year and beyond, Starbucks is fortunate to have a deep, talented and diverse team of senior executives we are able to tap to help lead us forward,” said Kevin Johnson, President and CEO, Starbucks.

John Culver joined Starbucks in 2002 and has been at the forefront of the growth and expansion for the company across multiple geographies and cultures, leading Starbucks International for the last 15 years. Similarly, Michael Conway joined Starbucks in 2013 to lead Channel Development and, since that time, has gone on to lead Starbucks U.S. Licensed Stores and Canada businesses. In his expanded role as group president, International and Channel Development, he will oversee the retail business segment that includes all international markets outside of the U.S. and Canada. He’ll also lead Starbucks global Channel Development business segment including the Global Coffee Alliance with Nestlé.

Meanwhile, Michelle Burns leads Starbucks Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa with more than 26 years of experience at Starbucks. Her promotion to executive vice president reflects the importance of coffee as core to Starbucks business and recognizes the critical role coffee plays in the intersectionality of Starbucks Planet and People Positive goals within the coffee supply chain, on behalf of our farmers.

“These appointments support our Growth at Scale agenda to bring about predictable, sustainable growth for the long-term, as well as our commitments to being a People Positive and Planet Positive company. I want to congratulate John, Michael and Michelle on their promotions and look forward to continuing to work with them closely,” added Johnson.

In order to honour those efforts of the Medical Scientists, Frontline workers, Government bodies & the End Recipients of the vaccine Coffee By Di Bella will be serving One free Cappuccino to everyone who simply shows his or her's Vaccine certificate to its brew crew.

Time & again studies have proved the best way to beat the Pandemic is for maximum number of people to get vaccinated and to promote this the café chain is offering free cappuccino to vaccinated people.

The order is available only in dine-in and one regular cappuccino will be offered per certificate/ person.

"Humanity & our perseverance has come a long way in a short span, never in history has a vaccine been developed at this pace & efficiency. We want to honour the human spirit & promote as many people to get vaccinated hence we are serving a Cappuccino to everyone who comes in with a vaccination certificate," shared Rahul Leekha, Director- Coffee By Di Bella.

Coffee By Di Bella was founded in 2002 in Brisbane, Australia by Phillip Di Bella. His mission was to provide customers with the products, tools, and knowledge to make the perfect coffee, every time.

Summer can’t arrive soon enough and with brighter days ahead, Starbucks is here for the summer feels with its lineup of colorful summer beverages and tasty food to make this season As Summer As Possible (A.S.A.P.). The new summer menu is available at Starbucks stores in U.S. and Canada beginning Tuesday, May 11.

The summer menu features the new Strawberry Funnel Cake Frappuccino® blended beverage and returning favorite Unicorn Cake Pop. Customers can also continue to enjoy the Caramel Ribbon Crunch and Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino® blended beverages and a variety of colorful Starbucks Refreshers® beverages, including the Dragon Drink, Pink Drink, Mango Dragonfruit Starbuck Refreshers® beverage and Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers® beverage.

There are several convenient ways to order Starbucks new summer menu. Customers can use the Starbucks app to locate a store, view store hours, order ahead and use contactless payment, as well as determine the most convenient available pick-up option, including: in-store, at the door, drive-thru, and curbside pickup where available. Those looking for Starbucks® coffee without leaving home can place an order for delivery through Starbucks® Delivers via Uber Eats (check the Uber Eats app for availability and restrictions).

Looking to switch up your coffee routine at home this summer? Starbucks is elevating what you expect from multi-serve instant coffee with the launch of NEW Starbucks® Premium Instant, created with the same high-quality beans used in Starbucks cafes.

Customers can also pick up new Starbucks Cold & Crafted bottled coffees and Evolution Fresh cold-pressed juices including Organic Cucumber Glow, Organic Vital Berry, and Organic Carrot Citrus Radiance. All available online and where you buy groceries nationwide.

Marking their foray into a brand-new category, coffe chain, Starbucks has announced the launch of a new range of ice-creams inspired by  the customers’ favourite beverages across stores in India.

Expertly handcrafted with the finest quality ingredients, the exciting new category includes indulgent flavours, formats, and personalised options to win the hearts of ice-cream lovers.

Also Read: Starbucks to open new planet and people positive research facility at Arizona State University

This latest offering will provide customers yet another delightful way of indulging in the cherished Starbucks experience while reinforcing Starbucks’ unparalleled coffee authority and its commitment to continually reinventing the coffee experience through innovative avenues.

Starting April 14th, 2021, coffee afficionados can get their hands on this exquisite dessert range of delicious flavours such as Java Chip, Caramel Macchiato andVanilla flavoured ice creams.

The delicious range of ice creams will be available as scoops, ready-to-eat family packs and as Affogatos.

May Interest: Sushant Dash replaces Navin Gurnaney as CEO Starbucks effective April

In addition to all of these exciting treats, the favourite neighbourhood store has also launched ice-cream based beverages like House Affogato, Cold Brew Float, Nitro Cold Brew Float & Cold Brew Malt.