News: UAE group to open coffee outlet in Mumbai

(BL 27/11/2006) Dubai - Making a foray into the booming Indian beverages market, UAE-based Abbasi Group will open three outlets of the coffee chain 'Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf' in Mumbai next year.

The Mumbai launch will be followed by new coffee shops in Pune and Bangalore, according to the Chief Financial Officer of Abbasi Group, Jayant Gandhi.

The group holds master franchise rights for the Singaporean-based coffee chain for several Middle East countries and India. It is launching Coffee Bean in India in a joint venture with Indian hotelier SK Jatia Group.

"With the Indian economy booming, the Coffee Bean business model fits with market demands. This is the best time to be in India," he added.

Abbasi aims to develop and operate Coffee Bean outlets throughout India with the next phase expansion planned for New Delhi.