Barista currently operates 26 stores across Sri Lanka | Photo credit: Barista Coffee Lanka

Barista has opened Sri Lanka’s first drive-thru coffee shop at Orion City, Colombo. 
 

The Indian coffee chain opened its first store in Sri Lanka in 2002 and currently operates 26 outlets across the south Asian country.  

Barista, the largest coffee chain in Sri Lanka ahead of Java Lounge which operates nine outlets, is seeking to reach 50 Sri Lankan stores by 2024. 
 

In a bid to enhance brand accessibility and affordability, Barista is diversifying its store portfolio. The Orion City drive-thru site adds to an increasing number of smaller-format Barista Express sites across Sri Lanka, which are often located within outlets of its retail partners. 

“We are excited to introduce Sri Lanka's first-ever coffee drive-thru at Barista, Orion City, which represents a significant step forward in delivering convenience and exceptional coffee to our customers. In a fast-paced world where time is of the essence, our coffee drive-thru provides the perfect solution for those seeking a quick and hassle-free coffee experience,” Barista said on social media. 
 

Founded in New Delhi in February 2000, Barista operates more than 350 stores in India and plans to reach 500 stores by 2025. 

Competition in its native Indian market is fiercer than in Sri Lanka, with Indian market leader Café Coffee Day stemming the flow of its net store closures last year to reach 469 stores and US coffee giant Starbucks scaling its Indian footprint to over 360 outlets.