Lavazza has a strong presence in India’s premium at-home coffee market | Photo credit: Oswald Elsabaoth

Private equity firm Everstone Group has reportedly signed a franchisee agreement to launch branded Lavazza cafés in India. 
 

Headquartered in Singapore, with four regional offices across India, Everstone Group currently operates US fast food chain Burger King and on-the-go sandwich chain Subway in India, as well as Burger King and Domino’s Pizza in Indonesia. 

According to sources cited in local media, the agreement, which was signed ‘several weeks ago’, will also see Everstone sell Lavazza coffee vending machines in India, potentially within its Subway store network. 

Lavazza would strengthen Everstone Group’s coffee offering, adding a premium brand to compliment the BK Coffee rollout within select Burger King outlets in India. 

Lavazza previously owned the Barista coffee shop chain and Fresh & Honest vending business in India.  

Having acquired the brands from Chennai-based Sterling Group for a reported $125m in 2007, Lavazza then sold Barista to Carnation Hospitality Private Limited, now operating under Boutonniere Hospitality Private Limited, in 2014. 

However, Lavazza retained the Fresh and Honest vending and coffee machine business in the country and continues to supply coffee beans to Barista’s 350 stores across the country. 

Lavazza also has a strong presence in India’s premium at-home coffee market. In December 2021 the company announced a partnership with online luxury retail platform, Tata CLiQ Luxury, to sell its products online. 

The coffee roaster said selling its retail packaged coffee, Lavazza Blue and Nespresso compatible coffee pods, branded moka pots, French presses and home brewing kits would bridge a gap in the market for premium at-home coffee in the country. 

The Italian coffee roaster achieved 11% sales growth in 2021 to a record €2.3bn ($2.5bn), with net profits rising 44% to €104m ($114m).