An EL&N store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Photo credit: EL&N

UK-based boutique café group EL&N is set to enter its sixth Middle East market with a store in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. 
 

Beirut-based ICON Hospitality Group announced its partnership with EL&N in October 2023 with a first outlet expected later this year. ICON Hospitality is currently recruiting for front of house, barista and chef roles. 

EL&N's Middle East presence currently comprises 11 stores across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. The boutique café group also operates stores in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, South Africa and Malaysia.   

EL&N will join international brands Starbucks, Dunkin’ and Paul in Lebanon’s 190-store branded coffee shop market. 

In August 2023, EL&N was reportedly seeking new investment to facilitate plans to reach 200 stores globally by 2028 and become the ‘world’s number one lifestyle café’.  

The café group signed franchise agreements last year with India’s Reliance Brands and international travel concessions operator Lagardère Travel Retail. The first EL&N café in India is slated to open this year at the Jio World Plaza shopping centre in Mumbai. 

ICON Hospitality Group is a subsidiary of private investment firm ICON Ventures Holding. The group also operates the cloud kitchen concept Hngry.me and Domino’s Pizza stores in Kuwait via sister company Atyab Gulf.