Analysis: Which brands will lead the next phase of growth for India’s branded coffee shop market?

As the South Asian country enters a new phase of coffee chain competition, one group of operators is outperforming the rest

With a population of 1.47 billion, approximately half of whom are aged under 30 and many of whom are now embracing premium hospitality, India has the makings of a global coffee giant.

World Coffee Portal research shows that the total Indian branded coffee shop market added 600 stores last year to exceed 5,330 outlets, as of September 2025.

Much of that growth was led by a sizeable mid-market segment, including Starbucks, Barista, Costa Coffee and Nescafé Coffee Shop, as well as fast-growing affordable chains such as abcoffee, Nothing Before Coffee and Café Buddy’s Espresso.

However, growth for operators in those segments has slowed over the last 10 months.

Specialty operators are now exerting greater market influence – and have the investor backing to gain further ground.