From humble beginnings as a New York coffee truck to big horizons as a transatlantic force to be reckoned with, Blank Street has quickly gained a cult following for its innovative beverages, speed of service and competitive pricing. Deniz Karaman got the low-down on this trend-setting market disruptor
Five years ago, Blank Street was just a van on a Brooklyn corner. Today, it’s one of London’s fastest-growing coffee brands. At a time of rising prices and artisanal coffee trends, co-founders Issam Freiha and Vinay Menda saw an opportunity: to offer high-quality coffee at a more affordable price than local specialty cafes.
By operating out of vans, the duo sidestepped the high rental costs of traditional brick-and-mortar stores, while investments in automated coffee machines allowed them to keep overheads low and staffing needs minimal. This lean approach has enabled Blank Street to attract an impressive $140m in investment to-date, propelling the company toward rapid success.
Since launching in New York in 2020, Blank Street has expanded into Boston and Washington DC, boasting 45 stores across the three US states. In the UK, Blank Street has made its mark on British high streets with stores opening across the UK in cities like Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham.
Unlock Allegra intelligence for just £1
Already have an account? Sign In
