CEO David Abrahamovitch says the Middle East is the ‘next major frontier’ for the specialty coffee roaster and café group as it seeks franchise partners across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries
UK specialty coffee roaster and café chain Grind is working with UAE-based Gulf Franchise Group to explore launches in Middle East markets.
Gulf Franchise Group is exploring partnership opportunities with luxury retail and restaurant operators based in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman – to develop the brand in the region.
“I'm incredibly excited to bring Grind to the Middle East, one of the world's leading coffee cultures. After building the brand in the UK and now having gained some traction in the US, the Middle East is the next major frontier for Grind, and our next key focus. We already see significant demand in the region for Grind at Home, and we can't wait to bring the Grind coffee experience to the people of the Middle East,” said Grind CEO David Abrahamovitch said in a Gulf Franchise Group press release.
London-based Grind currently operates 11 outlets and three coffee carts across the UK capital, offering coffee, coffee, cocktails and all-day dining. The specialty coffee roaster also operates a direct-to-consumer retail channel, including at-home and workplace coffee subscriptions.
In August 2021 Grind raised £22m ($30m) to facilitate a US launch and grow its at-home coffee business. The group opened its first international location in Los Angeles, US, in September 2022, within Soho House’s Melrose Avenue studio location. Grind has been Soho House’s exclusive coffee supplier since March 2020, with its coffee served across Soho House’s private members clubs, hotels and restaurants globally.
Grind raised £15m ($17.1m) in March 2023 to fund the acquisition of ready-to-drink coffee brand Bottleshot Coffee and scale its retail distribution.
Founded in 2020, Gulf Franchise Group is a foodservice-focused franchise advisory group. It counts Joe & The Juice, Jones the Grocer and Crosstown among its 12-brand portfolio.
