Tag: Digital Cafe

Drinkit Expands in Dubai as Network Revenue Jumps 2.5 Times

Posted on by Qahwa World

DUBAI – QAHWA WORLD

Drinkit, the global café chain operating under a digital-first model and founded in 2016 as part of Dodo Brands, is accelerating its expansion in Dubai following strong year-on-year growth across its network.

According to Katerina Borodich, Chief Executive Officer of Drinkit UAE, the brand is set to double its local network this year. Seven franchise partners were signed last year, with new outlets now launching. Among the most anticipated upcoming locations are Dubai Hills and Creek Harbour. Franchise interest is also increasing, reflecting growing investor confidence in the concept.

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Strong Year-on-Year Growth

In January, network revenue increased 2.5 times compared to the same month last year, while the number of operating locations doubled year-on-year.

Mature stores continue to post solid gains. Marina Gate recorded 60 percent growth, maintaining similar momentum for the third consecutive year. Bay Avenue rose 58 percent compared to January 2025, while EMAAR Square reported 32 percent growth.

Performance varies by micro-location dynamics. Marina Gate and Bay Avenue benefit from additional footfall generated by surrounding residential and retail traffic, while EMAAR Square operates within a business district environment with more structured demand patterns.

You can also read: Drinkit CEO Announces Sub-40 Month Payback Period for Dubai Coffee Shops

Operational Performance

The EMAAR Square location has on occasion reached daily revenue of 10,000 dirhams, with a peak of 374 transactions in a single day. Despite its compact layout, the team continues to optimize operations to handle high customer volumes efficiently.

Unit Economics and Payback Strategy

Drinkit’s first Marina outlet reached monthly revenue of 72,000 US dollars, delivering a 26 percent store-level earnings margin after royalties. A franchise unit launched in October has already become the third highest-performing outlet in the Dubai network, generating 48,800 US dollars in monthly revenue.

As of November, the average retail payback period stood at 40 months, excluding the Mirdif location. Since then, operational refinements have reduced unit costs by 2 percent. Delivery currently represents 13 percent of total network revenue, with further growth potential identified. The target payback period is 30 months.

Preparing for Seasonal Shifts

With Ramadan approaching, typically a challenging period for retail activity, the focus remains on maintaining profitability while scaling operations sustainably.

Drinkit’s recent performance underscores the continued dynamism of Dubai’s specialty coffee market, as international café concepts pursue disciplined expansion strategies supported by franchise partnerships and operational efficiency.

Abu Dhabi Prepares to Welcome “Drinkit” from April

Posted on by Qahwa World

The popular digital café chain announces ambitious expansion plans in the UAE

Abu Dhabi – Qahwa World

Digital café chain Drinkit is set to open its first branch in Abu Dhabi, marking the brand’s entry into the emirate and the next stage of its expansion across the United Arab Emirates. The first café is scheduled to open in April at Al Qana, one of Abu Dhabi’s prominent lifestyle destinations, known for its diverse dining options, informal meeting spaces, and social gatherings. The venue was also awarded the Travelers’ Choice Award for 2025.

After establishing a strong presence in Dubai, Drinkit plans to open at least seven additional branches across the UAE by the end of 2026, bringing the total number of cafés to 15 and doubling its footprint in the local market.

This strategy reflects DrinKit’s goal to offer a high-tech coffee experience to more neighborhoods and make premium coffee accessible to everyone across cities.

The company operates physical cafés that rely on a fully digital model, replacing traditional payment counters with in-store kiosks and a mobile app. Currently, around 90% of orders are completed digitally across all branches, enhancing operational efficiency and providing a consistent experience for customers. This technology-driven model also allows for steady expansion across different markets and locations.

Katerina Borodich, CEO of Drinkit, said: “The UAE has proven to be a strong and thriving market for DrinKit. Our eight branches in Dubai demonstrate the concept’s success in diverse urban environments. We see clear opportunities to continue growing the brand across the country. Our expansion plan through 2026 is carefully considered, focusing on long-term performance and strategic site selection.”

Katerina Borodich, CEO of Drinki

She added: “Our business model has been successfully tested over three years of operations in Dubai. We are proud to say it is a stable model, with an average investment payback period of less than three years depending on location. Interest in DrinKit is growing steadily in business districts, residential areas, and shopping centers, driven by our varied menu, competitive pricing, and easy ordering process.”

  • About Drinkit

Drinkit is a global café chain that follows a digital-first approach. Founded in 2016, it is part of Dodo Brands, a multinational company in the food service sector specializing in developing and franchising quick-service restaurant concepts worldwide.

Since joining Dodo Brands in 2020, Drinkit has expanded to more than 135 cafés across five countries: the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia.

Drinkit is part of Dodo Brands’ portfolio alongside Dodo Pizza, one of the world’s largest pizza franchise networks. In 2025, Dodo Brands reported over $1 billion in revenue, with a 23% year-on-year growth, operating more than 1,500 units in 27 countries.

Matching Dubai’s Momentum: Drinkt Unveils Ultra-Personalized Digital Coffee Experience

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Dubai – Qahwa World

In a world accelerating at the rhythm of innovation, the cup of coffee remains an anchor of daily stability—that precious moment where the fragrance of tradition meets the speed of the digital age. From the heart of Dubai, the city where the pulse of creativity never ceases, a new revolution has ignited, redefining the consumer experience. It introduces the “Digital Café” concept as a leading model combining supreme quality with intelligent efficiency.

This profound transformation was the focus of a special interview hosted by the program Nabd Dubai (Dubai Pulse), presented by the accomplished anchor Raya Rammal, featuring Kateryna Borodych, the CEO of the famous digital café chain “Drinkt” for the Middle East and North Africa region.

The interview commenced with a report highlighting coffee’s crucial role as a driving force in the global economy. Coffee, which sustains over 25 million farmers, sees consumption exceeding two billion cups daily worldwide, with its annual revenues surpassing the $200 billion mark. While the global market size stands at $138 billion, forecasts suggest it will exceed $170 billion by 2030.

Regionally, the report confirmed that the coffee market in the Middle East and North Africa is valued at $11.5 billion, with expected growth exceeding 4% annually until 2030. Dubai shines in this landscape as a global hub for coffee trade, exporting between 15% and 18% of the world’s Arabica harvests and processing over 11,500 tons of beans through its specialized centers, reflecting an accelerated drive towards innovation and sustainability aimed at delivering a unique consumer experience.

Following this economic prelude, Ms. Katerina Borodich joined the studio to reveal the reason behind “Drinkt’s” choice of Dubai as the first point for its global expansion, with the chain already boasting 105 branches worldwide.

Katerina Borodich emphasized that this choice was no coincidence, but a strategic decision rooted in the city’s very nature: “Dubai is synonymous with innovation, and this perfectly aligns with Drinkt’s vision.” She noted that the Drinkt experience relies on digital solutions, allowing customers to order coffee via the app or digital kiosks, ensuring a smart and seamless experience.

She added: “Dubai is a city that encourages the adoption of innovation and sustainability and embraces new ideas. Its residents are always keen on modern experiences. It is also a global trade center, and its government has provided an excellent business environment. Therefore, Dubai is the best place to launch and develop our services.”

Katerina Borodich explained that there is “great harmony between Drinkt and Dubai” in speed, precision, and innovation, stressing that the city’s fast-paced and evolving nature, particularly in business centers, demands quality and quick delivery—a demand the digital model is designed to meet.

Regarding the target audience, the Drinkt CEO affirmed that the chain serves all age groups, and the digital transformation is not limited to attracting the youth who prefer contactless services.

Katerina Borodich further clarified: “The younger generation loves the digital approach, as they can order easily without speaking to anyone. As for the middle and older age groups, they often focus on customization, allowing them to modify ingredients, reduce calories, and adjust flavors via the app and smart cups. Few cafés offer this level of control. This makes our services suitable for broad segments, while maintaining the same quality, taste, and temperature.”

In response to a question about whether technology replaces employees, Katerina Borodich drew a clear line between automated efficiency and the human spirit: “Technology is supportive, but it does not replace people.” She stressed that the human element remains “an essential part of the experience,” and while digital solutions facilitate the process, the presence of staff is always vital.

Katerina Borodich concluded her discussion by asserting that coffee is not just a drink, but a “fixed element of stability” in a world full of volatility, noting that data shows some customers purchase the same drink hundreds of times, reflecting the depth of their connection to the experience. She added that Dubai is leading the growing expansion of the specialty coffee culture, serving as a crossroads between East and West and a cradle for integrating technology and identity.

Thus, the story of “Drinkt” in Dubai remains a living example that the future lies in integrating technology to deepen the human experience, not eliminate it, all within a framework of innovation that never ceases.