Tag: GCC coffee market

Drinkit Set to Launch in Saudi Arabia with Franchise Model

Posted on by Qahwa World

Duabi – Qahwa World

The popular digital coffee chain “Drinkit” is preparing to enter the Saudi market through a franchise model, as part of an exciting expansion plan to grow its presence in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The goal is to bring Drinkit’s expertly crafted drinks to coffee lovers across the region.

Premium Coffee Experience with Top Quality

Drinkit is dedicated to offering a high-end coffee experience, built on its deep expertise and wide range of products. Beyond specialty coffee, the menu includes a variety of matcha and cocoa drinks, as well as healthy and creative food options. Known for its top-quality products and unique digital service, Drinkit has become one of the fastest-growing coffee chains in the world.

Smart and Easy Ordering

Drinkit stands out with its innovative system, where 90% of orders are placed online through kiosks or a dedicated app. The Drinkit app makes ordering simple, allowing customers to customize their drinks and have them ready in just three minutes. Smart pickup zones with digital screens ensure quick and easy collection, cutting down wait times.

The app also lets customers personalize their drinks, choosing everything from coffee beans to milk type, temperature, and sweetness. It even suggests drinks based on past orders, a feature loved by over 45% of customers, showing how much they value this tailored experience.

Global Growth and Proven Success

Founded in 2016, Drinkit has grown to over 103 locations in countries like the UAE, Russia, Kazakhstan, and the United States after being acquired by Dodo Brands in 2020. The menu boasts over 60 drinks, from specialty coffee to refreshing iced matcha and cocoa, all made with high-quality local ingredients.

Drinkit Set to Launch in Saudi Arabia with Franchise Model

CEO’s Statement

Katrina Bordish, CEO of Drinkit, said: “Entering Saudi Arabia is a big step in our global growth. It shows the rising demand for quick, high-quality coffee. We’re thrilled to bring our drinks and smart technology to Saudi customers, focusing on convenience and excellence.”

She added: “The Saudi coffee market is booming, valued at SAR 5-7 billion in 2024, with over 5% annual growth. Saudis consume more than 80,000 tons of coffee yearly, or about 36 million cups daily, making the Kingdom one of the world’s top coffee markets.”

Vision 2030

Bordish highlighted that cafés make up 16% of Saudi Arabia’s food service market, worth around SAR 17 billion. This growth is backed by government investments of over SAR 1.2 billion under Vision 2030, including plans to plant 5 million coffee trees and increase local production to 10,000 tons by 2030. New factories with a capacity of 27,000 tons are also in the works.

She noted that these efforts show how coffee in Saudi Arabia is evolving from a traditional drink into a thriving industry, attracting investment, creating jobs, and positioning the Kingdom as a key player in the global coffee scene.

Expansion Plans in Saudi Arabia

Bordish shared that Drinkit is in advanced talks with local partners and expects to open its first cafés in Saudi Arabia by late 2025 or early 2026. The plan is to reach 10 locations by the end of 2026.

KGN Coffee Introduces Papua New Guinea’s Specialty Coffee to Dubai

Posted on by Qahwa World

Abu Dhabi – Qahwa World

As part of the Qahwa Talks series held during World Food Week, which concluded last week in Abu Dhabi, Vikram Singh Rathore, from KGN Coffee – Kaffeine’s Gastronomic Nectar, spoke about his journey in bringing Papua New Guinea’s specialty coffee to the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing that Dubai served as the ideal platform for launching this unique venture.

Operating from Greenville Stadium, KGN Coffee seamlessly blends café culture with the “farm-to-cup” concept, offering an authentic and traceable coffee experience that connects consumers directly to origin.

“Our farms in Papua New Guinea grow and roast all coffee with utmost care to deliver the highest quality of specialty coffee,” said Rathore. “Our goal is to bring the authentic taste of Papua New Guinea coffee to consumers around the world — and Dubai was the perfect place to start.”

Explaining his decision to enter the UAE market, Rathore noted that the growing awareness across the GCC of unique and emerging coffee origins was a key motivator. “Papua New Guinea coffee is still new to many people in the region,” he said. “While most are familiar with Brazilian, Ethiopian, or Colombian coffee, consumers today are eager to explore new flavors and origins. This is the perfect moment to introduce something truly distinctive.”

Although entering such a competitive coffee market was initially challenging, KGN Coffee quickly earned positive feedback from customers. Rathore explained that their coffee appeals to both espresso lovers and milk-based beverage enthusiasts, thanks to its balanced flavor profile and consistently high quality, making it suitable for both daily enjoyment and refined tastes.

Speaking about Papua New Guinea’s coffee potential, Rathore highlighted the country’s pure and diverse natural environment. “Papua New Guinea is a land of natural abundance,” he said. “Everything grows in harmony with nature — without artificial irrigation or chemicals. It’s organically cultivated by its environment. The main challenge lies in awareness; many people still don’t know that PNG is a coffee-producing nation. But once they taste it, they immediately recognize its exceptional quality.”

Rathore also praised Dubai’s central role in supporting KGN Coffee’s success, stating: “Dubai is the commercial hub of the region and an ideal base for business. From here, we can easily connect with markets in Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. It’s a city that offers a strong foundation for anyone introducing something new — not only in coffee, but in any industry.”

In conclusion, Rathore expressed optimism about the future of Papua New Guinea coffee in the region. He believes that its distinct flavor, sustainable origins, and the growing specialty coffee culture in the UAE will secure it a lasting place among coffee lovers across the Middle East.