Café Culture Pioneer Barista makes it Big with Franchise 100

Indian Café brand Barista has been listed in the Franchise 100 list 2020, published by The Franchising World magazine. The Franchise 100 list recognizes the Top-100 fastest growing franchise brands and is considered as the most esteemed honor for franchise businesses in India. The list puts forth the best franchise opportunities for 2020 after analyzing the leading franchisors on the basis of franchise ecosystem size and growth, financial strength and growth, and support offered to franchise partners.

Starting its journey from the year 2000, Barista has come a long way. At a time when the café culture was still not explored in the Indian market, Barista opened doors to international coffee culture. 

The brand says, “Our quest to provide a truly international experience and brew a truly Italian cuppa, led us to create the brand Barista. Spearheading the Indian café culture, Barista was an opportunity to discover both the coffee and the craft.” 

Over the years, Barista, a pioneer in coffee retail in India, has changed ownership several times. It was founded by Amit Judge of Turner Morrison in 2001, and also saw Tata Coffee pick up 34 per cent.

In 2004, it was sold to Chennai-based Sterling Infotech Group, promoted by NRI businessman C Sivasankaran, who also bought out Tata Coffee’s stake.

In 2007, Barista was acquired by Lavazza along with another coffee company, Fresh & Honest, for Rs 480 crore from the Sterling Infotech Group.

Today, after launching over 250 stores, with more than 60 franchise stores and over 20 international stores, Barista has three operating models- kiosk, express and café. It is the first coffee retailer in India to start a loyalty programme, Bean-o-holic to attract and retain customers.

The brand’s international stores are operational in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.

Franchise 100

The Franchising World, India’s no.1 franchising magazine, identifies the Top-100 franchise brands and celebrates their achievements every year in its anniversary issue. The issue highlights the established and emerging Indian and global brands that are increasing their positioning in India along with the new-age brands that are lucrative and profitable, expanding fast and can act as a reference guide for budding entrepreneurs and investors across India.

Franchise 100 is the one-stop destination to know everything about the franchise industry and the leading brands, which investors and prospective franchisees can consider to start their entrepreneurship journey.