India ranks sixth in the world’s top coffee producers, and while that number would make one think of India as an evolved coffee market, the truth is that the coffee industry is just getting started. The coffee culture in most parts of India, except south India, is relatively new. However, the Indian coffee culture is on the rise, primarily due to the youth’s preference for this versatile beverage.
It must be noted that coffee consumption in India experiences a 5% growth every year. Luxury, convenience and comfort are some of the major driving factors of the exponential rise that cafes in India have experienced. As a result, it is no surprise that entrepreneurs are gravitated towards opening a cafe, which requires less space, lower investment while offering greater room for creativity and innovation.
6 Best Cafe Franchise Opportunities In India
- The Brew Room
- How You Brewing
- Starbucks
- Classic Rock Coffee Cafe
- Coffee by Di Bella
- Barista
If you’ve been harbouring dreams of running your very own cosy cafe, read on to find out more about the six best cafe business opportunities in India:
Operating since: 2014
Number of outlets in India: Less than10
Space required: 1000-1500 sq. ft. (approximately)
Investment required: INR 55 lacs-1.2 crore (approximately)
The Brew Room is an award-winning cafe popular for its handcrafted specialty coffees. It was launched in Chennai as the city’s first coffee microbrewery offering eight brewing techniques from all across the world. Along with its crafted coffees, what contributed to the cafe’s stellar reputation is its beautiful, artsy and charming decor. After carving its niche in Chennai, The Brew Room entered the Delhi market, only to become a favourite among young students and families alike.
Operating since: 2017
Number of outlets in India: Less than 10
Space required: 1000-1500 sq. ft. (approximately)
Investment required: INR 30-50 lacs (approximately)
How You Brewing is a Delhi-based cafe, inspired from the famous American sitcom of the ’90s, called F.R.I.E.N.D.S. In fact, the name of the cafe comes from the famous dialogue by Joey, “How you doin’.” The decor of the cafe rightly reminds its visitors of the renowned show, and that is the biggest USP of the brand.
Along with an extensive menu entailing continental and Italian food options, the cafe is also known for its exotic coffee menu, offering flavours such as hazelnut, caramel, Irish and other classics. Considering the enormous fan population of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. coupled with the rise of the cafe culture in India, “How You Brewing” makes for an ideal cafe franchise option.
- Starbucks Franchise
Operating since: 1971
Number of outlets in India: 100+
Space required: 1000-4500 sq ft approximately
Investment required: INR 1.5-3.5 crore approximately
Starbucks opened its first store in Seattle, USA in 1971 and today operates over 28,000 stores across 75 markets all over the world. Starbucks entered the Indian market in 2012 in a joined partnership with TATA Coffee and became widely popular soon after its launch. Currently, Starbucks is present across several Indian cities and has aggressive plans to expand deeper into the Indian market. The cafe has over 100 stores in the entire country. However, the globally recognisable brand name means that you will have to invest a considerably larger amount of money in starting a Starbucks franchise, as compared to other cafe franchise opportunities.
- Classic Rock Coffee Cafe Franchise
Years in Operation/Operating since: 2011
Number of outlets in India: Less than 10
Space required: 1500-3000 sq. ft. (approximately)
Investment required: INR 1-4 crore (approximately)
Classic Rock Coffee Co (CRCC) is an internationally recognized American coffee chain with its presence in over eight countries. In India, Classic Rock Coffee entered through Pune and is now targeting all other major Indian cities. What distinguishes this cafe from other cafes is its unique Rock n’ Roll ambience and decor. The cafe offers an exquisite range of premium coffee specialities for all coffee lovers and also has an innovative menu on offer. The brand successfully fuses rock music with coffee and makes for a perfect place to hang out with friends.
- Coffee by Di Bella Franchise
Operating since: 2002
Number of outlets in India: 15 (approximately)
Space required: 1500 sq. ft. approximately
Investment required: INR 1.4 crore approximately
Coffee by Di Bella was founded in Australia with a mission to provide consumers with the right products and knowledge to help them make an ultimate cup of coffee that they will cherish every day. The brand emphasizes the importance of sourcing the premium quality coffee beans, perfectly roasting them, thereby providing its customers with a perfect cup of coffee. Having successfully spread its wings all across Mumbai, Coffee by Di Bella now intends to have a PAN India presence, thereby providing entrepreneurs with a perfect opportunity to take advantage of its brand name and a loyal consumer base.
- Barista Franchise
Operating since: 2000
Number of outlets in India: 200+ (approximately)
Space required: 1000 sq. ft. (approximately)
Investment required: INR 60 lacs-1 crore approximately
Barista is undoubtedly one of the pioneers of coffee culture in India. It entered the Indian early on when coffee was still considered a luxury. Barista is one of the first brands to bring Italian coffee and eats to the Indian subcontinent. Even today, when the cafe culture in India is at an exponential rise, Barista stands tall with its distinguished coffee tastes and a very loyal consumer base. This means that Barista franchise owners will have a natural advantage over their peers and will be able to reach profitability earlier.
The Indian youth, almost single-handedly, has driven the success of many cafes all over the country. More than a restaurant, cafes have become a coveted place for youngsters to meet their friends and hang out after work. Factors like clean sitting spaces, free Wi-Fi, electric sockets for charging, aesthetic decor, and a global menu have helped cafes attract customers and gain a strong sense of loyalty as well. The ongoing trend of cafes in India is definitely on the rise, but there is a lot of potential for growth in the market and immense scope for budding entrepreneurs to venture in and create their own unique space in the industry. If you want to open a cafe franchise in India, please get in touch with us by filling the Investor Enquiry form.