Sterling Group-controlled coffee chain Barista Coffee Company Ltd on Wednesday announced plans to open 60-70 outlets across the country in the next 10-12 months, as part of its expansion plans.
The company was also looking at opening outlets in South East Asian markets, Brotin Banerjee, head (marketing & strategy), Barista Coffee, told reporters after opening two new Barista Expresso bars in Chennai.
Barista Coffee, where Sterling Group and Tata Coffee hold 65 per cent and 35 per cent respectively, has about 120 company-owned outlets across the country. Banerjee said about 60 per cent of the new outlets would be franchisees of the company.
Barista also has eight overseas outlets, six in the Middle East and two in Sri Lanka.
On the proposed investment plans for new outlets, he said each outlet would require an investment of Rs 20-22 lakhs (Rs 2-2.2 million).
Banerjee said the proposed expansion plans were aimed at South Indian markets, where the company's presence was smaller compared to North India. Barista has just over 12 stores in the South, with presence in Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.
"With increased presence, we are confident to offer the Barista coffee experience to more and more consumers in the South," he said.
Banerjee said Barista has been growing at a healthy 20 per cent year-on-year for the last few years. "We are hopeful of maintaining the same rates in the coming years as well," he said.