By IBTeam Yes, Barista is an Indian brand. Barista is a well-known chain of espresso bars and cafes primarily operating in India, along with outlets in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. It is India’s second-oldest coffee house chain and currently ranks as the second-largest coffee chain in the country, with over 425 outlets as of March 2024. The brand also sells FMCG coffee products through various modern and general retail stores across India.
Barista Brand Overview
- Founded: February 2000
- Headquarters: Gurugram, India
- Industry: Food & Beverage (Coffeehouse chain)
- Key Markets: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives
History and Ownership Journey
- Tata Group (2001): A 34.3% equity stake was sold to Tata Coffee in 2001.
- Sterling Infotech Group (2004): C Sivasankaran’s Sterling Group acquired Barista entirely, buying out both the Amit Judge-controlled Turner Morrison’s 65% stake and Tata Coffee’s stake. During this period, coffee was sourced from Fresh and Honest, a Chennai-based roaster also owned by the Sterling Group.
- Lavazza (2007): The Sterling Group sold Barista and the Fresh and Honest roaster to Italian coffee giant Lavazza. By 2009, Barista operated 200 stores across India with annual revenue estimated at ₹200 crore.
- Boutonniere Hospitality Private Limited (2014): Lavazza sold Barista to Boutonniere Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. (formerly Carnation Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.), which now operates the brand. Lavazza continues to supply coffee to Barista through Fresh and Honest.
Milestones and Current Status
- Barista has received recognition in Sri Lanka as the most popular service provider in the café and coffeehouse category for 2021.
- The brand targets an aggressive expansion plan, aiming to grow its café footprint to 1,000 outlets and extend its FMCG product availability to 1,000 stores by 2025.
Overall, Barista remains a key player in the Indian and regional coffeehouse market, blending a rich heritage with modern consumer preferences. Its growth strategy focuses on expanding its café network while strengthening its FMCG presence, positioning it as a dominant name in the café and coffee culture across the Indian subcontinent.