The Hindu Business Line : Barnie's Gourmet Coffee enters India

Barnie's Gourmet Coffee &Tea Company, the US-based global coffee chain, on Thursday announced the launch of its first retail outlet in India. It would be investing Rs 75-80 crore for its operations in India in the next five years.

Inaugurating its first outlet in Noida, Mr Gaurav Marya, Managing Director, Barnie's India, Master Franchisee for Barnie's US, said: "We will be setting up our outlets in Mumbai, Bangalore as well as other upcoming cities." The company plans to open about 300 stores and 150 kiosks in the next five years. In the first year, the company will invest Rs 25 crore and launch 25 stores by August 2007. In the first year, all the stores would be company-owned and only at a later stage would the company consider further franchising.

The stores will be opened at malls and non-mall locations with an investment per outlet ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 45 lakh. Barnie's is also in talks with some companies as well as realty developers of corporate offices for setting up exclusive outlets.

Over the next couple of months it will also consider entering in the retail market with its vending machine business. With a presence in the US, Europe and West Asia, the company is looking to establishing itself in the Asia Pacific region.

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