In May 2023, Black Sheep Coffee signed a franchise agreement to establish 250 stores across the Middle East. Credit: Kiran Ruparelia Captures/Shutterstock.

Black Sheep Coffee has celebrated the opening of its 100th store. The location at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marks a significant milestone in the UK-based coffee chain’s global expansion strategy.

The specialty robusta chain has grown rapidly since its inception by university flatmates Gabriel Shohet and Eirik Holth, who take a hands-on approach to sourcing the best beans directly from farms.

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In May 2023, Black Sheep Coffee entered a 30-year franchise agreement with the Al Farran Group to establish 250 stores across the Middle East within 15 years.

 The partnership’s first two outlets were inaugurated in Dubai in March 2024 at ACT Towers and Boulevard Plaza Towers.

Black Sheep Coffee MEA [Middle East and Africa] developer Mohamad Al Farran said: “We’re proud to be launching Black Sheep Coffee’s 100th location worldwide in Abu Dhabi, further expanding our footprint in the UAE on our mission to change the traditional coffee chain experience across the globe.”

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The Yas Mall store is the fourth Black Sheep Coffee location in the UAE and the fifth international site, joining an outlet in Paris, France.

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Alongside the new store, the chain has launched a new matcha range with flavours including strawberry and cream, passion fruit lemonade, blueberry matcha with spirulina, matcha green tea and vanilla matcha, as reported by the Caterer.

Identifying the US as a crucial market for growth, Black Sheep Coffee is set to debut in Dallas, Texas, in June 2024 and has plans for a second location in Miami, Florida.

Propel reported in March that the company is seeking to raise £15m ($18.9m) to support its international expansion, which includes a 15-store plan in the US.

Black Sheep Coffee stores are known for their blend of warm, inviting décor and a bold, urban atmosphere, featuring graffiti artwork and wooden interiors that foster comfort.

In December 2023, UK-based franchisee Moonglow Trading secured seven-figure funding from HSBC to widen the presence of Black Sheep Coffee in the UK.