UK-based Black Sheep Coffee has opened two new venues in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in partnership with franchisee the Al Farran Group, World Coffee Portal has reported.

The new outlets, located at ACT Towers and Boulevard Plaza Towers, feature the brand's full speciality coffee menu, including Arabic Latte and the Za’atar Croissant (a spicy pastry).

The coffeehouse chain’s expansion strategy includes the opening of two additional stores in the region by the second quarter of 2024.

One is planned for the Dubai Mall and the other for the Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.

Black Sheep plans to open 250 stores across the Middle East up to 2038 through its partnership with the Al Farran Group.

The company will also open its first US store in Dallas, Texas, US in 2024.

Black Sheep Coffee co-CEO Gabriel Shohet was quoted by World Coffee Portal as saying: “[This is an] historic day as we opened our first shops in the UAE, in the heart of downtown Dubai.

“Thanks to our awesome Emirati customers for such a warm welcome and hats off to Mohamad Al Farran and his incredible team at the Al Farran Group for delivering two flawless openings in one single day. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the Middle East.”

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

Moonglow will initially open four new coffee outlets in Cardiff and Oxford, creating 30 jobs.