Brewing Bigger: Mohamed Al Zain, CEO of the Barns Café chain
Saudi-based halal coffee chain, Barns Coffee, has set its sights on the US market, particularly in New York City, with an ambitious expansion plan. Despite a slowdown in the industry, Barns Coffee plans to open its first outlet in Manhattan by the first quarter of next year. The CEO of the chain, Mohamed Al Zain, expressed enthusiasm about the aggressive growth in the US, keeping pace with the company’s international expansion. He believes that the timing is favorable for Barns Café to establish a presence in Manhattan, with the first outlet set to open in the iconic Times Square.
Mr Sami Mansour Qutub ,Vice president Human Capital and Shared services, Barns Coffee and Mr.Noushad Dawood Founder and CEO of Urban Trade international at the MOU signing in Dubai
To facilitate their entry into the New York market, Barns Coffee signed a memorandum of understanding with Urban Trade International, based in Abu Dhabi, for development to the US markets. Mr. Noushad Dawood, the Managing Director of Urban Trade International, pointed out the potential of the growing halal market in the USA and expects to roll out more outlets in NYC in the coming years.
Barns Coffee outlet, Jeddah Airport , Saudi Arabia
“The potential for a halal coffee chain in New York City is significant. With its diverse population and a growing interest in unique and culturally diverse culinary experiences, the city offers an ideal market for such a concept. Barns halal coffee chain can cater to Muslim consumers seeking coffee options that adhere to their dietary and religious requirements, while also appealing to a broader audience interested in exploring new flavors and cultural influences”.said Sami Mansour Qutub ,Vice president of Human Capital and shared services of Al Amjaad group during the signing of MOU in Dubai .
“ New York’s vibrant and fast-paced lifestyle provides an excellent opportunity for a halal coffee chain to thrive. Offering quality coffee, innovative beverages, and a welcoming atmosphere, such a chain could attract both locals and tourists, establishing a loyal customer base. Additionally, New York City is known for its coffee culture, with residents and visitors alike seeking out coffee shops as social hubs and places to work or relax. Barns will capitalize on this coffee culture while introducing a unique touch that sets it apart from other establishments.” Said Sultan Al Mutlaq Manager of franchising at Al Amjaad Group.
While the coffee industry has numerous players, experts still see opportunities for growth in the beverage category. A recent poll revealed that 62 percent of New Yorkers consume coffee daily, with 60 percent of those coffee drinkers having more than one cup per day. Revenue in the Coffee market amounts to US$11.00bn in 2023. The market is expected to grow annually by 3.21% (CAGR 2023-2028).
Sultan Al Mutlaq ,Manager of Franchising at Barns coffee, Mr.Noushad Dawood Founder and CEO of Urban Trade international,Abudhabi , Mr. Sami Mansour Qutub ,Vice president Human Capital and Shared services, Barns Coffee(Left to Right ) at the signing function of New York Expansion in Dubai
New York City is a top tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year from around the world. A halal cafe can cater to Muslim travelers seeking familiar and authentic food options while exploring the city.With its strong presence and a focus on the halal market, Barns Coffee is optimistic about its prospects in New York City and is ready to cater to the diverse tastes of coffee lovers in the bustling metropolis.
Saudi Arabian Jeddah based Al-Amjaad Group is renowned for its successful coffee business, barn’s, which was established in 1992 as a homegrown specialty coffee brand. With a progressive company culture, barn’s has become the largest and one of the oldest coffee shop businesses in Saudi Arabia. Al-Amjaad has adopted a franchising model to expand the reach of barn’s while maintaining full ownership of approximately 30 percent of its branches. This strategy has proven effective, with the number of barn’s branches growing from around 130 in 2018 to over 550 today, including more than 150 fully owned by Al-Amjaad. Mohamed Al Zain CEO of Barns café, said: “It’s an exhilarating time to be the coffee shop leader in Saudi Arabia and we dedicate this our loyal customers .We’re proud of our 30-year legacy in Saudi Arabia and are energized by the opportunity to bring the Barns experience to new customers worldwide in the future by opening more outlets through franchising route with the aim of achieving 1000 outlets globally by 2030.
