Chaiiwala puts out call for franchise partners as it prepares to kick off US expansion

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Chaiiwala has said it is actively seeking franchise partners amid plans to enter the US market.

Co-founder Sohail Ali, who launched the Indian street food café chain with Muhummed Ibrahim in Leicester in 2016, has said the group is preparing to ‘kick off’ its expansion into the US.

“We are actively seeking experienced franchise partners, distributors, supply chain specialists, and real estate professionals to join us on this journey,” he added.

“Let’s connect and create something amazing together, one chaii at a time.”

It come after Chaiiwala outlined plans for international growth back in 2023 following a partnership with investment company Lote Global.

At the time the group said it was aiming to strengthen and accelerate both its domestic and international expansion to 500 sites with a focus on the US, Canada, and the Middle East.

It has subsequently expanded to Canada, where it now has 18 locations; and Dubai, where it has three restaurants.

Chaiiwala has also continued to grow its UK estate, which now sits at around the 90-site mark.

In total it now has around 112 sites globally.

The group operates a number of formats including high street locations, small kiosks, drive-thru restaurants and retail park units.

Its menu is a fusion of Indian street food with a Western twist.

Options include the English-ish breakfast; shakshuka; aloo paratha; masala chips; samosa chaat; and a selection of rotis and parathas.

Last year Chaiiwala opened its first airport site at London Luton as part of an expansion plan targeting major travel hubs.