Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters has announced a strategic partnership with Ambrosia Gulf to expand its footprint into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Under the agreement, Ambrosia Gulf will serve as the master franchisee for Blue Tokai, beginning with a flagship launch in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Q4 2025.
The move marks Blue Tokai’s official entry into the Middle East market, further strengthening its international presence which already includes cafés and a roastery in Tokyo, Japan. Known for its farm-to-cup approach and emphasis on single-estate coffees and manual brewing techniques, the brand aims to bring its artisanal coffee experience to consumers across the Gulf region.
“We’re excited to bring Blue Tokai to the UAE and share its incredible coffee story with the region,” said Vish Narain, Executive Chairman, Ambrosia Gulf. “This partnership aligns with our vision to thoughtfully grow premium food and beverage offerings across the GCC. Blue Tokai exemplifies quality, authenticity, and customer experience—values we prioritize in every brand we work with.”
Ambrosia Gulf is a subsidiary of Ambrosia Foods Group, supported by Pulsar Capital, a mid-market investment firm with operations across India, the Middle East, and other emerging markets. The firm focuses on scaling high-quality businesses through active strategic and operational involvement.
The partnership also extends beyond café operations. Blue Tokai and Ambrosia Gulf will introduce the brand’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) portfolio to the GCC, targeting the HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, and cafés) sector as well as direct-to-consumer (D2C) retail channels.
“It’s an exciting time for Blue Tokai as we grow beyond India into a market that appreciates traceability, craft, and community,” said Matt Chitharanjan, Co-Founder and CEO, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters. “Ambrosia Gulf brings operational strength and strong local insight into consumer preferences, making them ideal partners to lead our GCC expansion.”
In India, Ambrosia Foods is currently building out the Papa Johns brand, with its first outlet expected to open in September 2025. In the GCC, it operates Biryani By Kilo, underscoring its capability in executing cross-border brand expansions.
The launch of Blue Tokai in the UAE is expected to serve as a cornerstone for a broader rollout across the GCC region, introducing a new wave of specialty coffee experiences to Middle Eastern consumers.
