Blue Tokai’s regional expansion is being spearheaded by Ambrosia Foods, a GCC-focussed food and beverage platform dedicated to launching and scaling innovative consumer brands across the region. The partnership combines Blue Tokai’s expertise in sourcing, roasting and serving exceptional Indian coffee with Ambrosia Foods’ deep market knowledge and operational capabilities to drive long-term growth across the GCC.

Blue Tokai becomes the fourth brand to join Ambrosia Foods’ portfolio. Alongside India’s leading fresh-to-order biryani brand Biryani By Kilo, Lebanese heritage brand Furn Beaino, and American diner concept Mr Brown, the platform continues to build one of the region’s fastest-growing multi-brand F&B businesses focused on premium, scalable consumer concepts.

“Blue Tokai is a landmark addition to our growing GCC portfolio and a brand that perfectly reflects Ambrosia Foods’ vision of bringing proven, category-defining concepts to the region and building them for long-term success. Indian brands are increasingly finding strong resonance across the GCC, and Blue Tokai is exceptionally well positioned to introduce more consumers to the quality, craftsmanship and diversity of India’s specialty coffee.”, said Vishwaroop Narain, Executive Chairman, Ambrosia Foods.

Following the launch of its first Dubai cafe, Ambrosia Foods plans to significantly expand Blue Tokai’s footprint across the GCC, with over 10 locations planned over the next few years.

Today, the brand operates more than 250 cafés and three roasteries across India, works directly with over 80 coffee farms, and maintains an international presence in Tokyo, Japan.

“India has an extraordinary coffee heritage, yet its potential as a world-class specialty coffee origin is only beginning to gain global recognition. For more than a decade, Blue Tokai has focused on strengthening the connection between coffee producers and consumers while creating spaces where people can discover the craft and stories behind every cup. Expanding into the GCC marks an important milestone in our journey as we introduce Indian specialty coffee to new audiences. The region’s vibrant café culture and appreciation for thoughtfully crafted experiences make it a natural next step in our growth,” said Shivam Shahi, Co-Founder and COO, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters.

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The company, operated by Muhavra Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., currently has around 240 outlets across India and aims to expand to nearly 800 cafés by FY30. The brand’s Co-Founder Matt Chitharanjan said, “India is still fairly under-penetrated in terms of branded cafés. While it may seem from the outside that there’s a lot of competition, there’s still tons and tons of white space.”

Blue Tokai’s expansion comes as coffee consumption continues to rise in India, driven by increasing demand for premium coffee experiences. The company plans to open around 120 new cafés this financial year while also entering new cities, including Ahmedabad and Lucknow.

Competition in the organised café market is also intensifying. Starbucks, which operates in India through its joint venture with Tata Consumer Products, plans to add up to 100 stores annually to its existing network of more than 500 outlets. Other domestic chains such as Third Wave Coffee, Café Coffee Day and Barista are also expanding their presence.

The company is targeting revenue of more than Rs 800 crore and expects to achieve profitability by March 2028. It is also considering an initial public offering (IPO) within the next five to seven years.

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Through his journey, he has had some unique experiences as a professional. His extensive experience as an investor across a wide range of sectors and businesses brings a strong financial and strategic perspective to his leadership approach. Having evaluated growth opportunities, business models, and market dynamics across diverse industries, Pranav possesses a nuanced understanding of value creation, capital allocation, and sustainable scaling. This breadth of experience uniquely positions him to drive commercial performance, identify new avenues for growth, and contribute meaningfully to the success of his new role.

Pranav leads the company’s business growth and expansion initiatives across retail, partnerships, and commercial operations. With a strong background in scaling consumer businesses and driving strategic growth, he is focused on accelerating Blue Tokai’s presence across markets while furthering its mission of making speciality coffee accessible to a wider audience. Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters partner with over 80 of India’s finest coffee estates. Their coffee is known for being 100% Arabica, traceable, and roasted fresh. The brand operates over 150 physical cafés and roasteries across India, as well as locations in Dubai and Japan.

At Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Pranav Dahiya is all set to play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s next phase of growth. As the speciality coffee segment continues to gain momentum in India, he will focus on expanding the brand’s footprint across existing and new markets, strengthening its omnichannel presence, and enhancing consumer engagement through innovative retail and digital experiences. He is closely working with the leadership team to unlock new growth avenues, deepen strategic partnerships, and further strengthen Blue Tokai’s position as a category leader.

Pranav’s blend of operational expertise, growth-oriented mindset, and strategic vision is expected to support Blue Tokai’s ambition of bringing high-quality Indian specialty coffee to a broader audience, while driving long-term, sustainable growth both in India and internationally.

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The round was backed by existing investors A91 Partners, Anicut, Verlinvest, and 12 Flags—signalling sustained confidence in the company’s vision and performance.

Matt Chitharanjan, Co-founder & CEO, Blue Tokai, said, “We believe in not just building a brand but creating a legacy that elevates India’s coffee culture on the world stage. This new round of funding is a testament to our vision of making India a true coffee destination worldwide.”

Shivam Shai, Co-founder & COO, Blue Tokai, added, “We are on track for our initial plan of Rs. 1,000 crore in revenue and Rs. 100 crore EBITDA by 2027, but with recent market response, we have revised our plans to accelerate growth—targeting 800+ stores and Rs. 2,000 crore revenue in the next four years. Our expansion will also deepen our presence in UAE and Japan.”

With this milestone, Blue Tokai strengthens its ambition of positioning Indian coffee on the global map while staying committed to quality, innovation, and sustainability.

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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.

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