Urban Baristas is pushing ahead with expansion, with a total of 15 sites in the pipeline as it continues to scale through both equity and franchise stores.
The Aussie-inspired specialty coffee brand has six London locations currently in fit-out, and a further nine in legals. It currently operates more than 15 sites across the capital.
The pipeline includes outposts in Highgate, East Croydon, Shoreditch, Wimbledon, Fulham, and Greenford.
The news comes as Lumina Intelligence named Urban Baristas as the fastest growing brand in the UK coffee market, with outlet numbers forecast to more than double year-on-year.
Huw Wardrope, co-founder of Urban Baristas, said: “Opening six stores in quick succession, with another nine already in legals, shows the strength of momentum we are building. Our hybrid growth model of equity stores in strategic London locations, alongside franchise-led regional expansion, is proving powerful. We are excited to keep bringing the Urban Baristas experience to new communities across the UK.”
Speaking to MCA earlier this year, Wardrope said the business had had a “really strong uptake” in its first year of franchising.
“Our goal is to end the year with over 30 stores across both franchise and equity sites, and that’s looking very achievable,” he added.
While Urban Baristas initially focused on London neighbourhoods, its franchise model is enabling expansion into new markets across the UK, particularly towns where speciality coffee remains underrepresented.
