Costa Coffee's UAE Partnership Highlights the Value of Long-Term Franchise Partners
Costa Coffee and Emirates Leisure Retail extend their UAE franchise partnership until 2040, building on 26 years of collaboration and 160+ stores.
Costa Coffee and Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) have extended their long-term partnership until 2040, highlighting the role that an established franchise relationship can play in the development of an international brand.
A Partnership That Began in 1999
Costa Coffee and ELR started working together in 1999, opening the first Costa Coffee franchise store outside the United Kingdom.
Over the following 26 years, their partnership developed to more than 160 Costa Coffee stores in the UAE. ELR was also recently named International Franchise Partner of the Year at Costa Coffee's International Partner Forum.
A Commitment Through 2040
The new agreement extends the partnership until 2040. Costa Coffee CEO Philippe Schailee described the relationship as an example of what can be achieved through a long-standing franchise agreement.
ELR CEO Tyrone Reid also referred to Costa Coffee as a trusted partner since 1999 and welcomed the continuation of the collaboration.
The Importance of Long-Term Franchise Relationships
The Costa Coffee–ELR case offers a useful reference for the Kuwait franchise market and other Gulf markets. It shows how an international franchise brand and its partner can maintain a relationship over several decades while developing a substantial store network.
The example also highlights the importance of long-term commitment between franchise partners when developing an international brand in a regional market.
Middle East Franchise Editorial Team