Dubai-based coffee roaster, Coffee Planet, has signed a 10-year franchise agreement with HB Brands to open 70 outlets across Saudi Arabia.

(R-L) Robert Jones, managing director of Coffee Planet and Martin Venter, chief operating officer of HB Brands

Coffee Planet, known for its 100% Arabica specialty coffee, recently launched a new franchise concept with the aim of increasing its global presence with franchise partners.

The brand currently has franchise outlets in the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan and Malaysia.

Robert Jones, managing director of Coffee Planet commented: “We are delighted to partner with HB Brands in KSA. We are convinced that their F&B expertise, combined with our coffee know-how, will deliver a winning proposition for customers.”

Martin Venter, chief operating officer of HB Brands added: “We are extremely impressed with Coffee Planet’s quality and the brand that they have created. We are thrilled to lend our franchising expertise to their proposition to help Saudi residents enjoy what we consider to be the finest coffee we have ever tasted.”

The new Coffee Planet outlet designs merge modern Dubai with traditional Arabia.

Inspiration has been taken from Coffee Planet’s crop-to-cup ethos, with the interiors featuring warm, earthy tones, exposed brick, brass, black tiling and wood finishes.

Coffee Planet espresso bar

According to a press statement from Coffee Planet, “the UAE has been at the forefront of speciality coffee development within the GCC and Saudi Arabia is projected to be the next big growth market.

“Both companies are looking to collaborate to provide a branded specialty-coffee offering to compete with the coffee chains already operating in the kingdom.”

HB Brands, founded by Hamdan Al Bader 26 years ago, is one of the largest F&B providers in KSA and has rolled-out Canton, TakoHut, RomaWay, Cinnabon, Wingstop, Sizzler House and Shawirmarito outlets.

Its portfolio is projected to reach 320 outlets by the end of August 2017.