MMI and Costa Coffee create another perfect blend for the UAE

MMI's five-year development plan for Costa Coffee in the UAE incorporates the opening of a significant number of new outlets in high profile retail and commercial locations, complementing the existing eight outlets currently serving the market.

Kerem Camcigil, Chief Executive Officer at MMI, emphasised the strategic fit between the Costa Coffee brand and the developing market in the UAE: "The premium coffee sector is enjoying strong growth, as the UAE - especially Dubai - continues to develop, attracting affluent tourists and business travelers who appreciate quality and recognize the familiar Costa Coffee brand.

"The UAE Costa Coffee franchise business has steadily gained momentum since1998, when we opened our first Costa Coffee outlets at Century Village and in Deira City Centre. MMI has since opened six outlets, including the very high profile locations in Dubai International Airport (three outlets) and at Mercato shopping mall in Jumeirah. We are also looking to add outlets in prime locations in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, as opportunities arise.

"MMI is delighted to be extending the franchise agreement with Costa Coffee, which is an important element of the company's strategic shift towards the leisure retail and consumer markets in the UAE and beyond," Mr Camcigil concluded.

Nick Williams, Business Development Director of Costa Limited, added: "Costa is looking forward to another successful five years with MMI, building on the close working relationship that we have enjoyed since 1998. MMI has effectively established the Costa Coffee in the UAE and we believe the brand will go from strength to strength in the UAE, over the next five years."

MMI currently operates eight Costa Coffee outlets in Dubai; at Dubai International Airport (3), Deira City Centre, City Tower 2, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Airline Centre and Mercato Town shopping centre.

The Costa brothers opened the first Costa Coffee store in London in 1978 and initially expanded at the rate of two stores per year with the help of their family and friends in the business. Following the acquisition of Costa Coffee by Whitbread in 1995, the business experienced strong growth, building a network of over 400 outlets by 2003, making it the UK's largest coffee retailer.