Making Coffee the New Chai in India

Affordable, great-tasting coffee made fast-abCoffee is reshaping how India drinks coffee

- Resham Suhail

ABHIJEET ANAND, a petroleum engineer from IIT Dhanbad with over eight years of experience at Schlumberger, transitioned from the oil industry to the world of coffee after observing a gap in India’s market. Inspired by his experiences in Europe and the contrast between how coffee is perceived abroad and in India, Anand founded abCoffee in 2022.

abCoffee is a technology-enabled, grab-and-go coffee chain that aims to make quality coffee accessible and affordable, shifting its status from a luxury item to a daily necessity. With an ambitious vision to establish 10,000 outlets across India by 2030, abCoffee’s 2024 growth strategy includes expanding to 150 outlets, with plans to reach 1,000 by March 2026.

A Coffee-first Approach

While major coffee chains like CCD, Starbucks, and Barista dominate the market, abCoffee has taken a different approach. For Anand, abCoffee is not just about creating a third space for people to hang out; it is a product-centric company.

The brand’s mission is simple: great coffee at the right price, available everywhere. One of abCoffee’s key differentiators is its “coffee on the go” model.

Traditional cafés often make customers wait for up to 17 minutes for a cup of coffee. abCoffee prioritises efficiency, ensuring customers can grab their coffee quickly and get on with their day. This approach resonates with today’s fast-paced lifestyles, where time is of essence. Affordability is another cornerstone of abCoffee’s strategy.