Japanese coffee chain % Arabica will expand in Europe next year through a franchise partnership with premium retail business Soho Middle East.  

Under the agreement, the brand will roll out in countries including France, Germany, Portugal, and Greece. It is also reportedly in discussions for expanding further in the Netherlands and is considering the potential markets of Italy, India and Myanmar. 

“Our dream is to have stores in amazing locations worldwide, collaborating with talented architects and interior designers to create remarkable store designs,” the brand wrote on its official Instagram account. 

“We carefully source, store, roast, and train our baristas to extract the finest espresso and brew pour-overs. Currently, we operate 155 stores in 19 countries, and with this new agreement, our contracted countries have expanded to 39.” 

Soho Middle East, which was founded in Dubai in 2019, has a portfolio that includes premium French fashion label IRO Paris as well as Los Angeles-based clothing brands Amiri and Cotton Citizen. 

% Arabia has also secured a master franchise deal to expand in Nepal, with stores planned for Kathmandu, Pokhara, the hub of Himalayan hiking, and Namche Bazaar. The company intends to open a kiosk at Everest Base Camp.