Café Chaiwala enjoys rapid UK expansion
Monitoring Desk
LONDON: Pakistan’s viral tea seller-turned-entrepreneur Arshad Khan’s Café Chaiwala brand is expanding rapidly across Britain, with a new outlet opening in Sutton, South London, and four more branches planned in the coming weeks.
The UK expansion is being led by British-Pakistani businessman Asif Khalique, the UK master franchise holder and director of Café Chaiwala Sutton Limited. He previously launched the brand’s Tooting branch with his brother Yousuf Khalique around three years ago.
The Sutton opening was attended by local community members, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and representatives of the business community, who welcomed the arrival of the Pakistani café brand in the area.Khalique said the company was planning a rapid expansion, with new outlets expected to open in Norbury, Leyton and New Malden within weeks.
“There is a huge demand for the brand from across the UK and Europe,” he said.He said the café aimed to bring the taste and atmosphere of Pakistani chai culture to Britain, with its menu featuring Karak Chai, Doodh Patti, Gurr Chai, Kashmiri Chai, Masala Chai, Badami Chai, Honey Malai Chai and Peshawari Kahwa.
The menu also includes halwa puri and chana, freshly made parathas, desi omelettes, Lahori chanay, seekh kebab paratha rolls, samosa chaat and shami anda burgers.“Our aim is to make Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan a mainstream British brand with its roots and identity proudly connected to Pakistan,” Khalique said.Arshad Khan expressed satisfaction over the continued international expansion of the business carrying his name.
“I am extremely happy and proud to see Asif Khalique opening another Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan branch in Sutton and taking our brand forward across the UK,” he said.
Khan said the company wanted to expand across Britain, create jobs, promote Pakistani culture and introduce Pakistani chai and street food to more communities.
Khan shot to international fame in 2016 after photographer Javeria Ali photographed him serving tea at a roadside stall in Islamabad. His striking appearance and blue eyes turned the then teenage tea seller into a social media sensation, leading to television appearances, modelling assignments and eventually his entry into business.
Khan opened his first Café Chaiwala branch in Ilford, East London, around four years ago. Earlier this year, he ended his association with the business owners, citing alleged contractual violations, and awarded the UK master franchise rights to Khalique, who has business interests in London and Karachi.
Khan has also initiated legal proceedings in the London High Court against the former Ilford branch operators, alleging copyright infringement and non-payment of royalties.
