Restaurant India News: abcoffee Bets on Compact Coffee Outlets to Scale in Mumbai and Delhi

Specialty coffee brand abcoffee has rolled out a compact retail format called “Hole In The Wall,” aimed at high-traffic, commuter-heavy urban locations. The new format removes in-store seating and a traditional storefront, focusing instead on contactless, tech-enabled ordering and quick fulfillment.

Orders can be placed via the abcoffee app or through a self-ordering station built into the wall. Baristas prepare the beverages behind the counter and pass them through a service window, a process designed to minimize waiting time and customer interaction while retaining a handcrafted coffee experience.

The concept draws from the “hole in the wall” model that originated in 16th-century England, where small outlets served regular customers without an emphasis on ambience. abcoffee’s iteration applies the approach to specialty coffee, streamlining front-of-house operations and reducing the need for large retail spaces.

From an operational perspective, the format focuses on throughput, unit economics, and scalability over dine-in service. By operating in compact sites with high pedestrian flow—such as Bandra in Mumbai and Connaught Place in Delhi—the model is positioned to maximize efficiency in areas where space is costly and time is a priority.

According to the company, this is not a short-term experiment. The “Hole In The Wall” format is intended as a long-term growth strategy, aligning with shifts in urban consumer behavior toward grab-and-go consumption. The smaller footprint and technology integration are expected to enable rapid rollout while maintaining product quality standards.