Restaurant India News: Blue Tokai Join Hands with Ambrosia Gulf to Expand into GCC Market

One of the India’s largest and fastest-growing specialty coffee brand, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, today announced a strategic partnership with Ambrosia Gulf, which will serve as the master franchisee for the GCC region, beginning with a flagship launch in the United Arab Emirates.

With over 175 cafés across India and an international presence including cafés and a roastery in Tokyo, Japan, this partnership marks Blue Tokai’s official entry into the Middle East. 

“It’s an exciting time for Blue Tokai as we grow beyond India into a market that appreciates traceability, craft, and community,” said Matt Chitranjan, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Tokai by adding that Ambrosia Gulf brings deep operational insight and a strong local understanding of consumer expectations. 

Ambrosia Gulf is part of the broader Ambrosia Foods Group, which is backed by Pulsar Capital—a mid-market investment firm with a broad geographic footprint across India, the Middle East, and other emerging markets. Pulsar Capital focuses on building scalable, high-quality businesses through hands-on strategic and operational support.

“We’re excited to bring Blue Tokai to the UAE and share its incredible coffee story with the region. We’re focused on building brands that prioritize quality, authenticity, and customer experience — values that Blue Tokai exemplifies. This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision to thoughtfully grow premium food and beverage offerings across the GCC,” added said Vish Narain, Executive Chairman of Ambrosia Gulf.

In India, Ambrosia is currently operating Papa Johns, with its first outlet set to launch in September 2025. In the GCC, Ambrosia Gulf manages the Biryani By Kilo franchise, reflecting its strong execution capabilities and deep experience in cross-border brand expansion.

“Partnering with a group that already operates leading food brands across India and the GCC gives us confidence as we scale internationally,” pointed Shivam Shahi, COO of Blue Tokai by adding that this is not just an expansion — it’s an opportunity to build a thoughtful, regionally aligned presence while staying true to our core values.

In addition to launching cafés, Blue Tokai and Ambrosia Gulf is also introducing their FMCG segment in the GCC. The partnership will bring Blue Tokai’s full portfolio of offerings to the region — catering not only to café consumers but also to the HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafés) and Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) channels, significantly broadening the brand’s footprint and accessibility across markets.

The first Blue Tokai café in the UAE is scheduled to open in Q4 2025, showcasing the brand’s renowned single-estate coffees, manual brewing techniques, and a signature café experience built on transparency and craftsmanship.