Third Wave Coffee marks milestone with 125th Café launch in Chennai, India

INDIA – Coffeehouse and roaster chain Third Wave Coffee has announced the opening of its 125th café in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Third Wave Coffee has rapidly expanded its presence in India, now operating in 10 cities, including major hubs like Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.

The brand’s philosophy centers around “quality, innovation, and fostering connections,” focusing on offering specialty coffee combined with advanced brewing techniques and thoughtfully designed spaces.

This approach creates an inviting atmosphere that aims to deliver a unique experience for modern coffee enthusiasts through offerings like single-origin coffees, cold brews, and a handcrafted menu.

In addition to its product offerings, Third Wave Coffee emphasizes creating community-centric spaces by hosting events and workshops that encourage social connections.

CEO Rajat Luthra, who took the helm after a top-level restructuring in March 2024, highlighted the brand’s mission to elevate India’s coffee culture, noting that the company has grown significantly with the support of its customers.

He explained that every visit to a Third Wave café is intended to be as memorable as the coffee served, with a focus on creating lasting experiences.

The brand also stands out for its commitment to social causes, including managing cafés with all-female teams and actively hiring differently-abled individuals, reflecting its dedication to diversity and inclusion.

Third Wave Coffee recently accelerated its growth plans, opening 50 new stores across India in June 2024, with a target of reaching 150 stores by March 2025. This expansion will focus on key cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.

Luthra, who previously led KFC India’s operations for over a decade, revealed that the company is also scaling its roastery capacity threefold to meet the growing demand for its products beyond just retail locations.

The expansion comes amid increasing venture capital investment in India’s coffee sector, which has seen competition intensify with international brands such as Tim Hortons and Pret a Manger entering the market.

Sushant Goel, co-founder of Third Wave Coffee, emphasized the potential to open multiple stores within current cities without affecting business from other locations.

Along with expanding its store count, Third Wave Coffee plans to enhance its menu and product offerings, further solidifying its position in the rapidly growing coffee market in India.

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