Chaiiwala has announced a strategic partnership with One Retail, the retail division of Compass Group UK & Ireland, to develop a pipeline of cafés across hospitals, travel hubs and other non-traditional locations throughout the UK.
The agreement has already resulted in the opening of the first jointly operated location at Wexham Park Hospital, part of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, marking Chaiiwala’s first hospital café.
The new outlet provides food and drink for hospital staff, patients and visitors, with access available from within the hospital and through a separate external entrance.
The café offers Chaiiwala’s full menu of Indian street food-inspired dishes and drinks, alongside grab-and-go options designed to accommodate customers looking for refreshments during breaks or meals before and after hospital visits.
Following the opening at Wexham Park Hospital, the two businesses are exploring further opportunities across hospitals, airports, railway stations and other high-footfall environments.
The partnership will combine Chaiiwala’s established food and beverage offering with One Retail’s experience operating branded retail and catering outlets in healthcare and transport locations.
The agreement forms part of Chaiiwala’s wider growth strategy, which includes a target of reaching 500 locations globally over the next ten years.
The brand has continued to develop its presence beyond traditional high street cafés, with recent expansion into motorway service stations and other locations through partnerships with established operators.
Sohail Ali, Co-Founder of Chaiiwala, said:
“Partnering with an operator like One Retail is a major milestone for Chaiiwala and one we’re incredibly excited about.
“We have spent the past few years strengthening every part of the business, from the food and experience our customers love to the systems behind each café, so that we can grow without losing what makes Chaiiwala truly Chaiiwala. Working with one of the UK’s most experienced operators now gives us the opportunity to bring that experience to hospitals, airports and rail hubs across the country.
“As we continue our UK expansion strategy, this agreement marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for us. Not only does it increase our footprint, but it will also bring us into new location types that will be critical for introducing consumers to our brand for the first time.”
One Retail operates branded food and beverage outlets across a range of locations, including hospitals, airports and railway stations.
The business has continued to expand its portfolio of brand partnerships, including the opening of a Taco Bell outlet at Birmingham New Street station and a partnership to introduce Costa Coffee at Glasgow Airport.
Andy Jones, Managing Director of One Retail, said:
“We’re really excited to be partnering with Chaiiwala as we continue to grow and diversify our portfolio of brand partnerships. Bringing together strong brands with our expertise and reach allows us to create compelling offers that respond to our clients and customers. Travel hubs are a particularly exciting area of opportunity for us, and we’re looking forward to taking this partnership into more locations in the future.”
The agreement will provide Chaiiwala with opportunities to extend its café network into locations serving hospital staff, patients, visitors and travellers, while supporting One Retail’s strategy of developing its branded food and beverage portfolio.
Further locations are being explored across the UK, although the companies have not yet announced specific sites or opening dates beyond Wexham Park Hospital.
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