Starbucks Georgia has officially debuted as Alshaya Group opened the brand’s first coffeehouse in Tbilisi, marking a major milestone in the country’s retail and hospitality sectors. The new outlet, located at Axis Towers in the vibrant Vake district, welcomed its first customers as part of Starbucks’ ongoing global expansion and Alshaya’s growing footprint in Eurasia.
High-Level Opening Ceremony Highlights Investment Importance
The official inauguration ceremony drew prominent government and business leaders, underlining the strategic significance of the launch. Among attendees were Irakli Nadareishvili, Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mikheil Khidureli, CEO of Enterprise Georgia, along with Mohammed Alshaya, Executive Chairman of Alshaya Group, and John Hadden, the Group’s CEO.
The presence of senior officials emphasized the role of Starbucks Georgia in boosting the country’s economic development and attracting international investment.
Alshaya Focuses on Premium Experience and Local Impact
Saleh Alshaya, President of Starbucks at Alshaya Group, highlighted that the launch of Starbucks Georgia aligns with the country’s strong café culture and youthful consumer base. He emphasized the company’s ambition to deliver Starbucks’ premium coffee experience while supporting local suppliers and creating new job opportunities.
Starbucks Expands Global Footprint
Duncan Moir, President of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa, noted that with more than 41,000 stores in over 80 countries, entering the Georgian market represents another step forward in Starbucks’ global growth journey.
He added that the partnership with Alshaya Group will help build meaningful customer relationships while continuing to invest in local communities through Starbucks Georgia.
Strategic Collaboration Enabled the Launch
The introduction of Starbucks Georgia was made possible through close cooperation with key stakeholders, including Enterprise Georgia, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Georgian Embassy in Kuwait, and the Turkish Embassy in Tbilisi (Commercial Consulate).
This collaboration reflects a supportive business environment that encourages global brands to enter the Georgian market.
Expansion Follows Greece and Cyprus Acquisition
The opening comes shortly after Alshaya Group acquired the Starbucks licensed business in Greece and Cyprus in April 2026, becoming the exclusive owner and operator in both markets.
Currently, Starbucks operates 30 stores in Greece and 18 in Cyprus, employing approximately 500 people, further strengthening Alshaya’s regional leadership.
Strong Eurasian Presence and Global Scale
Alshaya Group continues to reinforce its presence across Eurasia, operating more than 800 Starbucks stores in Türkiye, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.
Since opening its first Starbucks store in Kuwait in 1999, the group has expanded to over 2,000 locations across 16 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eurasia, serving more than one million customers daily through the Starbucks Georgia expansion and beyond.
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