Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf opens 1st store in Maldives

MANILA, Philippines —   The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) of the Jollibee Group has opened its first store in the Maldives, as the Philippine food giant continues to expand its coffee and tea business overseas.

The new store situated on the beachfront of Hulhumalé’s Central Park can seat up to 35 guests and serves CBTL’s signature ice blended drinks, specialty coffees, premium teas and freshly prepared meals.

The store is operated by Waterscape Investments Pvt. Ltd., a franchisee committed to growing CBTL across the Maldives.

“We value our collaboration with Waterscape Investments, whose deep understanding of the local market and commitment to excellence mirrors our own values,” CBTL chief executive officer Pepot Miñana said.

He said the opening in Maldives supports the brand’s goal to be among the world’s leading specialty coffee and tea chains. It also strengthens Jollibee Group’s growing global portfolio.

“The Maldives is a world-renowned destination, and we are excited to bring The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf experience to its shores,” Miñana said.

CBTL now operates in over 1,200 locations across more than 20 countries.

The brand selects from the top one percent of Arabica beans from the world’s premier coffee-growing regions and partners with family-owned estates across Sri Lanka, China, Thailand and Japan for its tea offerings. 

“This is a significant milestone for us, and we are confident that together, we will create a unique and welcoming space where the people of the Maldives can enjoy our handcrafted beverages and experience the authentic, flavors we’ve perfected over decades,” Miñana said.