Chaiiwala, the Indian street food café with over 100 stores globally, is set to launch its first airport outlet as part of an expansion plan targeting major travel hubs. The new outlet will open today at London Luton Airport (LLA) on Friday, June 14th.
This news comes after Chaiiwala made history by becoming the UK’s first Drive-Thru business serving Indian street food with the opening of its Bolton store. The street food brand says its LLA debut is part of a strategic expansion to travel locations.
The new 30-seat venue, located on the former Crepe Affaire site, will offer both all-day dining and a selection of grab-and-go items designed to be taken away for in-flight consumption.
Muhummed Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer at Chaiiwala, expressed excitement about exploring an “exciting new territory for the brand and its fans.” He said, “This will be the first time any food brand will be offering dedicated Indian street food in an airport setting so naturally we are really excited to get going. We want to introduce the Chaiiwala brand across key markets in the UK and we are confident that our colourful and bursting-with-flavour menu items cater for all taste buds and will be a hit with new and existing customers. Our research has shown there is a growing desire for travellers to experience an alternative to the current offering available at airports and we aim to fill that gap and become an exciting addition to not only LLA but similar locations across the UK. Making our debut at an airport also matches our ambitions perfectly as a young dynamic brand giving our customers the Chaiiwala experience wherever they are. This new store will help Chaiiwala extend our footprint nationally and internationally and it is a major part of our strategic vision.”
The new Chaiiwala outlet spans 1,500 square feet and will operate approximately 16 hours a day, from 4.00am to 10pm, catering to early-morning flyers and late-night travellers for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The store will feature the full Chaiiwala menu, known for its tasty and authentic dishes, along with additional treats and snack options.
As part of its launch at LLA, Chaiiwala is introducing a new travel tiffin box for passengers on the go. The opening of the Luton Airport branch has created 40 new jobs, bringing the total number of Chaiiwala stores to 89 in the UK and 106 globally, including 14 in Canada and three in Dubai.
Established in 2015 in Leicester, Chaiiwala has gained a cult following with its fusion of authentic Indian street food with a Western twist. The menu showcases breakfast, lunch, dessert, and all-day items with signature products such as Karak Chaii, Caramel Chaii, English-Ish Breakfast, Masala Chips, and Karachi Bun Kebab.
The brand utilises various formats for its stores, including High Street locations, small kiosks, and retail park units. Chaiiwala aims to accelerate its domestic and international expansion to 500 stores over the next 10 years, with a focus on key growth markets including the USA, Canada, and the Middle East.
