American café chain The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) has signed a master franchise agreement with Waterscape Investments to open its first store in the Maldives.

CBTL will roll out a series of cafés across the Maldivian archipelago from the third quarter of 2024.

Waterscape Investments CEO Hussain Hilmy said: “We share The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's commitment to quality and creating a welcoming environment.

“We are confident that the brand's rich heritage and exciting coffee and tea offerings, combined with our deep-rooted expertise in Maldivian hospitality, will create a winning partnership for success.

“We are excited to introduce this iconic brand to our vibrant communities and contribute to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's global expansion.”

With 1,100 locations in 20 markets worldwide, CBTL is known for its hand-crafted coffee, tea and espresso-based beverages.

There is considerable global interest in the brand, with multiple new locations in development across the US, South America, the Middle East and Asia.

Chief development officer Yousif Abdulghani said: “As The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf continues its journey of global expansion, we're delighted to reach the Maldives in partnership with Waterscape Investments.

“This expansion represents a step forward in our growth strategy, allowing us to share our passion for coffee and tea with even more people around the world, and we look forward to establishing ourselves as a beloved brand in the Maldives.”

In February 2024, CBTL opened its new outlet in Santa Monica, California.

Located at the Medical Center of Santa Monica, the new venue is the result of a partnership with a franchisee who manages four other CBTL cafés in the Los Angeles area.

The Santa Monica café showcases the brand’s new design and offers ample indoor seating for customers.