New Zealand-based Cooks Coffee Company has announced an expansion into the Indian market through a master franchise agreement with Sterling Coffee House.

This is a pivotal move for the company's global growth strategy, as it brings the Esquires coffee brand to India.

Sterling Coffee House, a special purpose vehicle, will oversee the establishment and operation of the Esquires coffee chain in the country.

Cooks Coffee will provide support by sharing systems, processes and best practices to ensure the franchise maintains the high standards associated with the Esquires brand.

The coffee retail chain market in India was valued at $18.83bn for the year ending March 2025, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.84% up to 2030.

Cooks Coffee Company CEO Aiden Keegan stated: "We are thrilled to announce the signing of the master franchise agreement for India, marking an important milestone in our international expansion strategy.

"India represents a dynamic and growing market, and we are confident that Sterling Coffee Houses Limited will be a great partner in bringing the Esquires brand to new customers across the country. This partnership will enable us to extend our brand presence while benefiting from the proven operational support provided by our teams in the UK and Ireland."

Esquires Coffee, established in 1993, has seen significant growth since Cooks Coffee acquired the global rights (excluding Australia and New Zealand) in 2013, focusing on the UK and Ireland markets.

The brand has more than 100 outlets in nine international markets.