UK – Indian street food café Chaiiwala has opened its second airport branch in four months at Birmingham Airport as part of its expansion strategy.
Operating from 3:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., the new outlet provided the full Chaiiwala menu, including an array of snacks, treats, and all-day options to accommodate early-morning and late-night passengers.
The new outlet offers passengers some of the café’s popular items, including drinks like Karak Chaii and Karak Coffee, as well as food items such as the English-Ish Breakfast, Masala Chips, and Samosas.
Customers could order either at the till or in advance on their phones, with the option to enjoy their meals while waiting to board.
Muhummed Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer at Chaiiwala, explained that the goal was to provide an “exceptional” pre-flight dining experience for travelers.
He highlighted the company’s enthusiasm for bringing its diverse food offerings to Birmingham Airport, stating that Chaiiwala offered a distinct food concept compared to typical airport offerings.
Ibrahim noted that the addition of Chaiiwala aimed to enhance customer experience by providing varied and quality dining options for those traveling.
Developed as a bespoke kiosk with an investment of £500,000 (US$648,975), the 1,100-square-foot Chaiiwala store became the company’s 115th location worldwide and created 20 new jobs.
Located in the airport’s departures area, the store featured low-level seating and serving areas spread throughout the departures lounge, allowing clear views of flight information boards and boarding gates.
Additionally, Chaiiwala offered a click-and-collect service through its app to improve customer convenience.
The new store was operated by Chaiiwala’s long-time partner, EG On The Move, which also managed other Chaiiwala stores in the UK, including drive-thrus in Bolton and Blackburn.
Junaid Manjra, Director of Retail & Foodservice at EG On The Move, described the opening as a positive step in their strategy to provide high-quality food service brands to customers on the go.
Established in 2015 in Leicester, Chaiiwala has gained a cult following with its fusion of authentic Indian street food with a Western twist.
The brand utilizes various formats for its stores such as High Street locations, airports, small kiosks, and retail park units with a target to accelerate its domestic and international expansion to 500 stores over the next 10 years with a keen focus on key growth markets including the USA, Canada, and the Middle East.
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