Freddo espresso in Montmartre, Greek coffee in Cairo, fresh pasta in Beirut: what once sounded improbable is now becoming reality. A growing number of Greek café and restaurant chains are boldly expanding abroad, no longer driven by necessity, but by strategy.
The chain Coffee Island, from central Greece, is among the pioneers. Already present in 12 countries across four continents, the chain recently opened in Cairo, shortly after launching in Iraq and adding two stores in India. Next up: France, with a flagship opening in Montmartre by late 2025 and further plans for Lyon.
Fresh Pasta in Beirut, Nuts in the Gulf
Mailo’s, a pasta chain partly owned by Gregory’s, made its first move into Lebanon with strong early results. A master franchise agreement is paving the way for further stores in the region, while Canada (Toronto) and Germany are also on the radar.
Meanwhile, Carpo—born in Athens and specializing in nuts, chocolate, and coffee—has struck a partnership with food giant Americana Restaurants to expand across the Gulf. After London and Dubai, new stores are set to open in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
Gregory’s itself is strengthening its footprint in Cyprus, Germany, and especially Romania, where a master franchise deal is fueling expansion. Established names such as Goody’s and Mikel are also eyeing new markets.
Why Now?
Industry insiders point to a mix of push and pull factors. In Greece, coffee consumption is already among Europe’s highest—over 3 kilos per person annually—leaving limited room for growth. Rising costs of wages, energy, and rents further pressure businesses to look outward.
At the same time, the global coffee market is booming, projected to hit 155 billion dollars by 2030, while food service exceeds 4 trillion dollars. Add the international appetite for Mediterranean cuisine and the strong association of Greece with quality, and the timing seems ideal.
With over 33 million visitors tasting Greece in 2023 alone, demand is increasingly global. Now, Greek chains are making sure that tourists don’t have to wait for their next holiday to relive those flavors.
