The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® (CBTL) and partner Al-Ghunaim Trading Co. have opened their 130th café in Kuwait, capping more than two decades of expansion that has turned a single Salmiya outlet launched December 16, 2004 into one of the country’s top premium café brands. Operating across a population of about five million, the business now employs over 1,135 people, standing as one of Al-Ghunaim’s most substantial market investments.
Steered by Chairman Abdulghani Al-Ghunaim through shifting tastes, the pandemic and regional challenges, the partnership has kept customer experience central while scaling nationwide. “This milestone reflects our customers’ trust and our team’s dedication. We’re proud of what we’ve built with CBTL and look forward to serving Kuwait further,” said Al-Ghunaim CEO Mishary Al-Ghunaim. CBTL CEO Ken Lingan noted the shared commitment to customers and sustainable growth, adding he was proud to mark the moment and continue the journey together.
Consistent quality and service have earned repeated recognition: in 2025, Service Hero Kuwait named CBTL Kuwait both First Café Award winner and a Top 10 Brand, its third straight year in the top tier across 900+ assessed brands. Beyond business, the firm contributes to community welfare, including a US$1 million donation to the Kuwait Emergency Response Fund in 2026. Ahead, both partners will focus on innovation, their people and operational excellence to reinforce market standing, measuring success by lasting customer preference and brand value.
