Starbucks officially announces entry into Georgia, first store to open in Tbilisi in 2026
Photo: Enterprise Georgia
Starbucks has officially announced its entry into Georgia, with branded stores to open in partnership with Alshaya Group, one of the world’s largest licensed Starbucks partners.
The first Starbucks location is scheduled to open in summer 2026 in Tbilisi, on Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue at Axis Towers. Further expansion is planned in the following months, not only in Tbilisi but also in other cities across Georgia.
The entry of Starbucks marks a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion and strengthens Alshaya Group’s presence in the Eurasian region.
The project is expected to support local employment and contribute to Georgia’s economic and social development.
The launch was facilitated with the support of the Enterprise Georgia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the Georgian Embassy in Kuwait, and the Turkish Embassy in Georgia.
Saleh Alshaya, Starbucks President at Alshaya Group, said the company was proud to introduce the brand to Georgian coffee consumers, noting strong expectations driven by the country’s developed café culture and dynamic consumer environment.
He added that the initiative would promote high-quality service, support local suppliers, and create new employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, Duncan Moir, Starbucks President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, stated that after operating in more than 90 countries, the partnership with Alshaya Group allows the company to offer its coffee experience to new customers in Georgia. He added that the move will contribute to the region’s growing coffee culture, help build new connections, and support investment in local communities.
Mikheil Khidureli, Director of Enterprise Georgia, said negotiations with Alshaya Group were successfully completed following several years of active work, including the involvement of the Georgian Embassy in Kuwait. He noted that the process included multiple visits by senior company delegations, in-depth market research, site inspections, and meetings with potential partners. According to Khidureli, the arrival of one of the world’s most recognized brands will create jobs, improve service standards, and further enhance Georgia’s investment attractiveness.
Alshaya Group currently operates more than 800 Starbucks locations across Eurasia, including in Turkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and countries in the Middle East. Overall, the company manages around 2,000 Starbucks stores across 13 markets.
Founded in 1971, Starbucks is one of the world’s leading specialty coffee providers. Today, the company operates a global network of more than 40,000 stores.
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