Coffee-first QSR chain eyes 5–6 more outlets in Kolkata this fiscal year as it targets deeper penetration across eastern India
Third Wave Coffee has marked its entry into East India with the launch of three new cafés in Kolkata, signalling a significant milestone in the coffee chain’s national expansion strategy and its growing focus on emerging specialty coffee markets. The coffee-first quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand has opened two cafés in Ballygunge and one in Salt Lake, making Kolkata its first city in eastern India. The simultaneous launch of three outlets represents one of the company’s largest city-entry initiatives to date and underscores its long-term commitment to the region.
The company plans to open an additional five to six cafés in Kolkata during the current financial year, further strengthening its presence in what it sees as a strategically important market for future growth. With more than 220 cafés across India, Third Wave Coffee said its expansion into Kolkata reflects rising consumer demand for specialty coffee and premium café experiences beyond the country’s traditional metropolitan hubs.
Kolkata’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant café culture and reputation as a city built around conversation and community make it a natural fit for the brand’s eastern debut. Positioned as community-led spaces, the new cafés have been designed to blend specialty coffee with Kolkata’s celebrated culture of adda. Customers can enjoy the brand’s signature brews, specialty single-origin coffees, artisanal baked goods, quick bites and curated food offerings, supported by a seamless technology-enabled experience through the Third Wave Coffee app.
The Kolkata outlets will also feature a range of menu additions tailored to local preferences, including breakfast favourites such as Turkish Eggs, Shakshuka, sourdough-based dishes and hearty lasagnas. Alongside its coffee offerings, the company is introducing Third Rush, its recently launched dessert-focused concept aimed at catering to late-evening indulgence. The menu includes items such as Jim Jam Tres Leches, layered cakes, stacks, tarts, pies, mousses and cheesecakes, expanding the brand’s proposition beyond beverages and reinforcing its ambition to create a more holistic café ecosystem.
Commenting on the launch, Rajat Luthra, Chief Executive Officer of Third Wave Coffee, said the company views Kolkata as one of the most important markets in East India and a key gateway for regional expansion.
“Kolkata is one of the most important markets in East India and we are excited to begin our journey in the region with a city that has such a strong affinity for culture, community and café experiences. Our East India expansion is pivotal to building our national footprint, and we see Kolkata evolving into one of our key markets over the coming years. We are committed to investing in the region and alongside deepening our presence in Kolkata, we are also evaluating opportunities in other cities such as Guwahati, Ranchi, Patna and Bhubaneswar as we deepen our market presence in the region,” he said.
The Kolkata expansion comes amid a period of accelerated growth for the Bengaluru-headquartered coffee chain. During FY26, Third Wave Coffee expanded into Ahmedabad and Agra, while also entering strategic transit locations such as the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway. The company simultaneously strengthened its footprint across established markets including Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Mysuru.
Building on this momentum, Third Wave Coffee plans to add 100 new cafés by FY27, taking its nationwide store count to approximately 320 outlets. The company said its expansion strategy will continue to be supported by investments in product innovation, operational excellence and customer experience, backed by its Food Innovation Lab and state-of-the-art roastery.
Founded in 2016 by Sushant Goel, Anirudh Sharma and Ayush Bathwal, Third Wave Coffee has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing specialty coffee brands. As competition intensifies in India’s premium café segment, the company is betting on a combination of quality coffee, curated food offerings, technology-led convenience and community-centric spaces to drive its next phase of growth, with East India now firmly on its expansion map.
