Master Franchise Agreement for the UAE

Summary by AI ^BETAClose X

Cooks Coffee Company Limited has announced a significant 10-year Master Franchise Agreement for the United Arab Emirates, a market projected to grow at 10%-12% annually. This agreement mandates the opening of at least 50 Esquires Coffee outlets within the UAE, leveraging the expertise of the UK-based franchisees who operate multiple stores in Southeast England. This expansion into the UAE represents a key step in the Group's international growth strategy, aiming to further develop the Esquires Coffee brand in a region experiencing strong demand driven by tourism and a growing expatriate population.

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Cooks Coffee Company Limited

26 January 2026

Cooks Coffee Company Limited

("Cooks Coffee", or the "Company" or the "Group")

Master Franchise Agreement for the UAE

Cooks Coffee Company (NZX:CCC; AQUIS:COOK), the international coffee focused café chain, is pleased to announce that Esquires Coffee has entered into a Master Franchise Agreement ("MFA") for the United Arab Emirates ("UAE").

The UAE is one of the fastest growing markets for speciality coffee outlets globally with the growth projected to be 10%-12% p.a. driven by expanding tourism and high expat population growth fuelling demand.¹

The MFA is a 10-year agreement, with a right of renewal ("ROR"), and provides for the opening of a minimum of 50 Esquires Coffee outlets in the UAE over the term of the agreement. The parties to the agreement are successful operators in the UK with multiple stores in the Southeast of England.

This agreement represents a further step in the Group's international expansion strategy and supports the continued growth of the Esquires Coffee brand in key global markets.

Keith Jackson, Chairman of Cooks Coffee Company, commented: "This Master Franchise Agreement marks another important milestone in the international development of the Esquires Coffee brand. The UAE represents an attractive market, and we look forward to growing the brand in the region over the coming years."

Further announcements will be made as appropriate.

¹ Grand View Research, UAE Specialty Coffee Market - Horizon Outlook. The report forecasts the UAE specialty coffee market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10.6% between 2024 and 2030, driven by increasing demand for premium coffee, café culture expansion, and a growing expatriate population. Source: Grand View Research

Enquiries:

Cooks Coffee Company Limited	+64 21 702 509 (New Zealand)
Keith Jackson (Executive Chairman)	keith.jackson@cookscoffeecompany.com
Aiden Keegan (Chief Executive)	+44 (0) 7980 608 440 (UK) aiden@esquirescoffee.co.uk +44 (0) 20 3934 6630 (UK)
	ukinvestorrelations@cookscoffeecompany.com
IFC Advisory Limited (Financial PR & IR)	+44 (0) 20 3934 6630
Graham Herring, Zach Cohen	cookscoffee@investor-focus.co.uk
Allenby Capital (AQSE Corporate Adviser and Broker)	+44 (0) 20 3179 5300
James Reeve, Nick Harriss Tony Quirke (Sales and Corporate Broking)

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