Jollibee's The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf marks 130th Kuwait café

Jollibee-owned The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) has reached 130 cafés in Kuwait, marking more than two decades of partnership with local operator Al-Ghunaim Trading Co.

The partnership dates back to 16 December 2004, when Al-Ghunaim Trading Co. opened CBTL’s first café in Salmiya. Since then, it has expanded the network across Kuwait, a market with a population of approximately five million.

The Kuwait business now employs more than 1,135 people across its cafés, operations and support functions. The expansion has taken place under the leadership of Abdulghani Al-Ghunaim, chairman of Al-Ghunaim Trading Co., who has guided the business through changing consumer preferences, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing regional uncertainty.

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“Reaching this milestone is a meaningful achievement for Al-Ghunaim Trading Co., but more importantly, it represents the trust our customers have placed in us and the dedication of the people who have built this business over more than two decades. We are proud of what we have achieved together with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and grateful to everyone who has contributed to this journey. We look forward to building on this strong foundation and continuing to serve our customers and communities across Kuwait,” said Mishary Al-Ghunaim, CEO of Al-Ghunaim Trading Co.

For CBTL, the milestone reflects the long-term relationship with its Kuwait partner and its focus on customer experience alongside network growth.

“Our partnership with Al-Ghunaim Trading Co. reflects a shared commitment to our customers, the brand and sustainable growth. We are proud to celebrate this milestone and look forward to continuing our journey together,” said Ken Lingan, CEO of CBTL.

Customer recognition has also featured in the brand’s Kuwait expansion. In 2025, CBTL Kuwait received the “First Café Award 2025” and was named among the “Top 10 Brands 2025” by Service Hero Kuwait, a customer satisfaction index covering more than 900 brands across 18 industries.

The recognition marked the third consecutive year CBTL Kuwait had been ranked among the country’s top-performing brands.

Beyond its café network, Al-Ghunaim Trading Co. has continued to invest in community initiatives. In 2026, the company made a US$1 million contribution to the Kuwait Emergency Response Fund.

The next phase of the partnership will focus on further strengthening CBTL’s presence in Kuwait, with continued investment in innovation, people and operational excellence. The companies said customer preference, network strength and brand equity will remain key areas of focus as the business develops.

CBTL is part of Jollibee Foods Corporation’s international portfolio, which spans 33 countries. Jollibee is also planning to separate its international business into Jollibee Foods Corporation International, with a potential Hong Kong listing, as it builds a distinct platform for further global expansion.

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