Jollibee Group's The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf brews first store in the Maldives

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL), the Jollibee Group’s flagship brand for coffee and tea, has marked another milestone in its international journey with the opening of its first café in the Maldives. The store, located along the beachfront of Hulhumalé’s Central Park, officially opened its doors on 15 September 2025.

The new café seats up to 35 guests and offers the brand’s signature Ice Blended drinks, specialty coffees, premium teas, and freshly prepared meals - all served against the backdrop of the island’s turquoise shores.

The space was designed as a warm retreat for both locals and travellers, reflecting CBTL’s enduring commitment to quality, community, and comfort.

Don't miss: JolliBINI returns as Jollibee launches new Cheesy Yumburger campaign

The new store is operated by Waterscape Investments, a franchisee committed to expanding the brand across the archipelago.

“We value our collaboration with Waterscape Investments, whose deep understanding of the local market and commitment to excellence mirrors our own values,” said Pepot Miñana, CEO of CBTL. “This is a significant milestone for us, and we are confident that together, we will create a unique and welcoming space where the people of the Maldives can enjoy our handcrafted beverages and experience the authentic flavours we’ve perfected over decades.”

“The Maldives is a world-renowned destination, and we are excited to bring The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf experience to its shores. This opening is part of our vision in CBTL to become one of the top specialty coffee and tea chains in the world,” Miñana added.

Founded in Southern California in 1963, CBTL pioneered the Original Ice Blended beverage in 1987, a drink that has since become a staple in global café culture. Today, the brand is headquartered in Asia and operates more than 1,200 stores across over 20 countries, with a reputation built on craftsmanship and ethical sourcing.

CBTL’s dedication to quality starts with its ingredients - selecting from the top 1% of Arabica beans sourced from leading coffee-growing regions and roasting them in small batches to highlight their unique character. Its tea offerings are equally meticulous, sourced from family-owned estates in Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, and Japan, and hand-blended for consistency and freshness.

For the Jollibee Group, which owns an 80% stake in CBTL, this latest expansion strengthens its presence in the premium café market while further advancing its ambition to spread joy through exceptional dining experiences across continents.

Related articles:
Jollibee eyes deeper Canadian collaboration to boost supply chain and growth
Jollibee says fraudulent third parties rigged 'burger blowout' promo
Philippines' Jollibee, KATSEYE roll out merch collab for North America