Tête-À-Tea With Sachin Pabreja: An Engaging Conversation About Brewing Success and Bold Visions with Barista CEO Rajat Agrawal

Barista Coffee Company, established in 2000, is a pioneer of café culture in India, offering an authentic Italian coffee experience. It stands out for its use of 100% Arabica beans, ensuring high-quality brews. With over 450+ outlets across India and neighbouring countries, Barista has adapted to evolving customer preferences by introducing diverse formats like the Barista Diner and Vending machines vertical. The brand’s commitment to innovation and customer engagement has solidified its position as India’s second-largest coffee chain, with plans to expand to 800+ cafés over the next 3-4 years.

1. What first inspired you to dive into the world of coffee and how does your personal story influence the way you run your cafés'?

Rajat Agrawal: My journey with Barista began as a task to improve upon the existing and settle the business as a special project. A deeper involvement entailed an understanding of the business and got me passionate about F&B, this is how the entire journey started from being involved in one domain of business to today managing this in its entirety. My personal story thus far has been about commitment and autonomy to lead, I have tried to replicate the same with my team, giving them autonomy and supporting them on their KRAs.

2. How does your café reflect the culture and character of the neighborhood it’s in?

Rajat Agrawal: The Café business is a neighborhood phenomenon, as a chain you can’t take each neighborhood differently when it comes to brand positioning, however few adaptations on outlet planning which is adaptive to the users, a corporate location/ Highstreet more adaptive to working population, Mall and Highway are heavier on comfort seating and lounging. Store operating timings are also driven largely by the audience and demography types. Premium locations may have food variants that are more upscale and suited to the audience and may not be available at all stores.

3. How do you see the role of cafés evolving in modern society?

Rajat Agrawal: Cafés in modern society have transformed into multifaceted spaces that go beyond just providing food and drink. They are cultural hubs, workspaces, wellness retreats, and agents for social change, all while adapting to technological advancements and the desires of modern consumers.

4. What unique challenges have you faced as a Barista CEO?

Rajat Agrawal: As a café CEO, there are numerous unique challenges that one would face in the dynamic and competitive food and beverage industry. These challenges often involve balancing operational efficiency, customer expectations, and long-term sustainability while staying ahead of industry trends. Being a legacy brand there are certain expectations from the consumers who have been with us in this journey for almost 2 decades and to service those expectations is not an easy task, to outperform them needs a lot of detailing and I am blessed to have a team which is prompt to respond to the ever dynamic changes.

5. What’s your approach to balancing precision with creativity in making the perfect cup of coffee?

Rajat Agrawal: Balancing precision with creativity in making the perfect cup of coffee is all about striking a harmonious blend between the art of brewing and creativity. Our baristas have been trained to the core to deliver a seamless experience day in and day out, making the perfect brew that the guest like and savor at their nearest Barista store. To be honest with 450+ points of presence, isn’t easy to replicate the same effort each time, kudos to the team and our trainers who have been doing this meticulously each day for years.

6. How would you describe the atmosphere of your café in three words?

Rajat Agrawal: It’s your Place.

7. What ethical considerations guide your choices in sourcing and serving coffee?

Rajat Agrawal: Quality and a Safe Environment are two foremost pieces that are very important to us as a brand, and we keep them in check each time we are in the market as buyers, not just for coffee but for all products we source.

8. Describe your perfect coffee-related day.

Rajat Agrawal: A cozy winter afternoon at a Barista Cafe all by myself on my iPad scribbling new ideas with an Americano powered by Barista.

As Barista continues to thrive under Rajat Agrawal’s leadership, the brand stays true to its roots while embracing innovation and expansion. With a strong legacy and an ambitious vision, Barista remains a symbol of quality and community for coffee lovers across India, Sri Lanka, and beyond.