On October 8, Armenia’s Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan met with Starbucks-Alshaya Group Eurasia Vice President Figen Ilgaz and Property Director Hanzade Kugu to discuss the opportunities for Starbucks to enter the Armenian market. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister Anushik Avetisyan and Enterprise Armenia CEO Gohar Abajyan.
The visit was initiated and coordinated by Enterprise Armenia under the invitation of its Executive Director, Gohar Abajyan. As part of a two-day program, the Starbucks delegation is holding high-level meetings with government institutions and leading private-sector partners to evaluate opportunities for the brand’s potential entry into Armenia.
Starbucks-Alshaya Group Eurasia operates as a regional franchise partnership between Starbucks and the Alshaya Group, overseeing Starbucks locations across the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and Türkiye. Within the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, Starbucks operates through a regional franchising model, distinct from the licensing approach used elsewhere.
The delegation presented the company’s mission, noting that Starbucks has a presence in 86 countries with over 40,000 coffee shops and aims to expand its operations in the region.
The parties then discussed development opportunities in Armenia’s coffee shop sector, highlighting the existing potential in the field, possibilities for infrastructure improvement, the characteristics of Armenia’s coffee consumption market, and current growth trends. The delegation also highlighted Starbucks’ interest in expanding its presence in the Eurasia region, identifying Armenia as a promising new market.
“Attracting high-quality international investments is a priority for Armenia, and we value your visit as a promising step in that direction. Armenia offers a stable, open, and reform-oriented business environment, supported by a young and well-educated workforce, continuous growth in the tourism sector, and a dynamically developing and competitive consumer market,” said Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan.
During the meeting, the Minister expressed readiness to support the company’s entry into the Armenian market, emphasizing that such a move would also significantly contribute to increasing tourist flows to the country.
Armenia’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, double-digit tourism growth, and an increasingly sophisticated middle class are creating new opportunities for international consumer brands seeking sustainable expansion in the region. Enterprise Armenia’s broader strategy aims to position the country as a competitive and business-friendly environment where global companies can establish a long-term presence, scale efficiently, and collaborate with a government committed to supporting business success.
If successful, Starbucks’ potential entry could mark a significant milestone for Armenia’s retail and hospitality sectors, further integrating the country into the global consumer landscape.
