Abhijeet Anand, a young entrepreneur with a degree from IIT Dhanbad, has set out to shake up the Indian coffee scene with his new startup, abCoffee. The company’s mission is simple: to provide high-quality, specialty coffee at prices that won’t break the bank. This is a welcome change for Indian coffee drinkers, who have often had to choose between mass-produced, instant coffee and expensive coffeeshop chains.

But what exactly is “affordable coffee”? According to abCoffee, it’s about offering specialty-grade coffee at a lower price point than other specialty coffee chains. They achieve this by using a quick-service restaurant (QSR) model with a focus on takeaways. This keeps their overhead costs low, which translates to lower prices for customers. For example, a cappuccino at abCoffee starts at Rs 97 for 250 ml, which is a significant discount compared to other specialty coffee shops.

So what makes abCoffee’s coffee special? It all starts with the beans. abCoffee sources its beans from Chikkamagaluru, a region in Karnataka known for its high-quality coffee. These beans are specialty-grade, which means they are handpicked, uniform, and free of defects. They are also rated above 80 points on a 100-point scale, ensuring a superior taste. abCoffee doesn’t stop there – they also use a special roasting process that caters to the Indian palate. This ensures that their coffee is not only high-quality, but also enjoyable for Indian coffee lovers.

Technology also plays a key role in abCoffee’s success. The company’s tech-enabled model is designed for grab-and-go efficiency. Customers can use an NFC touchpoint, QR code, or mobile app to order their coffee. This eliminates the need for long lines and waiting times. The coffee outlets themselves are designed to minimize wasted movement and ensure a quick turnaround time. This means that busy professionals and students can get their caffeine fix quickly and easily.

abCoffee’s innovative approach is catching on. The company currently has five outlets in Mumbai, and they are planning to expand to other cities across India. With its focus on quality, affordability, and convenience, abCoffee is well-positioned to become a major player in the Indian coffee market.

Here are some additional details that I found interesting:

abCoffee sources its coffee beans from farms in Chikkamagaluru, India, which are graded 85 on a 100-point scale. This is a very high quality rating for coffee beans.

abCoffee’s signature roast is designed to cater to the Indian palate. This means that it is likely to be a bit sweeter and less acidic than some other specialty coffees.