MAIR Group Has Acquired Majority Stake in Espressolab
The Abu Dhabi-based firm signed an agreement to purchase 70% of the Turkish coffee chain operator.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Coffee
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MAIR Group has reached a share purchase agreement to acquire a 70% stake in the coffee shop operator Eslab, which does business as Espressolab. The deal marks the first international acquisition for the firm, which listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in late 2024.
Why it matters
This strategic acquisition expands MAIR Group's footprint into the international hospitality and beverage sector by bringing a well-established global coffee brand under its portfolio. The partnership allows the existing leadership to maintain a minority interest while leveraging new corporate backing to support growth.
Espressolab operates more than 400 coffee shops across 21 countries, including 310 stores spread throughout 50 Turkish cities. The company was founded in 2014 and maintains a significant retail footprint.
The players
MAIR Group
This is an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm that listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in late 2024.
Eslab
This is the corporate entity operating the international coffee brand known as Espressolab.
The details
Under the terms of the agreement, MAIR Group will control the majority of the entity while Eslab founders and current shareholders retain 30% ownership. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Timeline
Espressolab was founded in 2014.
MAIR Group listed on the ADX in late 2024.
Espressolab operated over 400 shops as of August 2026.
The acquisition was officially announced on September 23, 2026.
Culture Shift
This deal underscores the ongoing trend of large investment firms diversifying their portfolios by acquiring established global consumer brands. The acquisition follows a pattern of institutional capital flowing into retail food and beverage sectors to gain immediate scale in the international market.
Customers can expect business as usual at their local Espressolab locations as the founders retain a stake in the company. The deal focuses on corporate ownership rather than immediate changes to store operations or menu offerings.
The takeaway
The transition to new majority ownership allows a scaling global brand to access the resources of a publicly traded investment firm. Consumers who frequent these shops can anticipate the brand maintaining its current operations as it integrates with its new corporate partners.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the global market at Coffee.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dubaibeat.
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