Omani company buys controlling stake in Swiss coffee house chain

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Omani hospitality company, Al Zaman Hospitality, a subsidiary of Al Zaman Group acquired a controlling stake in the Swiss coffee house chain Kaffee Klatsch.

Kaffee Klatsch is a traditional Swiss coffee house operating a chain of owned and franchised cafes, bistros and bakery stores at prime locations in Davos, Chur, Klosters, Rapperswil and Zurich.

Kaffee Klatsch, first launched 15 years ago in the picturesque mountain town of Davos famous for hosting the World Economic Forum every year, was the rainchild of Swiss entrepreneurs, Svea Meyer and Orlando Caeiro.

Both left successful careers with Starbucks and Moevenpick to take on the challenge of creating what has become a highly successful and acclaimed brand. Al Zaman is now on board as a major stake holder in Kaffee Klatsch and its strategy is to expand the success of Kaffee Klatsch across other major Swiss cities and towns. Switzerland has a strong coffee culture and the country is also known for top quality pastries and bakery products in Europe apart from the globally acclaimed Swiss chocolates.

“Al Zaman Hospitality shares our ambition for growth and we found a great partner in Al Zaman with their global hospitality and gastronomy expertise and experience for our shared vision,” said Kaffee Klatsch.

Khalid Mohammed Zaman, MD of Al Zaman Hospitality said, “Kaffee Klatsch is an iconic Swiss brand with a traditional yet a futuristic concept. Switzerland was a natural choice for us to expand our gastronomy businesses after England and Germany. Naturally, we are very pleased with the deal and we fully share the management ambition for growth and expansion.”

“For now, the expansion strategy remains targeted to Swiss territory but a roll-out plan for other major European cities is also under development. A global franchise model is under consideration as well as a downstream strategy,” he added.

The deal was concluded recently in Zurich and both parties maintained confidentiality about further details of the transaction. Swiss consulting firm Alyco and Zurich-based law firm Russo Vogle advised Al Zaman Hospitality on the transaction.