Coffee Planet, a specialty Arabica coffee roaster from Dubai, is opening 70 outlets across Saudi Arabia.
It recently signed a franchise agreement with HB Brands, founded by Hamdan Al-Bader and one of the largest F&B providers in Saudi Arabia, for its newly-designed coffee outlets. The 10-year agreement will enable customers to enjoy freshly-roasted, 100 percent Arabica speciality coffee with wholesome food, delivered in a relaxing environment.
The agreement was signed in Dubai in the presence of Robert Jones, managing director of Coffee Planet, and Martin Venter, chief operating officer of HB Brands. With franchise outlets in the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan and Malaysia, the new concept is aligned with Coffee Planet’s strategic aim to increase its global presence with passionate franchise partners who are dedicated to the brand’s commitment to help as many people experience the world’s finest Arabica coffee.
“We are delighted to partner with HB Brands in KSA,” said Jones. “We are convinced that their F&B expertise, combined with our coffee know-how will deliver a winning proposition for customers.”
Venter said: “We are extremely impressed with Coffee Planet’s quality and the brand that they have created. We are thrilled to lend our franchising expertise to their proposition to help Saudi residents enjoy what we consider to be the finest coffee we have ever tasted.”
Over its 26-year history, HB Brands has rolled-out Canton, TakoHut, RomaWay, Cinnabon, Wingstop, Sizzler House and Shawirmarito outlets. Its portfolio is already projected to reach 320 outlets by the end of August.
The new Coffee Planet outlet designs will merge modern Dubai with traditional Arabia. Other inspiration has been taken from their crop-to-cup ethos with warm, earthy tones, exposed brick, brass, black tiling and wood finishes. The UAE has been at the forefront of speciality coffee development within the GCC, and Saudi Arabia is projected to be the next big growth market. Both companies are looking to collaborate to provide a branded specialty coffee offering to compete with the coffee chains already operating in the Kingdom.
Coffee Planet outlets to open in KSA
Coffee Planet outlets to open in KSA
iCAUR V27 Saudi media test drive ignites excitement, conquering the Edge of the World!
iCAUR held a V27 media test drive event in Riyadh on Jan. 22.
Twelve local journalists and KOLs took four V27s to Saudi Arabia's famous natural landmark, the Edge of the World.
They got a hands-on experience of the Boxy Styled SUV’s classic style and advanced technology on challenging real-world roads.
In the morning, journalists and KOLs gathered in downtown Riyadh.
Through product briefings and interactive sessions, guests got an up-close look at the V27’s core technologies and design philosophy while enjoying a relaxed brunch, introducing iCAUR in detail.
Afterward, the test drive convoy left the city and drove roughly 200 km northwest to the Edge of the World.
During the drive, participants praised the V27’s smooth and quiet ride.
They also appreciated the 15.4-inch 3K HD touchscreen and the smart infotainment system powered by the 8155 chip.
Voice control for navigation, climate, and music was also highly appreciated.
The test drive destination, the Edge of the World, is located north of the Tuwaik Mountains, which stretches upto 1,000 km.
It is a steep cliff with a drop of about 300 meters and is one of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic natural wonders.
The nearly two-hour journey passes vast plains with almost no signal and few clear road signs. The desert is full of faint tire tracks and gullies eroded by rain.
In this environment, the V27’s power and off-road capability are fully showcased.
As iCAUR’s first mass-production model equipped with Golden REEV (Range-Extended Electric Vehicle), the V27 uses a 1.5T engine dedicated to range extension, with a thermal efficiency of 45.79% and the ability to generate 3.71kWh per liter of fuel.
This gives the V27 a combined range of over 1,000km, allowing it to handle long distances even in deserts and rugged terrains with limited refueling options.
The front and rear dual motors deliver a combined 455hp, enabling 0–100km/h acceleration in around 5 seconds, providing consistent and strong power on complex roads.
Tuned by the world-class Prodrive racing team and paired with the i-AWD (intelligent All-Wheel Drive) system, the V27 stays stable at high speeds.
It also delivers precise, controlled handling on gravel and uneven surfaces, delivering an exceptional driving feel for a 5-meter vehicle. This balance of performance and efficiency has been repeatedly highlighted by the media and KOLs during the event.
The first batch of iCAUR V27s has now been officially shipped to six Middle Eastern markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
The Middle East will serve as the global debut region for the V27, with launches in the UAE and Bahrain in February, followed by Saudi Arabia in March.
Before the official launch, iCAUR will roll out a series of activities in Saudi Arabia, including mall displays and showroom openings, allowing media and users to get up close with this new energy classic.
The showrooms will also feature the AiMOGA humanoid robot, powered by Chery Group’s latest AI technology. Stay tuned!
