Pakistan’s viral tea seller-turned-entrepreneur Arshad Khan is taking his Café Chaiwala brand further across Britain with the opening of a new branch in Sutton, South London.
The new outlet was launched under the leadership of British-Pakistani businessman Asif Khalique, the UK master franchise holder and director of Café Chaiwala Sutton Limited. The opening attracted members of the local community, business representatives, as well as Sutton’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
The Sutton branch marks another step in the expansion of the Pakistani café brand, which aims to bring traditional Pakistani chai, food and hospitality to customers across the United Kingdom.
More Café Chaiwala Branches Planned
Asif Khalique said the brand is preparing for rapid expansion in Britain, with four additional outlets expected to open soon.
According to Khalique, branches are planned for Norbury, Leyton and New Malden within the coming weeks, while further locations are also being considered.
He said there is strong demand for the brand across the UK and Europe, reflecting growing interest in Pakistani food and café culture.
Khalique previously launched the brand’s successful Tooting branch with his brother Yousuf Khalique around three years ago.
Bringing Pakistani Chai Culture to Britain
Café Chaiwala’s menu is built around traditional Pakistani tea and street-food favourites.
Khalique said chai remains at the heart of the business, with customers able to choose from several varieties, including Karak Chai, Doodh Patti, Gurr Chai, Kashmiri Chai, Masala Chai, Badami Chai, Honey Malai Chai and Peshawari Kahwa.
However, the café is not limited to tea.
Its food menu includes popular Pakistani dishes such as halwa puri and chana, freshly prepared parathas, desi omelettes, Lahori chanay, seekh kebab paratha rolls, samosa chaat and shami anda burgers.
Khalique said the aim is to offer customers more than just a cup of tea by creating an environment where they can experience Pakistani flavours, food and hospitality.
He also highlighted the diversity of the café’s customers, saying people from different communities have responded positively to the brand.
Arshad Khan Welcomes UK Expansion
Arshad Khan, whose image and name are closely associated with the brand, expressed his happiness over the Sutton opening.
He praised Asif Khalique for his commitment to expanding Café Chaiwala and said the new branch represents another important milestone for the business.
Khan also encouraged people in Britain who are interested in opening a Café Chaiwala franchise or working with the brand to contact Khalique and his team.
The entrepreneur said the wider expansion aims to create jobs, promote Pakistani culture and introduce the taste of Pakistani chai and street food to more communities across Britain.
From Islamabad Tea Seller to International Entrepreneur
Arshad Khan’s journey to international business began in 2016, when a photograph of him serving tea at a roadside stall in Islamabad went viral on social media.
Photographer Javeria Ali captured the image, which quickly attracted widespread attention because of Khan’s appearance and striking blue eyes.
At the time, Khan was a teenage tea seller. His sudden popularity led to television appearances, modelling opportunities and eventually business ventures.
His transformation from a roadside tea seller into an entrepreneur became one of Pakistan’s widely recognised viral success stories.
Café Chaiwala’s Growing International Footprint
Khan later moved into the café business, with the brand expanding beyond Pakistan and establishing a presence in Britain.
The first Café Chaiwala branch in Ilford, East London, opened around four years ago. However, the business relationship surrounding that outlet later became the subject of a dispute.
According to the information provided, Khan subsequently ended his relationship with the Ilford business owners over alleged contractual violations and transferred full master franchise rights to Asif Khalique.
Khalique, who operates several businesses in London and Karachi, is now leading the brand’s wider UK expansion.
Legal Dispute Over Ilford Branch
The expansion comes as a separate legal dispute involving the Ilford branch continues.
Arshad Khan has taken the former Ilford business owners to the London High Court, alleging copyright infringement and non-payment of royalties.
These allegations are part of an ongoing legal dispute, and the claims should be understood as allegations unless and until established through the relevant legal process.
Meanwhile, the Sutton opening signals the brand’s intention to continue expanding its presence in the UK.
Pakistani Food Brand Targets Wider UK Audience
With additional branches planned, Café Chaiwala is seeking to position itself as more than a Pakistani-focused café.
Khalique has said the long-term ambition is to make Café Chaiwala a mainstream British brand while retaining its Pakistani identity.
The brand’s combination of traditional chai, Pakistani street food and a culturally inspired café atmosphere is being used as the foundation for its expansion.
For Arshad Khan, the Sutton launch represents another stage in a journey that began with a viral photograph at a tea stall in Islamabad and has now developed into an international business venture.
As more outlets prepare to open across Britain, Café Chaiwala will look to build on its existing customer base while introducing Pakistani tea culture and cuisine to new communities.
Also read: Lahore Cafe Sparks Anger with PKR 2200 Cheesecake Slice
