London-based specialty coffee chain Black Sheep Coffee is actively seeking an exclusive franchise partner to lead its expansion into the Republic of Ireland, as reported by the Irish Independent.

The move follows the near-complete assignment of available franchise territories across the UK, where the brand has grown to more than 120 stores in seven years. With domestic franchise capacity approaching saturation, Ireland represents the next major market in the company's international growth strategy.

Lewis Blakey, head of franchising at Black Sheep Coffee, said: "We've seen incredible demand from franchise partners across the UK over the past few years, and we're now at the point where almost all of our available territories have been committed. We're looking for one experienced partner who understands the Irish market, shares our entrepreneurial mindset and wants to build Black Sheep Coffee across the country over the long term."

The Ireland expansion builds on the brand's foothold in Northern Ireland, where two stores have been operating successfully, demonstrating consumer demand for the Black Sheep Coffee proposition on the island. The Belfast flagship, which opened in February 2025 at the Pearl Assurance building on Donegall Square East, represented a £1 million (€1.2 million) investment by Bannon and Bannon Property Holdings and created 14 full and part-time jobs.

Black Sheep Coffee was founded in London in 2013 by Gabriel Shohet and Eirik Holth and is known for its 100% specialty-grade Robusta coffee, a bean variety distinct from the Arabica used by most mainstream chains. The brand's international footprint already spans the UK, USA, and the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

The company is also planning a new European market launch, with hundreds of additional stores in the pipeline globally as it accelerates franchise-led growth across multiple territories simultaneously.

The search for a single exclusive partner for the Republic of Ireland reflects a deliberate operational model, concentrating market knowledge, investment, and brand accountability within one experienced operator rather than fragmenting the rollout across multiple franchisees, an approach designed to maintain service consistency and brand standards at pace.

Ireland's premium coffee market has seen intensifying competition in recent years, with international chains including Joe and The Juice having recently made their Irish debut, and established domestic operators continuing to expand their networks across the country.