Brewing Happiness with Progress and Purpose

Colombo, Monday 29th April 2024: In the fiscal year concluded in March 2024, Barista celebrated the opening of 11 new outlets across the country, accompanied by a remarkable two-fold growth in sales with the expansion while doubling their bottom line. Barista has also been a foreign-exchange earner, serving tourists at the outlets located in tourist hotspots, contributing to the country’s economy. This accomplishment stands as a testament to Barista’s resilience in the face of economic turbulence, tax shifts and policy reforms impacting the business landscape in the country. In light of these challenges, Barista takes pride in its performance, emphasizing the significance of this feat within the context of a demanding operational environment of the QSR industry.  Beyond the confines of financial performance, Barista upholds a triple-bottom line approach, prioritizing profit, planet and people, thereby making a positive impact on its stakeholders and the community at large. Barista strives to the achievement of sustainable growth and value creation with a focus on corporate stewardship, integrating the principles of environmental and social responsibility into its business strategies.

“As we look to the future, Barista remains steadfast in our commitment to leading with purpose. From sustainability initiatives to community partnerships and employee development, every decision we make is guided by Barista’s belief of doing well by doing good. Together, we will continue to brew progress, by making a meaningful difference for our employees, customers, investors, planet, and community and large” stated Dilupa Pathirana, Director/ CEO of Barista.

Barista’s commitment to sustainability is commendable, and their efforts have indeed yielded significant reductions in plastic waste. By adopting compostable Sugarcane lids, recyclable cold cups, paper straws, and glass water bottles, they’ve made substantial strides in minimizing their environmental impact. By introducing compostable Sugarcane lids in June 2023, Barista saved an impressive 2650 kg of plastic by March 2024. Moreover, by introducing recyclable cold cups and paper straws in August 2023, they further reduced Barista’s plastic footprint by 2041 kg and 128 kg respectively. Additionally, the switch to glass water bottles in 2021 saved 528 kg of plastic in the last financial year. Combining these efforts, Barista has successfully saved a total of 5.35 tons of plastic, showcasing their dedication to sustainability across all aspects of their operations.

Such initiatives not only benefit the environment but also set a positive example for others in the industry to follow. By acting swiftly to implement these changes, Barista has prevented a significant amount of plastic waste from ending up in environments like the fields and oceans of Sri Lanka. Their proactive approach demonstrates the positive impact that businesses can have when they prioritize sustainability.

Beyond environmental initiatives, Barista is deeply invested in supporting communities and fostering inclusivity. Barista’s partnership with #Fems, Hemas Consumer Brands in March 2024, has brought free sanitary napkin dispenser units to all Barista outlets, with over 2500 napkins already utilized in just a month. This groundbreaking initiative not only promotes women’s health but also works towards breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation. By providing a supportive environment for women, both customers and employees alike, Barista strives to create a more inclusive and compassionate society.

In a testament to its community spirit, Barista’s “Share a Meal” campaign with the SOS Children Villages in December 2023 garnered overwhelming support from customers, raising a staggering total of LKR 2,705,458/-. Through the purchase of Bauble coupons priced at Rs. 300, equivalent to feeding one child for an entire day, and direct donations, customers rallied together to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Additionally, 10% of Barista’s entire Christmas menu proceeds were dedicated to the cause, amplifying the campaign’s reach and impact.

Barista Sri Lanka has also made a generous contribution to the “Books Bring Smile” campaign, backing the Pick a Book initiative that advocates for literacy and offers reading materials to those lacking access. Last fiscal year, they donated nearly 200 books, further highlighting their commitment to this cause. Their donation will greatly aid in spreading the joy of reading and fostering a beneficial influence within the community.

At Barista, they recognized that their employees are their greatest asset. That’s why they are committed to investing in their growth and development. Through initiatives like the Barista Academy and vocational training programs, Barista equips the workforce with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles. In the past year alone, the Barista Academy has provided comprehensive learning opportunities to Barista’s entire workforce, ensuring that they not only serve great coffee but also embody Barista’s values of excellence and integrity.

Barista also offers Sri Lanka’s first ever and only TVEC-approved NVQ level 3 Professional Barista training program. In the last financial year 54 students graduated from the program.  Moreover, with the Training and Development received from Barista, many students were able to gain job opportunities in Middle Eastern countries.

Central to the success is Barista’s unwavering dedication to engaging with Barista’s customers authentically. Barista’s loyalty program continues to foster strong relationships with Barista’s most loyal customers. With over 85,000 loyalty members, in the last financial year Barista gained 40,000 loyalty members and a total of 10,026,429 points were earned and 5,431,654 points burned by customers.

As Barista continues its journey, guided by the principles of happiness, purpose and progress, it serves as a testament to the transformative power of business when driven by a commitment to people, planet, and prosperity. Barista is committed to being more than just a coffee provider; they are dedicated to being a responsible business that actively contributes to shaping a sustainable future.