Chaiiwala said it used the pop-ups to introduce the brand to local consumers as well as prospective franchisees.
Founded in Leicester in 2015, Chaiiwala is a fast casual concept known for its karak chai and street food-inspired menu.
The brand offers an alternative across multiple dayparts – from breakfast roti wraps in the morning to Bombay bowls and toasties throughout the day, as well as sweet treats.
“2026 is going to be a big year for Chaiiwala in North America. With 23 stores in Canada, the US is a natural next step for the business and we have identified multiple opportunities across different states with proven operators who recognise the demand for our authentic street food-style menu and karak chai,” says Nazibur Rahman, Chaiiwala country manager, US and Canada.
“Our recent pop-up was a first taster for consumers in Houston – a city that we believe has great potential for Chaiiwala in the short term – and a total success. Now, we are focused on continuing our conversations with local partners and franchisees and bringing our high-quality, authentic menu to the market with a permanent site.”
Last year, Chaiiwala put out a call to potential franchisees as it looked to crack Texas, which is the second most populous US state and also has a high and growing Indian population.
Still overseen by founders Sohail Ali, Muhummed Ibrahim and Mustafa Ismail, Chaiiwala has around 115 sites across the UK, 23 in Canada and a handful in Dubai.