Two brothers have opened the second branch of the Pakistani tea brand “Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan” in Tooting, South London, set in an exquisite Pakistani cultural environment, featuring truck art and a mini library of Urdu books.
Since opening its first branch in East London two years ago, Arshad Khan Chaiwala has been expanding rapidly and plans to open a third branch in West London after Ramadan.
The Tooting branch was opened by two brothers, Asif Khaliq and Yousuf Khaliq, originally from Karachi, who run several medium-sized businesses in South London, including food shops and snooker clubs.
They said: “We have invested over £250,000 in our Pakistani chai brand not just to be profitable, but to promote Pakistani culture and brands. Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan perfectly fits into that vision.”
“He is known worldwide as an internet sensation and a brand ambassador for Pakistan. We decided to open the café in Tooting because there is a large, growing, and successful Asian community here, and they were looking for an authentic chai and street food spot.”
Asif and Yousuf noted that after Khan’s story went viral, many Indian and Pakistani businessmen opened chai cafés, but many stole the concept without giving credit to the man behind the sensation.
They emphasized that it was a Pakistani street tea seller who became globally famous and made chai popular.
The café serves various popular Pakistani and Indian street foods, including parathas, tikka, aaloo kebabs, biscuits, and lassi.
Just nine years ago, Khan was a poor teenager selling chai at a roadside stall in Islamabad with no prospects of a prosperous life.
Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine becoming a global social media sensation, a fashion icon, and a brand and franchise owner in places like London.
It all began when photographer Javeria Ali took a casual photo of him in October 2016 while he was serving tea, which she posted on Instagram with the caption “Hot Tea.”
Khan’s striking looks, blue eyes, and serious expression made him an overnight sensation.
