Black Sheep Coffee has signed three new franchise development agreements to open at least 39 stores across Greater London, East and West Sussex and the South West of England.

The agreements are expected to increase the coffee chain's store count by more than 30%, strengthening its presence in existing markets while expanding into new territories.

The expansion includes 14 stores across Greater London, 12 in East and West Sussex and 13 across Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

Under the Greater London agreement, Black Sheep Coffee plans to open at least 14 stores over the next five years through a new franchise partner. The agreement covers Sutton, Croydon, Lewisham, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Haringey and Enfield, meaning the company now has franchise partners covering every London borough.

In East and West Sussex, the company has agreed to develop at least 12 stores with existing franchise partners Stuart Carter, Farouk Somani and Ali Cheval, who have worked with the brand for three years and currently operate its Bluewater location.

Black Sheep Coffee currently operates two sites at Gatwick Airport within the territory. The new agreement will extend its presence into high streets, shopping centres and retail parks across both counties.

Meanwhile, an existing franchise partner in the South West has extended its agreement to develop at least 13 additional stores across Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. The partner has recently opened locations in Plymouth and Exeter, with the expansion set to build on the chain's existing presence in Bristol.

Across all three territories, the new stores will target high-footfall locations, including high streets, shopping centres, business centres and retail parks, catering to commuters, young professionals, students and local communities.

Gabriel Shohet and Eirik Holth, co-founders of Black Sheep Coffee, said: "We’re thrilled to double down in London where our journey started, and to bring Black Sheep to many exciting new markets across Southern England".

"None of this would be possible without our exceptional franchise partners who live and breathe Black Sheep and deliver our distinctive products and customer experience in their communities."

The new locations will offer Black Sheep Coffee's specialty-grade 100% robusta coffee alongside its Arabica range, matcha, cold drinks and food options.