Barista, owned by Italian company Lavazza, is looking to form strategic partnerships or franchise agreements to help grow its cafe business in India. It is considering appointing master franchisees to help expand, as competition in the Indian coffee market is increasing with the entry of global brands like Starbucks and Costa Coffee. Barista has struggled to be profitable in India and has closed some underperforming locations. It is exploring options like franchising to improve efficiency and control while continuing to grow in the Indian market.