French Connection first opened its doors in November 1997 on the now very popular Sheikh Zayed road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The founder, with his vast experience and background in operating different types of business in Dubai since the country’s inception, opened French Connection after he saw an opportunity in the market for a different type of coffee shop. Consequently, French Connection was the first trendy designed café in Dubai and the first stand alone café on Sheikh Zayed road i.e. not part of a hotel.

Originally the outlet was intended to be a popular coffee shop chain from Europe. However, due to the entrepreneurial mindset of the owner, it was immediately changed to French Connection Café with the entire concept being created locally.

The rough cast renders of Picasso interpretations on its divider walls have become part of French Connection Café’s trademark. It has since become one of the most popular café’s in Dubai. Credit should also be given to its perseverance in serving exceptionally consistent high quality and variety of cold and hot beverages, homemade bakery goods and café food.

The flagship store on Sheikh Zayed road mostly catered on the Emirates Airline’s crew in the beginning years but due to its immense success, it has since become a hotspot for both business executives and anyone who loves the café culture. French Connection further expanded to a second outlet in January 2000 in Center point apartment building in Karama , Dubai. In January 2003, French Connection opened a bakery isolated from both outlets in Dubai to cater to both locations.

The name French Connection was chosen because of its French bakery products and pastries and its original plan to provide internet to its list of services in 1997 (hence the word Connection). However, due to strict regulations from the local provider at the time, internet was never introduced into the scheme in 1997. It was not until July 2003 that French Connection revolutionized the café culture in the Middle East by introducing free wireless internet access from any spot within its premises in its flagship outlet on Sheikh Zayed road. In order to standardize the French Connection café concept, the Centre Point outlet offered free internet service shortly after May 2004.