Our Cover Story: The Success Journey of Uğur Baştan, Chairman of UB Group
In today’s construction and service industries, it is rare to come across such inspiring success stories. The story of Uğur Baştan, Chairman of the Board of UB Group, is one of those rare examples. In 2017, he moved from Istanbul back to his hometown of Sakarya, where he has since made a name for himself through groundbreaking projects in both the construction and coffee sectors.
Enjoy the read...
Hello Mr. Baştan, can you briefly introduce yourself?
Hello... I’m 35 years old, married, and the father of three sons. I graduated with a degree in Public Administration and Political Science. I was born and raised in Istanbul, but my roots are in Sakarya. My main profession is construction and real estate; I work as a contractor on residential and commercial projects. I entered the world of business at an early age, with my first experience being a mobile phone dealership in Istanbul. I later had the opportunity to work for corporate firms for about five years. In 2017, I relocated to Sakarya, where I continue to live today.
How did you get started in the construction industry?
My journey into construction began while working in corporate real estate sales in Istanbul, selling properties to both local and foreign clients. At that time, I also started investing in real estate using my own savings. Eventually, I thought, "Why not build my own projects?" But I quickly realized that thinking it and doing it were two very different things. My first project was in 2017 in Sakarya: a unique development of 24 private villas. Living in Istanbul and seeing countless projects there helped me identify the gaps in Sakarya’s real estate market. When you tailor projects to the needs and character of the region, demand naturally follows.
During my early years as a contractor, we went through the 2018 economic crisis, which made things even harder. I remember thinking, “I used to just buy and sell, no hassle. Contracting is definitely not as easy as it seems.” That reflection pushed me to reassess my direction. Wondering what the region really needed led me to the service sector. We developed a 20,000 m² social facility project that included wedding halls, football fields, and cafés. My logic was that no matter how bad the economy got, people would still get married, still want to play a match or hang out for an hour—small, consistent income over big, risky investments. The project turned out great. But just two months after completing it... the pandemic hit, and we had to shut it down. The facility was inactive for almost two years.
How did the pandemic affect your business?
The COVID restrictions made operating the facility impossible. Meanwhile, our villa project had gained quite a bit of attention, and clients began asking, “Aren’t you going to build more housing?” Construction was still allowed during the pandemic, and since I’m someone who finds it hard to sit still, I resumed contracting. In about two years, we completed 250 independent units across 14 different projects. Eventually, the facility also reopened, and everything was going well—until inflation and rising costs significantly reduced profit margins in construction. That led me to pause new construction projects.
Are there any ongoing construction projects?
Yes, we’re currently building an industrial and commercial complex consisting of 78 independent units. The rough construction is almost complete, and we aim to finish it in 3–4 months. Additionally, we have two new projects on the way. One is an open-air shopping center on a 6,000 m² plot, comprising about 37 stores. The other is a large-scale organized industrial zone project in downtown Adapazarı, with approximately 110 factory units, each 500 m². We're currently finalizing groundwork and permits and plan to start construction by the end of the year.
How did you return to the service sector?
I believe strategic timing is everything in business. As construction costs and inflation continued rising in 2022, I decided it was time to return to smaller, more frequent income streams. The pandemic created global uncertainty, making it even harder for business owners. With interest rates, inflation, and other pressures mounting, consumer behavior shifted toward consumption. I also believe the long periods spent at home during lockdown increased demand for food and beverage venues. That’s when I started to research new opportunities in the hospitality sector.
How did you discover EspressoLab?
As I distanced myself from construction, my interest in the service industry grew. I was particularly intrigued by the new-generation coffee scene. I discovered EspressoLab in 2022, and I was immediately impressed by the quality of their products and services. We opened our first store in Akyazı, Sakarya, and it performed really well. That success motivated us to expand. We then opened branches in Hendek and Karasu (Sakarya), Umuttepe (Kocaeli), and even in Bodrum Marina. Today, we have 10 active stores and are planning to open 10 more. Our franchise agreement with the brand includes a total of 20 stores.
What are your future plans with EspressoLab?
We currently have agreements for 20 stores, 10 of which are already operational. We're continuing to expand in Sakarya and Kocaeli and are planning to open new stores in Istanbul’s Anatolian side and in Ankara. By 2025, we aim to complete all 20 stores. Additionally, we’re preparing to open our first international branch in London. We’ve already begun taking steps in that direction and hope to launch the first location soon. EspressoLab is rapidly growing abroad, and we plan to increase the number of locations in London just as we have done here.
What do you think is the secret behind EspressoLab’s success?
EspressoLab is built on a foundation of quality and attention to detail. The brand operates with strong back-end systems and daily fresh product deliveries, placing a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction. Each store has a unique and thoughtfully designed concept. The positive feedback we receive from customers motivates us to constantly improve. EspressoLab is owned by the Kocadağ family, who also own the well-known Sütiş brand. Their legacy and expertise continue to elevate EspressoLab. For example, they use fresh milk from their own farms, and products are delivered daily—this is a major advantage in the sector. EspressoLab has managed its branding process exceptionally well, and I believe this entirely local brand will continue to rise globally. We aim to grow alongside EspressoLab as we pursue our future goals.
You just opened the Strada Meydan AVM branch in Yuvacık. What makes this one special?
Each of our stores has its own style and decoration. EspressoLab’s architects design unique concepts for every location. All of them feature premium products, original designs, and no expense spared. Just like their beverages, the brand is equally committed to quality in its interiors. Cleanliness and hygiene are among the defining characteristics of our stores—you’ll never see a dirty or neglected space. Strada Meydan AVM is a particularly exciting location for us. We opened a two-story, 650 m² store there, and it's an excellent place to experience the full EspressoLab vibe.
And what about the new EspressoLab store at Başiskele Seaside?
Among all our current stores, the upcoming location at Başiskele Seaside will be our largest and most impressive. It’s a massive coffee shop and lifestyle center being built from scratch, far beyond ordinary standards. It will feature fire pits, workshop areas, diverse seating arrangements, and a designer coffee bar—everything has been meticulously planned. We believe it will attract visitors not only from Kocaeli but from surrounding cities as well. These days, people want more than just a cup of coffee—they want an experience. EspressoLab’s store concepts are perfect for that. We're confident this new store will meet the region’s social lifestyle needs. Hopefully, we’ll complete the construction soon and welcome our guests.