Expansion of international food service franchises continues to grow

by Ainsley Ingram April 23, 2022

written by Ainsley Ingram April 23, 2022

Author: Eddy Goldberg Chapter 629

In April 2022, the third year of life in the cloud of the Covid pandemic begins. (No news, only the result remains). Yet, as we’ve said in previous issues, global businesses have learned to adapt. While Covid-related issues such as supply chain and labor issues persist, people still need to eat. This month, the international offer focuses on food: ice cream, pizza, bubble tea, chicken, hamburgers and coffee…, as well as a German hotel group with big expansion plans.

Baskin-Robbins and master licensee Galadari Ice Cream Company opened their 1,000th store in the Middle East, North Africa and Australia on March 10. “I couldn’t be prouder of the strong ice cream business we’ve built around the world. United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Morocco, Jordan and Australia,” said Ahmed Osman, CEO of Galadar.
California Pizza Kitchen has signed two new international development agreements and plans to open 7 international restaurants and 2 airport sites by the end of the year. Recently signed deals include deals in Costa Rica and Chile, bringing the brand’s locations to nearly 50 restaurants overseas. In addition, new offices will be opened in India, Chile, Costa Rica, Canada (Alberta) and airports in Santiago de Chile and Costa Rica, San José.
Gong Cha plans to expand with 17 bubble tea shops in Australia this year, adding 118 to the country’s existing operations. The plans are part of a wider international expansion target for 2022, which includes New York, with 25 additional stores planned; Mexico, where the company plans to nearly double the number of stores to 51); and the Philippines, where 34 new stores are planned. Gong Challa had 1,661 stores globally at the end of 2021, including 90 new stores in Japan.
Popeyes has announced plans to open hundreds of new restaurants in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan under a deal with Jubilant Foodworks Limited. Jubilant Foodworks, part of the Jubilant Bhartia group, is one of India’s largest foodservice companies and holds significant franchise rights to Domino’s Pizza and Dunkin’ Donuts. He also has his own brands, Hong’s Kitchen, Chef Boss and Ekdum! In India. In total, the company has more than 1,300 points of sale.
Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen has signed a franchise agreement for five units in Qatar. Based in Texas, Russo’s has more than 50 outlets in the United States and 8 restaurants in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. The inaugural restaurant will open immediately in November 2022 (during the pre-World Cup in the country) and is located in the Doha Oasis mixed-use area.
AG Café, Tim Café’s main franchise in the Middle East, has announced plans to expand the brand’s presence in the region to more than 200 cafes by 2024. AG currently has 90 cafes in Saudi Arabia and a total over 190 Tim Hortons locations worldwide. GCC. The company plans to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, and soon in Kuwait and Egypt.
TUI Blue has announced plans to expand to over 300 hotels worldwide. According to the company, the focus is on developing new expansion areas in Southeast Asia, China, Africa and the Middle East. An important element of its future growth strategy is international partnerships in which TUI Blue hotels are operated by management agreement or by franchisees.
Wendy’s will launch breakfast across Canada on May 2. In addition to other menus tailored to local tastes, the company offers a medium roast coffee blend specially designed for Canadian customers. “Our culinary team used 2 years of extensive research to come up with this breakfast menu,” said Hayley Kianoff, Director of International Culinary Innovation for Wendy’s. “We tested 15 different menu concepts with over 3,700 Canadian express customers to make sure we got it right.”