Franchising

Arby's inks master agreement for Saudi Arabia

Provided

January 31, 2022

Arby's has signed an exclusive development agreement with Shahia Foods Limited Company for expansion across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The first restaurants are slated to open in late 2022. This agreement marks the brand's first-ever entry into Saudi Arabia and largest expansion into the Middle East to-date, according to a company press release.

Shahia Foods Limited Company is also the master licensee for Dunkin' in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The company operates more than 500 Dunkin' locations across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Germany.

"Arby's differentiated market positioning and convenient guest experience are a perfect complement to our thriving Dunkin' business," Saud Abdullah Al Athel, CEO of Shahia Foods Limited Company, in the release. "With a wide variety of delicious meat stacks served fresh every day, the brand is uniquely positioned to meet local preferences and will resonate strongly with Saudi guests."

Arby's operates more than 3,500 restaurants globally, including more than 150 locations across Canada, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, and Egypt.

"We are thrilled to expand our strong relationship with Shahia Foods to bring Arby's premium meat stacks to guests across Saudi Arabia," Michael Haley, president and managing director of international for Inspire Brands, said in the release. "As a fast-growing region with the potential for hundreds of Arby's locations, the Middle East is an important cornerstone in the next chapter of the brand's global expansion. We are confident in Arby's runway for continued growth across the region and beyond."