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Gymboree inks franchise deal in Middle East

March 23, 2010 By Pooja Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Children’s clothing sellerGymboree Corp. signed a deal to put franchises in the Middle East.

Stores in Dubai are supposed to open later this year.

San Francisco-based Gymboree (NASDAQ: GYMB) inked this deal with Azadea G Group Ltd.

Said Daher is CEO of Beirut-based Azadea Group Holding SAL, which owns Azadea G Group. The group operates 350 stores in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon and Romania.

Gymboree, led by CEO Matthew McCauley, has 960 retail stores as well as 655 “play and music” centers where babies and toddlers play in padded rooms and on soft equipment.

Filed Under: Franchise Business, Retail

American Eagle Outfitters Expands Internationally

March 23, 2010 By Pooja Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Opens First Stores Outside North America in the Middle East

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc . announced the opening of its first stores outside of North America. This month, flagship American Eagle Outfitters stores will open in Dubai and Kuwait City. This Middle East launch comes in cooperation with M.H. Alshaya Co., the leading retailer in the region, which last year signed a franchise agreement to open a series of American Eagle Outfitters stores in international markets over the next several years.

A new 9,400 square-foot American Eagle Outfitters store will open in Dubai on March 16 at a premier new location at Mirdiff City Centre. An 8,500 square-foot store will open in Kuwait City on March 25 at the Avenues Mall. Both stores will feature the casual lifestyle of the brand and provide the same high-quality, on-trend clothing and accessories at affordable prices featured at American Eagle Outfitters stores throughout North America. Also available at the new stores will be the latest collection of aerie, the comfortable loungewear and intimates brand by AEO.

Filed Under: Franchise Business, Retail

Noodle House launches new branches in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

February 25, 2010 By Pooja Kulkarni

The Taste Department, the dedicated branded restaurant division within the Jumeirah Group tasked to set up and license innovative and successful casual dining restaurant concepts to partners worldwide, has announced new licensing agreements to open the Noodle House restaurant branches in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Signing ceremony for the noodle house management agreement in Saudi Arabia, attended by (L to R) Mr. Guy Crawford, Jumeirah Group’s Chief Executive Officer; Steven Grey, The Taste Department’s General Manager and Chief Taster; Mr Mazen Almugbel, General Manager for Mira Foods and Mr. Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman of Jumeirah Group.

This announcement comes shortly after the signing of the Noodle House management agreements in Lebanon, Egypt and Cyprus, making a total of 11 countries, globally.

The licensing agreement with Mira Foods will allow for seven outlets to be opened in Saudi Arabia; the first outlet is scheduled to open mid-2009 and will be located at Centria Mall, Riyadh. Similarly, the agreement with Al-Ghunaim Trading Co. Ltd will see up to six outlets opening in Kuwait, with the first outlet scheduled to open June 2009.

An award-winning concept already popular in Dubai, the Noodle House is an energetic dining option with a menu and ambience inspired by the food and nightlife of exciting South East Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok and Jakarta. The fusion of wholesome food and a vibrant atmosphere makes the Noodle House restaurants the perfect choice for a warm and engaging meal. Diners can relax and watch as chefs prepare their aromatic dishes over an open flame in full view of the guests, serving up delicious dishes within minutes.

Steven Grey, the Taste Department’s General Manager & Chief Taster, attributes the growing success of the Noodle House to the dual appeal it holds for customers and investors alike: “customers are looking for dining options that present quality ingredients, high flavoured and innovative menus , timely service and a great atmosphere. Equally, now more than ever investors are looking for safe ventures with trusted brands and experienced partners who can manage and deliver a solid return on their investment.”

Abdulghani K. Al-Ghunaim, Chairman and Chief Executive Office of Al Ghunaim Trading Co. LTD, said: “We are very proud to acquire the franchise for the Noodle House in the State of Kuwait. The Noodle House will be a big addition to our growing company as well as introducing a new concept, South East Asian cuisine to the market. I am sure the launch of the Noodle House will be a success in the Kuwaiti market.”

Mazen Almugbel, General Manager for Mira Foods affirmed the sentiment: “We are certain that the Noodle House is on the right track to become a leading international chain and our commitment towards the Noodle House is to introduce it as a benchmark in the Saudi market.”

Filed Under: Fast Food, Franchise, Franchise Business, Restaurant
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