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Food and beverage brands see franchising success

Sub franchising opportunities being offered on international outlets

DUBAI March 16, 2011: Some of the world's most renowned international food and beverage brands, such as Subway, Whittard of Chelsea and Charley's Grilled Subs, have been actively seeking regional franchisees across the Middle East this week by participating in the Franchising Middle East (FME) exhibition in Dubai.

Branded outlets are on the increase as regional entrepreneurs continue to see the value of taking on an established brand name.

One such example is Al Madani Group of Dubai. The group represents brands such as Levis, Dockers, Charley's Grilled Subs, Whittard of Chelsea, Hang Ten, Chevignon, Gas, Naf Naf and Zummo in the region.

"FME is the foremost event for the franchising industry in the Middle East. We have been visiting the event for several years. This year we are participating as we have won the right to sub franchise two of our F&B brands: Charley's Grilled Subs and Whittard of Chelsea," explained George Kunnappally, General Manager - Food & Beverage Division, Al Madani Group of Companies.

Al Madani Group currently has eight Charley's Grilled Subs stores in Dubai. "In 2010, we opened three sub franchisee owned and operated stores at Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi and Bawadi Mall and UAEU Campus in Al Ain. New franchisee owned and operated stores are also scheduled to open at the Enoc gas stations in JAFZA and Al Twar and Mushrif Mall in Abu Dhabi," said Kunnappally.

The group also owns and operates Charley's Grilled Subs outlets in Abraj Al Bait in Meccah, Al Noor Mall in Medinah and Mall of Arabia in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Al Madani has three Whittard of Chelsea stores in Dubai. New stores will open later this year at the Ibn Battuta Mall and Deira City Centre, as well as locations for sub franchisees in Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Dubai.

"Franchising is not new to this market. Most of the major F&B brands are already here or are in the process of setting up. Sub franchising, wherein a locally present master licensee or regional developer signs up multiple franchise partners and opens stores with the regional developer acting as a representative of the parent company, is quite new in this market but catching up fast," explained Kunnappally.

Subway also continues to expand. The restaurant chain now operates 100 outlets in the UAE, 44 in Kuwait and 43 in Saudi Arabia.

Joseph Tabet, Regional Director of Subway Middle East & Africa, said: "We are proud to announce our network is further expanding, and will continue to grow to reach our customers with utmost convenience. I would like to congratulate Subway restaurants in the UAE, KSA, and Kuwait for their remarkable efforts, as we gear up to opening additional outlets in most of the Arab countries in the near future."

With more than 80 franchising brands from around the world exhibiting at the show this week, FME will provide local entrepreneurs with a variety of business opportunities.

FME takes place on March 14-16, 2011 at the Sheikh Saeed Hall 1 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

FME is the largest international franchise exhibition in the Middle East and is supported by the IFA (International Franchise Association). The exhibition facilitates direct communication between entrepreneurs and potential franchise buyers from the region and beyond. For more information visit www.franchisingme.com

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About International Expo-Consults (IEC):
International Expo-Consults (IEC) is an internationally recognized trade show management company with an impressive track record of 16 years of operations in the Middle East and Asia Pacific region. The Exhibition arm of the Dubai-based conglomerate, the Falak Holding; IEC is the organiser of key exhibitions including Chemical Process Plant and Machinery (CPPM), Sign and Graphics Imaging (SGI), Franchising Middle East (FME) and the Dubai, Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure (DEAL).

A multi-billion dollar Dubai-based conglomerate, Falak Holding has been an industry pioneer for the last 30 years having diversified business interests including real estate development; retail - sports, fashion, home furnishings; exhibitions, medical diagnostics, trading and many more as part of its portfolio. Falak Holding is also a key stakeholder and investor in the prestigious Dubai Sports City project.

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© Press Release 2011

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