Signs franchise agreement in Kuwait; Rest of Gulf and Levant to follow by Q1 2004


DUBAI, UAE, DECEMBER 31 2003: In a major and strategic expansion, Dubtrade LLC, the exclusive Middle East master franchisee for Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL), the reputed global coffee house chain, today announced it has entered into a franchise agreement for the brand in the key Gulf market of Kuwait.
 
Making the announcement, a senior spokesperson of Dubtrade, a subsidiary of the reputed Dubai-based business conglomerate, Abbasi Group, further said the company expects to enter into similar agreements in the rest of the Gulf markets and Levant by the first quarter of 2004, a move which will lead to opening a chain of new CBTL outlets across the Middle East.
 
Mr. Ismail Akil Abbasi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dubtrade, licensed master franchisee for the Middle East and UAE for The Coffee Bean and Tea leaf, said: “Over the last two years CBTL has established itself as a highly visible brand serving quality products to its discerning clientele in the UAE. Excellent customer service, coupled with a range of innovative tea and coffee drinks, bakery products, salads and light snacks have been the hallmarks that have earned CBTL recognition in the local market.
 
Given our success here, we now feel that it is an opportune time for CBTL to enter other key markets across the Middle East. Our expansion will be through strategic sub-franchisee associations with reputed business entities who will be in a position to maintain and further build on the substantial equity that the CBTL brand enjoys. While we have signed sub-franchisee agreements in Kuwait, we are in advanced negotiations for other Gulf markets, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Lebanon.”
 
Dubtrade’s sub-franchisee partner in Kuwait for CBTL is the Al-Ghunaim Trading Company, part of the highly-diversified business conglomerate, Al Ghunaim Group. With several years of experience in the hospitality business, the company’s portfolio includes several reputed global brands such as Chili’s and Johnny Carino’s.
 
Based in Singapore, CBTL was established in 1963 and is the largest and oldest privately held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the world. The brand is spread over 12 countries through 250 locations across the globe and the chain of coffee shops serves approximately 30 million coffee and tea beverages every year.
 
Mr. Abdulghani Al Ghunaim, Al Ghunaim Group said “CBTL is a highly dynamic global brand that is synonymous with innovation and high quality. We are extremely upbeat about its market potential in Kuwait, which has a strong coffee house culture and a large segment of young and relatively affluent consumers.”
 
“The Al Ghunaim Group is a strong, local business group that is firmly entrenched within the hospitality sector in Kuwait. We view the addition of CBTL to our product portfolio as an opportunity to combine an internationally renowned brand name with our business knowledge and expertise,” he added.
 
-Ends-
 
Editors Note:
Abbasi Group-owned Dubtrade was established in 1996 and has over the years grown into a successful regional trading company, with multiple interests in trading, construction, retail, textiles and hospitality.
 
For further information contact:Percept Profile Gulf
Nandini Vohra/Anjali Sawlani
Tel : (971-4) 344-6373
Fax : (971-4) 342-9158
E-mail: nandini@perceptprofilegulf.com

© Press Release 2003