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Freddy’s signs first international expansion dealFreddy’s signs first international expansion deal

Chain serving burgers and frozen custard will franchise in the Middle East

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

January 31, 2018

1 Min Read
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Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has signed a master franchise agreement for its first development abroad, planning a restaurant to open in Dubai in the fall, the company said Tuesday.

The Wichita, Kan.-based company’s agreement with Younata Investment Ltd. covers the Middle East countries of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

"We are thrilled to be expanding our family-friendly restaurant concept internationally," said Randy Simon, Freddy’s president and CEO, in a statement. “It's an exciting new venture for us and for Younata Investment Ltd., and we look forward to working with them to make Freddy's a success in the Middle East."

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Younata Investment, based in Dubai, is a family-owned company with a diverse portfolio of food and beverage, healthcare, real estate, retail and software businesses.

"We are very delighted to start this new relationship with Freddy's as their first international franchisee and to bring authentic steakburgers and frozen custard to the Middle East," said Yousef Khattar, Younata’s managing director.

Freddy’s ranked No. 119 in Nation’s Restaurant News’ most recent Top 200 census, with $340.5 million in U.S. systemwide sales for the fiscal year ended in December 2016.

Freddy’s, founded in 2002, has 285 restaurants in 31 states.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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