Fireman Hospitality Group, the New York-based multiunit full-service restaurant operator, has expanded into the international marketplace with the debut of a branch of its Brooklyn Diner concept in Dubai Festival City.
FHG officials said the 90-seat Dubai operation, which was opened together with The Jawad Group, a restaurant management firm, marks the first of several locations scheduled to open in the Middle East over the next two years.
In addition, the company has named Steve Weissman chief financial officer, a move FHG officials say will help to shape its future expansion plans.
“[Weissman’s] impressive background and professional achievements will be invaluable to FHG as we continue to expand throughout the United States and overseas in the Middle East,” said FHG president Shelly Fireman.
Previously, Weissman held the post of chief financial officer at B.R. Guest Restaurants. Before that served as director of finance and then vice president of finance at Apple-Metro Inc., a New York Applebee’s franchisee.
The company also is planning to open two domestic restaurants this year in National Harbor, Md., across the Potomac from Old Town Alexandria, Va. The first, Fiorella Pizzeria e Caffé, is scheduled to open this spring, while The Redeye will debut later this year in a separate three-story building off the National Harbor pier.
FHG opened its first restaurant in National Harbor, Bond 45, in 2010.
FHG operates 10 restaurants, including Café Fiorello, Trattoria Dell’Arte, and Shelly’s Big City, all in New York.
“We’ve been fortunate to find properties in New York City that are situated in the most vital and vibrant areas and to work with landlords and management teams that understand [the restaurant industry],” Fireman said. “We’ve had the same experience in D.C. with the National Harbor team and now in Dubai. We’re looking forward to continuing to secure the best restaurant properties, in both the United States and abroad.”
Contact Paul Frumkin at [email protected].
