Several local brands and international names are looking to expand into new markets at a franchising exhibition in Dubai, which offers an opportunity for franchisors to access entrepreneurs and investors.

Franchising Middle East Exhibition (FME) 2010 opened on February 2, and will end today (February 4) at Dubai World trade Centre.

Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant, originally a stand alone outlet in Oman, is now looking to expand internationally following its participation at the show.

“Having been the premier North Indian specialty restaurant in Oman for over 25 years, Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant is now looking at options of taking the name beyond the shores of Oman and franchising to interested parties through the FME 2010 platform is a strong possibility,” said Gautam Moudgill, general manager of Mumtaz Mahal.

“The GCC market is an ocean of opportunities to our line of business and we would love to have Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant spread its wings across the GCC,” he added.

“We see this to be a profitable venture to all the investors as our name has gained a massive reputation in Oman already by having won many prestigious awards in various categories over the years.”

International franchise brand Subway is also looking to expand in the Middle East and Africa, adding to its already grand total of 276 franchise operations in the region.

“With minimal equipment needs and space requirements that are extremely flexible, a Subway franchise is the perfect solution for many non-traditional facilities that want to bring in a branded fast food concept,” said Beirut-based, Hisham Ghazal, regional marketing manager for the Subway chain.

“Participating in regional trade shows allows us to get our name out, send a clear message about our franchising opportunities, and create a greater awareness about our capabilities.” – TradeArabia News Service