Man’oushe Street, a popular Middle Eastern restaurant that serves traditional, home-styled street food, has opened its 13th store - its first branch in Al Ain.

The opening is the result of a strategic new franchising agreement between Man’oushe Street and Bloom ME Pastries, as part of its ongoing global expansion initiative, said a statement.

According to recent industry reports, the UAE's consumer food service segment, which is valued at $8 billion, is poised to witness a steady compounded annual growth rate of 12 per cent for the period of 2012 to 2017.

The figures show that segment eagerly thrives in a region that is largely composed of large households - wherein $3 billion of the segment's $8 billion comes from the fast food sector.

Food industry analysts have shared that growth rate was achieved from contributions of the chain Middle Eastern fast food segment, which posted 5.6 per cent growth and the full service fast food segment's growth of seven per cent.

Jihad El Eit, founder and chief executive officer, Man’oushe Street, said: “We welcome Bloom ME Pastries to the growing family of Man’oushe Street franchisees. We are confident that the company’s reputation as highly productive and fully efficient unit will play a key role in reinforcing Man’oushe Street’s leading position as a highly preferred dining choice for UAE consumers.

“We remain steadfast in the move to expand our presence not only in the UAE but globally as well. To date, our ongoing expansion initiative has resulted in the forging of master franchise agreements that will later result in the opening of more than 12 new branches across strategic global locations.”

Man'oushe Street has now grown to nine branches in the UAE, with two new outlets soon to open in Al Ghurair and Jumeirah before the end of the second quarter.

In addition, the company's massive expansion initiative will also lead to the opening of 12 new branches across the Middle East region - six in Qatar and Kuwait and six in Egypt (franchise).  

Amer Al Sabbagh, business development, Bloom ME Pastries, said: “Man’oushe Street is fast gaining a reputation as a highly preferred dining option in the UAE with its offer of authentic Lebanese street food that is made from fresh, specially selected ingredients.

“Our recently signed franchise agreement will allow us to open the first Man’oushe Street branch in Al Ain and we are confident that this new store will play a key role in the move to address the growing demand for fast food that is not just a quick meal, but is also freshly and healthily prepared.” - TradeArabia News Service