Alghanim Industries, one of the largest privately owned companies in the region, will breathe fresh life into Costa Coffee Qatar with additional locations and newly designed stores set to open soon. The new Costa Coffee stores will be the first to be operated by Alghanim Industries in Qatar, having been awarded sole development rights to the brand across several additional GCC countries, following their successful management of Costa Coffee in Kuwait since 2013. Alghanim will offer coffee lovers the genuine Costa Coffee experience, with a wide range of beverages made using the authentic Costa Mocha Italia blend, handcrafted with fresh milk for a rich unrivaled experience, in the brand’s signature red waffle paper cups. Updates on the new Costa Coffee in Qatar will be published on www.Instagram.com/Costa.Qatar Commenting on this, Samer Sayegh, President of Retail, F&B and Customer Engagement at Alghanim Industries said: “We’re proud to be long-standing partners with Costa, bringing one of the world’s premium coffee brands to our customers. Our focused strategy and elevated offerings made us a main player in Kuwait’s coffee shop scene, and we are very pleased to expand our relationship and move into the regional market. Qatar’s customers are known to be dedicated, discerning coffee connoisseurs, and we can’t wait to bring them our Costa Coffee experience tailored just for them.” Gordon Mowat, Managing Director EMEA at Costa Coffee said: “Our partnership with Alghanim Industries has grown in strength as well as breadth since its inception in 2013. I believe it comes down to the values we share, values which are so ingrained in the way we do business. The Alghanim team are passionate about our premium coffee, but they’re also equally passionate about crafting the best possible coffeeshop experience, listening to their customers to develop unique menu propositions and reflecting local tastes wherever they operate. As a partner, Alghanim shares our commitment to growing talent and driving product innovation, and we’re thrilled to be working alongside them to bring our iconic brand to customers in the GCC.” The Costa Coffee-Alghanim partnership has flourished since its formation in 2013, growing to more than 90 stores in Kuwait, including several flagship locations. Together, both companies have developed new coffee and pastry collaborations with celebrity chefs, launched innovative, fresh store designs and established a barista training center, to ensure teams deliver the highest possible coffee standards. The growth and success is driven by both companies’ shared commitment to delivering outstanding handcrafted coffee, credible healthy menu choices and exceptional customer service, a strategy Alghanim will be bringing to Qatar. Alghanim Industries will be providing a unique Costa Coffee experience for the country’s coffee lovers by introducing a number of innovative localized products and customized, Qatar-exclusive menu items, such as local collaborations to develop exciting seasonal creations to customers. This follows the wide success it has achieved in Kuwait with Chef Ahmed Al Zamel’s exclusive menu of beverages, sandwiches, and desserts. Customers can also look forward to relaxing in new, revamped store interiors while being served by skilled passionate teams. The new Costa Coffee stores will provide a healthy menu and wide range of alternative milk options to cater to all its customers’ different tastes and dietary needs. Put together, these forward-looking strategies continue to power the partners’ expansion efforts in the GCC, and they look forward to welcoming customers into Costa Coffee Qatar soon.

London, United Kingdom: Costa Coffee, the UK-based coffee shop company with nearly 4,000 locations in more than 32 global markets, and Alghanim Industries, one of the largest privately-owned companies in the Gulf region, has today announced an expansion of their successful partnership. Moving forward, Alghanim Industries will have development rights to Costa Coffee not just in Kuwait but also in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, making Alghanim the largest franchisee by territory. The Costa Coffee-Alghanim partnership has flourished since its 2013 formation, growing to more than 75 stores today. 35 of these shops opened in less than a year, including in top-tier locations such as Al Hamra Tower and Kuwait International Airport. The growth is driven by the companies’ shared commitments to delivering outstanding handcrafted coffee, credible healthy menu choices and exceptional customer service. Costa Coffee and Alghanim Industries have revamped the Kuwait menu to reflect local tastes and preferences, including local specialties, such as the sweet and rich Spanish Latte, in addition to the cardamom–infused Turkish latte, a Middle-Eastern twist on a classic drink. Together both companies have recently introduced a number of sustainability initiatives, switching from plastic to paper straws and offering discounts to those customers who bring a reusable cup into store. In addition, they established a barista training center, arranged pastry collaborations with celebrity chefs, upgraded store design and interiors, and opened a concept store at Al Hamra Tower, where customers can enjoy specialty coffees and an expanded food offer. Put together, these forward-looking strategies will power Costa-Alghanim’s expansion efforts in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar. “Three traits are critical to success in the food and beverage sector,” said Kutayba Y. Alghanim, Executive Chairman, Alghanim Industries. “You must have a patient, long-term outlook, you must act decisively when opportunity arises, and above all, you must put the customer at the heart of your business. We share these values with Costa Coffee, a world-class brand, which will grow even stronger following its acquisition by Coca-Cola. These shared values are the foundation of our work together, and the reason we look forward to an enduring, prosperous partnership.” “Coffee is a Middle Eastern creation. As far as historians can tell, drinking coffee traces back to the 15th century in our region,” said Omar K. Alghanim, Group CEO, Alghanim Industries. “It comes as no surprise that most people in this region have a deep appreciation for good coffee. And that’s why we’re thrilled to grow with Costa Coffee, and to build on our success in Kuwait. We’re ready to hit the ground running in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, bringing world-class hand crafted coffee to some of the most sophisticated consumers in the world.” “Today marks another exciting new chapter for Costa Coffee in the Middle East”, said Dominic Paul, CEO of Costa Coffee. “Our vision is to inspire the world to love great coffee and in Alghanim Industries we have an innovative and exciting partner who will help us unlock the next phase of growth in the Middle East, bringing further investment and job creation across a number of countries where demand for Costa Coffee is growing.” Alongside Costa Coffee, Alghanim Industries has forged successful partnerships with American quick-service restaurant brands Wendy’s (2015) and Slim Chickens (2017). Alghanim Industries expects to open its first store outside Kuwait in Saudi Arabia by the fourth quarter of 2019. For any questions and inquiries, please contact the Alghanim Industries team at costacoffee.info@alghanim.com. -Ends- About Alghanim Alghanim Industries is one of the largest, privately-owned companies in the MENA region. Founded at the turn of the century, in Kuwait, the company today employs more than 15,000 people in 30 businesses across 40 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. Alghanim Industries is a market leader in almost every major sector of its operations, which include: engineering, retail, automotive sales and service, insulation and pre-engineered steel building structures, logistics and warehousing, fast moving consumer goods, food & beverage, office automation, advertising, insurance, consumer credit and travel. The company is actively growing its brand portfolio, with a focus on top-tier global partners. Among them: Avis, British Airways, British Petroleum, Cathay Pacific, Daewoo, Honda, Saint-Gobain and Toshiba. Additionally, Alghanim Industries has created a number of successful regional businesses, including X-cite (consumer electronics), and Safat Home (lifestyle and home furniture). About Costa Coffee Founded in London by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971, Costa Coffee operates over 2,600+ coffee shops in the UK and more than 1,300+ in 32 international markets we are the fastest growing coffee shop business in the UK and are proud to be the UK’s favourite coffee shop, having been awarded “Best Branded Coffee Shop Chain in the UK and Ireland" by Allegra Strategies for nine years running (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018). Making a positive contribution to the communities we are part of is extremely important to us, both in the UK and across the world. That’s why we established The Costa Foundation, a registered charity with the aim of improving the life chances of children in coffee growing communities by helping them access a safe, quality education. So far, the Costa Foundation has funded over 80 school projects and changed the lives of more than 75,000 children. We also have a UK-wide Community Programme, which enables our teams to volunteer their time to good causes locally and to invite community groups to make use of our welcoming space in store. In 2011 Costa Coffee purchased Coffee Nation rebranding it to Costa Express. Today, Costa Express operates over 8,500+ coffee bars in five international markets and proudly serves the same famous Mocha Italia blend found in stores, combined with fresh milk to create a delicious and warming cup of coffee on the go. © Press Release 2019

افتتحت شركة صناعات الغانم، إحدى أكبر الشركات الخاصة في المنطقة، أول مطعم لسلسلة مطاعم سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) خارج الولايات المتحدة الأميركية، وذلك في حفل أقيم في الموقع الجديد المستقل الكائن في شارع البلاجات في السالمية، حضره الرئيس التنفيذي في شركة صناعات الغانم، عمر قتيبة الغانم، وسفير الولايات المتحدة لدى الكويت، لورانس سيلفرمان، والمدراء التنفيذيون في صناعات الغانم، وكذلك مؤسسو سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens)، توم قوردن وجريج سمارت، وحضر الحدث أيضاً عشاق الطعام والمدونون ومحبو الطعم الأصيل لجنوب الولايات المتحدة. وتشتهر مطاعم سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) بكونها الرائدة في قطاع المطاعم المتخصصة في الدجاج من بين مطاعم الوجبات السريعة الفاخرة (Fast Casual Restaurants) في الولايات المتحدة، حيث تمتلك أكثر من 50 فرعاً في عشر ولايات. وقد وقعت كل من شركة صناعات الغانم وسلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) اتفاقية في بداية هذا العام تخول الأولى تمثيل العلامة التجارية في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا. وخلال الافتتاح، رحب الرئيس التنفيذي عمر قتيبة الغانم بالضيوف، وعرّف عن ضيوف الشرف كل من سفير الولايات المتحدة لدى الكويت، لورانس سيلفرمان، ومؤسسي سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) توم قوردن وجريج سمارت، والرئيس التنفيذي للعمليات في سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens)، سام روتشيلد، وشكر لهم حضورهم هذا الافتتاح البارز الذي يعد أول ثمرة تنتجها الشراكة الجديدة. وأعقب الافتتاح تقديم مجموعة واسvعة من الطعام والصلصات والوجبات الجانبية التي تشتهر بها العلامة، وذلك في أجواء تخللها عرض للفرقة الكويتية الشابة سنس أوف يوسف (Sons of Yusuf) التي أمتعت الحضور بعزفها الحي. وقال الغانم: «إن هذا الافتتاح يعد إنجازاً جديداً لصناعات الغانم كونه أول مطعم لسلسلة مطاعم سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) خارج الولايات المتحدة، وهي واحدة من أسرع العلامات التجارية نمواً في قطاع الأغذية والمشروبات، ليس هنالك شك بأن سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) ستحوز إعجاب الزبائن في الكويت لما تقدمه من وجبات أصيلة، ونحن في صناعات الغانم نفتخر بكوننا مؤسسة تتواصل مباشرة مع العملاء وتقدم لهم خدمات ومنتجات جديدة توفر قيمة إضافية وتستحوذ على إعجابهم.» وأضاف الغانم عن خطط التوسع وافتتاح مطاعم سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) جديدة: «نتطلع لمواصلة التوسع في أنحاء الشرق الأوسط حيث نرى إمكانيات واعدة في هذا القطاع، ونؤمن بأنها ستكون ناجحة سواء داخل الكويت أو خارجها». وتأسست سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) عام 2003 في فايتفيل في ولاية أركنساس، وتلتزم بتوفير تجربة فريدة من نوعها بين المطاعم، مع التركيز على الجودة العالية، والدجاج الطازج. وتقدم العلامة التجارية نكهات أصيلة من جنوب الولايات المتحدة، منها أصابع الدجاج المشوية، والمغطاة بالبقسماط المقرمشة والمحضرة باليد، إلى جانب جوانح الدجاج التي تقدم مع الصلصات المحضرة في المطعم، بحيث تحتوي قائمة الطعام على 14 نوعاً من الصلصات التي تحصل دائماً على إعجاب زوار المطعم ومحبي المطاعم في الولايات المتحدة. ومن ناحيته، قال الرئيس التنفيذي وأحد مؤسسي مطاعم سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens)، توم قوردن، خلال الافتتاح: «نحن سعيدون جداً بافتتاح فرعنا الأول خارج الوطن هنا في الكويت، ونحن على ثقة بأن الزبائن سيستمتعون بالطعم المحلي الحقيقي للجنوب الأميركي، وطبعاً، إن صناعات الغانم هي الشريك المثالي لقيادة توسعنا في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا وتقديم الطعام الحقيقي ذاته والوجبات الاجتماعية والالتزام تجاه المجتمعات المحلية، إذ ستتيح لنا هذه الشراكة نشر مبادئنا على نطاق أوسع، وتسمح لنا بالوصول إلى ضيوف جدد للمطعم في أنحاء منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا». في أجواء عائلية، يستخدم مطعم سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) في الكويت جميع المكونات الطازجة للحفاظ على ذات المعايير العالية من الجودة والمذاق في كل قضمة، ذلك بالإضافة إلى التجربة الاستثنائية للضيافة والخدمة الرائعة التي يشتهر بها الجنوب الأميركي. وبمناسبة الافتتاح، قال نائب الرئيس لقطاع الأغذية والمشروبات في شركة «صناعات الغانم»، فيل برود: «نحن فخورون جداً بإطلاق واحدة من أسرع العلامات التجارية نمواً داخل قطاعها في الولايات المتحدة. سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) هي أحدث إضافة إلى محفظة العلامة التجارية التي تشغلها صناعات الغانم في قطاع الأغذية والمشروبات، والتي تستثمر فيها منذ 2013 وواصلت التوسع بها في الكويت والإمارات العربية المتحدة وقريباً المملكة العربية السعودية. إن افتتاح سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) خارج وطنه هو دليل على التزامنا بنشر مفهوم التجربة المتميزة جداً في الكويت وعبر المنطقة. نشكر توم وجريج اللذين وصلا من الولايات المتحدة على حضورهما، كما نشكر جميع ضيوفنا لانضمامهم إلينا في افتتاح أول فرع «سلم تشيكنز» في الشرق الأوسط». وتعمل شركة صناعات الغانم على توسيع نطاق عملها في مجال الأغذية والمشروبات منذ عام 2013 حين وقعت أول عقد شراكة خوّل لها الدخول في قطاع المقاهي في الكويت. وقامت الشركة بالتوسع مؤخراً في قطاع المطاعم المتخصصة في الدجاج من بين مطاعم الوجبات السريعة الفاخرة (Fast Casual Restaurants) بإضافة أحدث علاماتها التجارية سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) لمواصلة نمو محفظتها في مجال الأغذية والمشروبات. وتدعو صناعات الغانم الزبائن إلى تجربة الأنواع الجديدة والطازجة من الوجبات الشهيرة في الجنوب الأميركي، وذلك في أول فرع لمطعم سلِم تشيكنز (Slim Chickens) الكائن على شارع البلاجات في السالمية، حيث تتم خدمة الزبائن من الساعة 11:00 صباحاً ولغاية 01:00 بعد منتصف الليل من كل يوم.

Our roots run deep in the Delta where food is honest, meals are social, and the door is always open. We started with a mission to bring a dose of that southern hospitality to a fast, casual setting - serving fresh handmade food to the communities we serve. Our startup story is pretty simple. It all started with a craving for a quick quality meal - fresh chicken cooked to order. When we discovered there was a niche to fill, we rallied where lots of great startups begin, from our garage! Tireless testing and a laser focused vision launched the first Slim Chickens restaurant in Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2003. Now over a decade and thousands of happy customers later, we know that there's something special about our hand-breaded chicken tenders, fresh Buffalo wings, and handmade dipping sauces that keeps our loyal fans coming back...over and over again. Customers tell us that Slims has changed their weekly routines -- that our food was simply life changing, and that they can't get enough. No joke. We strive to return that enthusiasm by giving back to the communities we serve - helping local non-profits with fundraisers, donating food to communities we serve - helping local non-profits with fundraisers, donating food to community events, and doing everything we can to improve the lives of people in the communities where we live and work. In more ways than one, Slim Chickens is truly Life Changing Chicken.

KUWAIT: Slim Chickens, a leader in the “better chicken” segment of fast-casual restaurants, will continue expansion of its fresh chicken concept for the first time outside of the United States through a partnership with Alghanim Industries, one of the largest privately owned companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The two companies announced yesterday that they have entered into a master franchise agreement that will enable Alghanim Industries to introduce the Slim Chickens brand and dining experience across the MENA region. Alghanim Industries, based in Kuwait City, Kuwait, owns and operates more than 30 businesses in 40 countries across the MENA, Turkey, India and South East Asia. Since its founding more than a century ago, consumer-oriented businesses have grounded the company. Today, its growing portfolio of 300 brands includes a number of US partners, including General Motors, Ford, Mars, Whirlpool, Wendy’s and American Express. Founded in 2003 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Slim Chickens is committed to providing a “Life Changing Chicken” experience in its sector of the restaurant industry, with a focus on high quality, fresh chicken. The down-home Southern brand features hand-breaded and grilled chicken tenders and wings paired with handmade dipping sauces – there are 10 in all to render exceptional flavor that continues to earn admiration from guests and food critics alike. Brand rollout The first MENA-region Slim Chickens restaurant is expected to open in Kuwait in March 2017. This will be followed by a rapid brand rollout across the entire region. Alghanim Industries Chairman Kutayba Alghanim pointed out: “We are committed to expanding our portfolio by partnering with one of the most pioneering, value-based consumer companies in the world, and we look forward to introducing the Slim Chickens concept to consumers across the Middle East.” The Chairman added: “Alghanim Industries has a proud track record of developing successful businesses with huge growth potential that meet the needs of the region’s expanding consumer base.” “Through our partnerships over the last few years, we’ve gained a deep understanding of consumers’ expectations for food and beverage offerings in the MENA region,” said Alghanim Industries CEO Omar Alghanim. “Slim Chickens is one of the fastest growing brands in the United States and we have no doubt that it will enjoy the same success in the Middle East. Alghanim Industries and Slim Chickens share key values: Both have strong community ties, an uncompromising approach to quality and strive, constantly, to exceed customers’ expectations. We couldn’t be more excited to help develop the Slim Chickens brand internationally, and open the first store outside of the US market in our region.” Slim Chickens CEO Tom Gordon also spoke of the two companies’ shared values, and pioneering ways: “Alghanim Industries’ legacy of providing high-caliber customer service and first-class products made this a one-of-a-kind opportunity for our brand,” he said. “Over the past months we’ve learned about the company, the people and the values shared between our two organizations, and our alignment couldn’t be closer.” Southern hospitality “We are truly thrilled and honored to partner with Alghanim Industries, and we look forward to working with the entire Alghanim Industries team to bring our fresh, hand crafted recipes and southern hospitality and service to the Middle East,” Tom Gordon added. “Slim Chickens is about honest food, social meals, and a commitment to local communities. This partnership will allow us to expand that vision and voice in a new and expansive capacity, and connect with valued guests throughout the MENA region.” Alghanim Industries is actively expanding its Food & Beverage (F&B) portfolio, which began in 2013 with its franchise agreement with UK-based Costa Coffee, the second largest coffeehouse chain in the world. In 2015, Alghanim Industries acquired the rights to develop US-based Wendy’s restaurants across the MENA region – the deal included all existing locations in the United Arab Emirates, and provided for further expansion into Kuwait in 2016 and Saudi Arabia in 2017. Slim Chickens is Alghanim Industries’ latest addition to its rapidly growing F&B portfolio. Alghanim Industries is one of the oldest and largest, privately-owned companies in the MENA region. Founded over a century ago, in Kuwait, the company today employs more than 14,000 people in 30 businesses across 40 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. Alghanim Industries is a market leader in almost every major sector of its operations, which include: engineering, retail, automotive sales and service, insulation and pre-engineered steel building structures, logistics and warehousing, fast moving consumer goods, food & beverage, oil & gas, office automation, advertising, insurance, consumer credit and travel. The company is actively growing its brand portfolio, with a focus on top-tier global partners. Among them: Avis, British Airways, British Petroleum, Cathay Pacific, Daewoo, Honda, Saint-Gobain and Toshiba. Additionally, Alghanim Industries has created a number of successful regional businesses, including X-cite (consumer electronics), and Safat Home (lifestyle and home furniture). Slim Chickens Slim Chickens opened in 2003 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with a focus on culinary excellence in a fast-casual setting. Guests can always expect fresh chicken tenders and wings cooked to order and served with handmade dipping sauces made from scratch. With more than 40 locations today and a fanatical following in 10 states, our eternally cool brand is leading the “better chicken” segment, and intends to grow to 600 restaurants nationwide over the next decade. Slim Chickens is proving that Southern hospitality is not just for the South: Everyone, everywhere, appreciates honest food and socializing with friends and neighbors.

Kuwait’s Alghanim Industries is planning to open 30 new F&B outlets in the GCC next year under the Wendy’s and Costa Coffee brands, the company’s vice president of food and beverage, Phil Broad, told Caterer Middle East in a recent interview. “We’ll open three more Wendy’s in Dubai, and we’re looking at a couple of locations in Abu Dhabi, then we’ll open four or five in Kuwait. We’ll open another 13 or 14 Costa Coffees in Kuwait as well, and then we’re going to put five or six locations in Saudi Arabia. That will keep us busy next year — doing nearly 30 outleta is nearly one every couple of weeks,” Broad said. Alghanim Industries signed a master franchise agreement with The Wendy’s Company in February 2015, acquiring the exclusive rights to develop all Wendy’s operational outlets in the UAE and open additional stores across the Middle East and North Africa in the next decade. The deal reinforced Alghanim’s strategy to partner with international F&B franchises, and build on its 2013 acquisition of Costa Coffee Kuwait. Alghanim has since invested in refurbishing existing outlets, opening new ones and broadened the product range. It currently operates 34 Costa outlets in Kuwait. Speaking about the progress made, Broad commented: “We’re up against coffee brands that have been in Kuwait longer but we’re seen as one of the best operators of coffee now. We have our own training centre for our baristas and we’ve used celebrity chef Dean Brettschneider from New Zealand to develop a whole new range of cakes and pastries for us, and we’ll continually launch new food ranges [in Costa].” Continuing, Broad said: “It’s all about driving longevity, rather than a short-term profit hit, which historically is how I think they [Costa Kuwait outlets] may well have been run.” There have been a number of changes implemented by Alghanim since its acquisition of Wendy’s Middle East, as Broad explained: “Since buying the business in February last year, it’s taken us some time to start delivering the Wendy’s experience. Here in Dubai, you’ve seen refurbished stores and the launch of our value offer ‘4 for 14’, then the jalapeño freshco, and now the big Angus launch. "So, the traction of the brand is starting the build and our intention was always to open in our home territory of Kuwait.” Broad revealed that after six months of searching for the right location, Alghanim has secured “a fantastic spot where most of the other competitors play” that allows for a drive-through and features “a super new design”, to create what will be the flagship Wendy’s Kuwait. In terms of UAE growth for the fast-casual brand, Broad confirmed that Alghanim has purchased land on Jumeirah Beach Road, next to the Costa Coffee drive-through, to build “a billboard Wendy’s location”, and secured space in The Dubai Mall and the new Oasis Mall extension for two outlets. “We’re gaining momentum. There aren’t many people next year who are going to open 30 plus outlets, and we’re on the lookout for more brands,” Broad reveals. Read the full interview with Phil Broad in a future issue of Caterer Middle East.