DOHA: Kuwait-based One PM Holding, the Master Franchisee for Pret A Manger in Kuwait, Saudi and Qatar, has granted the sub-franchising rights to Al-Mana Holding to launch the brand in Qatar. The franchise partnership was signed at a press conference at the headquarters of Al-Mana Holding in Doha, and marks another step in Pret’s growth in the Middle East. The press conference was attended by British Ambassador to Qatar Jonathan Wilks, Abdulrahman Hamad Al-Mana, Deputy CEO Al-Mana Holding; Hamad Al-Sayer, Managing Director of One PM Franchising, Nabil Al-Ghoul, General Manager One PM Holding and Eira Jarvis, Managing Director of Pret A Manger Asia, VIP guests and media representatives. One PM Holding Managing Director, Hamad Al-Sayer spoke of the Group’s efforts to expand in the region, saying: “We are pleased to be partnering with Al-Mana Holding to bring this iconic and beloved chain to Qatar and look forward to witnessing it’s expansion in the Qatari market delivering an outstanding Pret experience.” On his part, Al-Mana Holding Deputy CEO, Abdulrahman Hamad Al Mana, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with One PM holding to bring Pret A Manger the iconic British food and coffee brand to Qatar, and look forward to launching and expanding its presence in the Qatari market”. One PM Holding General Manager, Nabil Al-Ghoul, added: “Today marks yet another milestone for One PM Holding as we expand the Pret A Manger brand across the Middle East. We look forward to working with Al-Mana Group and are confident our partnership will set a new standard in the grab-and-go sector in Qatar. ” Al-Mana Holding, which represents some of the world’s largest and most successful brands, is a Qatari conglomerate operating over 55 companies in eight countries across a wide range of sectors including retail and food & beverage.

Dine Brands International has announced plans to open multiple Applebee’s Neighbourhood Grill + Bar and IHOP restaurants in the UAE. The first location is scheduled to open in Dubai later this year through an agreement with IHOP franchisee Mohamed Makawi. Tony Moralejo, president, international, Dine Brands Global, said: “Mohamed, as a long-time IHOP operator in the US, is an ideal franchisee to lead the new openings of Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants in the UAE market. His passion for our brands, cultural understanding of the Middle East market, paired with his focus on creating exemplary guest experiences, position him to succeed in this new endeavour. “We have seen success in this market through our ghost kitchen operations and are excited to be re-establishing brick-and-mortar locations for our two world-renowned brands. The UAE is one of the fastest developing nations in the world, and the country’s increasing tourism business and consumer demand for casual and family dining restaurants reaffirm it as an important growth market for Dine.” Makawi said: “For over 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of developing the IHOP brand in the US. With this new venture, I look forward to gaining the support of the communities we plan to serve internationally. “We’re going to hire a local team and are confident guests in the UAE will love joining us in our restaurants for IHOP’s world-famous pancakes and familiar comfort foods, as well as Applebee’s craveable American fare.” Dine Brands International said it continues to place emphasis on growth in markets, including North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Based in California, Dine Brands Global operates about 3,440 restaurants in 16 countries and approximately 350 franchisees and is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world.

Dine Brands International has announced plans to open multiple Applebee’s Neighbourhood Grill + Bar and IHOP restaurants in the UAE. The first location is scheduled to open in Dubai later this year through an agreement with IHOP franchisee Mohamed Makawi. Tony Moralejo, president, international, Dine Brands Global, said: “Mohamed, as a long-time IHOP operator in the US, is an ideal franchisee to lead the new openings of Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants in the UAE market. His passion for our brands, cultural understanding of the Middle East market, paired with his focus on creating exemplary guest experiences, position him to succeed in this new endeavour. “We have seen success in this market through our ghost kitchen operations and are excited to be re-establishing brick-and-mortar locations for our two world-renowned brands. The UAE is one of the fastest developing nations in the world, and the country’s increasing tourism business and consumer demand for casual and family dining restaurants reaffirm it as an important growth market for Dine.” Makawi said: “For over 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of developing the IHOP brand in the US. With this new venture, I look forward to gaining the support of the communities we plan to serve internationally. “We’re going to hire a local team and are confident guests in the UAE will love joining us in our restaurants for IHOP’s world-famous pancakes and familiar comfort foods, as well as Applebee’s craveable American fare.” Dine Brands International said it continues to place emphasis on growth in markets, including North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Based in California, Dine Brands Global operates about 3,440 restaurants in 16 countries and approximately 350 franchisees and is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world.

Pret A Manger has teamed up with Kuwaiti franchise group One PM Franchising to grow its presence in the Middle East. The move forms part of Pret A Manger’s ambitious plan to double the size of its business within the next five years. It follows an October agreement to introduce the Pret brand and products to A&W restaurants in Canada, the launch of a self-serve coffee brand in the UK, and a coffee subscription service. One PM Franchising is a subsidiary of One Franchising Holding, a regional food and beverage operator with a presence across eight countries. Currently, Pret’s Middle East presence comprises just three stores in Dubai, UAE, which include two at its international airport. “Demand for our freshly prepared food and organic coffee is growing, so to meet that demand we committed to an ambitious growth plan. Our new partnership with One PM Franchising will help expand the beloved Pret brand in the Middle East, where we already have three shops. We’re really pleased that Hamad and the One PM team will be joining us on this journey, helping to spread Pret joy to more customers,” said Pret CEO Pano Christou. “We’re pleased to be partnering with Pret A Manger to bring the freshly made food and organic coffee chain to Kuwait, and potentially other regional countries, and help expand its brand to our existing customers and markets in the Middle East,” added Hamad Al-Sayer, One PM Franchising Chairman. In a busy year for Pret, the JAB Holdings-owned coffee chain entered roadside franchisee partnerships with independent forecourt operator, MFG, and motorway services operator, Moto, to open stores at UK petrol stations. In May, it announced a concession store trial at Tesco supermarkets in the UK. In August, it partnered US coffee giant JDE Peet’s to launch a new range of at-home coffee pods. Hot on the heels of its Middle East franchise agreement, Pret announced it would trial its first ever loyalty programme. ‘Pret Perks’ will be available to Pret’s Coffee Subscription customers through their Pret A Manger digital accounts as part of an initial trial. “As with any new piece of technology we are currently in the testing phase and rolling this out slowly to our Pret Superfans, our Coffee Subscribers, and will be looking to take learnings on board to make the loyalty programme the best it can be. We hope to open it up to all customers as soon as possible in 2022. Over the past 18 months we’ve responded to how people now want to interact with our brand and products, from launching bake-at-home croissants, to growing our digital capabilities through the launch of Pret’s Coffee Subscription,” said Clare Clough, UK Managing Director, Pret A Manger.

Pret A Manger has teamed up with Kuwaiti franchise group One PM Franchising to grow its presence in the Middle East. The move forms part of Pret A Manger’s ambitious plan to double the size of its business within the next five years. It follows an October agreement to introduce the Pret brand and products to A&W restaurants in Canada, the launch of a self-serve coffee brand in the UK, and a coffee subscription service. One PM Franchising is a subsidiary of One Franchising Holding, a regional food and beverage operator with a presence across eight countries. Currently, Pret’s Middle East presence comprises just three stores in Dubai, UAE, which include two at its international airport. “Demand for our freshly prepared food and organic coffee is growing, so to meet that demand we committed to an ambitious growth plan. Our new partnership with One PM Franchising will help expand the beloved Pret brand in the Middle East, where we already have three shops. We’re really pleased that Hamad and the One PM team will be joining us on this journey, helping to spread Pret joy to more customers,” said Pret CEO Pano Christou. “We’re pleased to be partnering with Pret A Manger to bring the freshly made food and organic coffee chain to Kuwait, and potentially other regional countries, and help expand its brand to our existing customers and markets in the Middle East,” added Hamad Al-Sayer, One PM Franchising Chairman. In a busy year for Pret, the JAB Holdings-owned coffee chain entered roadside franchisee partnerships with independent forecourt operator, MFG, and motorway services operator, Moto, to open stores at UK petrol stations. In May, it announced a concession store trial at Tesco supermarkets in the UK. In August, it partnered US coffee giant JDE Peet’s to launch a new range of at-home coffee pods. Hot on the heels of its Middle East franchise agreement, Pret announced it would trial its first ever loyalty programme. ‘Pret Perks’ will be available to Pret’s Coffee Subscription customers through their Pret A Manger digital accounts as part of an initial trial. “As with any new piece of technology we are currently in the testing phase and rolling this out slowly to our Pret Superfans, our Coffee Subscribers, and will be looking to take learnings on board to make the loyalty programme the best it can be. We hope to open it up to all customers as soon as possible in 2022. Over the past 18 months we’ve responded to how people now want to interact with our brand and products, from launching bake-at-home croissants, to growing our digital capabilities through the launch of Pret’s Coffee Subscription,” said Clare Clough, UK Managing Director, Pret A Manger.

Caffe Nero is on the brink of insolvency with the company blaming the second lockdown as it becomes the latest big High Street pandemic victim. The UK's third largest coffee chain, founded in London 30 years ago, was placed into a Company Voluntary Arrangement on Thursday as it scrambles to get its finances in order. It puts 6,000 jobs across 800 stores in jeopardy - though bosses hope any closures or staff losses will be minimal. Chief Executive Gerry Ford, whose Paladin Partners took over the business in 1997, expanding it outside the capital and across the UK, said the company had no other choice. Boris Johnson announced the England-wide one-month lockdown on October 31, restricting hospitality providers to takeaways only. With office workers largely being absent from town and city centres since March, coffee shops have seen a major portion of their customer base disappear. In attempt to combat the changes, Nero offered a click and collect service and home delivery. Mr Ford, 62, a former Hewlett-Packard analyser, has called on accountants KPMG to advise on the CVA, a type of insolvency that allows firms to continue trading in the short-term. The American-born entrepreneur hopes to renegotiate rent agreements to allow the franchise to re-emerge after the pandemic. "With our dine-in facilities now closed for a second time, we have little option but to launch this CVA to safeguard the future of our business," Mr Ford told the Daily Mail. He said the chain had been trading strongly before the pandemic but "like so many businesses in the hospitality sector, the pandemic has decimated trading". The CEO said the company successfully negotiated the "financial challenges" following the initial nationwide lockdown, the but the latest one "made it imperative that we take further action". He added the aim has always been "to continue to protect jobs". Will Wright, head of regional restructuring at KPMG, described the coffee company as an "iconic brand" with a "terrifically loyal customer base". imilar insolvency steps have been used by the likes of Debenhams, Clarks, Clintons and Homebase. Critics argue CVAs are often used to squirm out of debts and force landlords to drop rents. Mr Ford originally led a small group of investors in the purchase of five central London shops with the name Caffe Nero from Ian Semp who established the name in 1990.