Americana Restaurants International (AMR) has brought Lebanese quick service brand Malak Al Tawouk (MAT) into its portfolio through two related transactions.
AMR has signed a long-term exclusive licensing agreement that gives it the rights to develop and operate MAT for 75 years in the covered territories.
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The licence spans 13 markets across the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council], the Levant, North Africa and Central Asia, covering the MENA and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) regions.
MAT is a family-owned Lebanese brand founded in Beirut in 1996. Built around its signature Tawouk sandwich, the company has expanded to more than 45 restaurants in Lebanon and 19 across the Middle East.
It has also expanded internationally, with stores in France and Canada.
An out-of-home dining and quick service restaurant operator in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and Kazakhstan, AMR said MAT marks its entry into the Arabic quick service segment, described as one of the “fastest growing” categories in the region.
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By GlobalDataIn parallel, AMR has also signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in MAT’s current franchisees in the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
These existing MAT franchisees operate seven stores in the UAE and three stores in Saudi Arabia.
AMR said the existing MAT franchises have annualised revenue of nearly $21.1m. It reported pre-IFRS EBITDA of $2.3m and net income of $1.7m for the same operations.
The acquisition of the existing MAT franchisees is valued at $20.8m.
AMR said the deal will be funded through internal cash reserves.
AMR board chairman Mohamed Alabbar said: “The acquisition of Malak Al Tawouk is the first decisive step in Americana Restaurants’ diversification into Arabic cuisine and a clear expression of our growth ambition.”
Malak Al Tawouk owners Joseph Saade, Alain Saade, and Joseph Ajoury added: “This partnership supports our ambition to expand thoughtfully across new markets while preserving the authentic experience and modern brand identity that our customers value.”
