Dine Brands International has announced plans to open a number of Applebee’s Neighbourhood Grill + Bar and IHOP restaurants in the UAE.
The first of the planned locations is scheduled to open in Dubai later this year through an agreement with IHOP franchisee Mohamed Makawi. The move comes as part of Dine Brands International growth plans which will see them place emphasis on growth in key markets such as North America, The Middle East, Asia and Latin America.
“Mohamed, as a long-time IHOP operator in the U.S., 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 endeavor,” said Tony Moralejo, President, International, Dine Brands Global, Inc.
“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,” added Moralejo.
