Jake’s Inks Middle East Expansion Deal

Jake’s Wayback Burgers has grown to 72 stores in 22 states since its debut in Newark, Del., in 1991. Now it will have a presence in 28 countries in the Middle East and Africa. The Cheshire, Conn., chain has entered the international arena through an agreement with Topaz Mena LLC, a Saudi Arabian firm that will oversee the opening of 60-plus units in its home region. Beginning next spring, Topaz will open its own locations in Dubai and Saudi Arabia and sell sub-master franchises to the other area countries. Yasser Ibrahim, a veteran of growing franchise concepts in the region, including KFC, Pizza Hut and Burger King, has been named CEO.