Habit Burger Grill Heads Overseas

Habit Restaurants hopes to make its fast-casual outlets a habit in the Middle East. The chain’s first-ever international franchise agreement is with Food Quest Restaurant Management, which will develop up to 50 new Habit Burger Grill units in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman over the next decade. Habit Burger debuted in Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1969 and since has grown to 100-plus units in 10 markets throughout its home state, Arizona, New Jersey and Utah. Food Quest manages brands including Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Punjab Grill and Zambar.