Dubai’s Marka Acquires Chain And Readies Expansion

In May, in one of the largest-ever acquisitions in the UAE of a home-grown foodservice brand, Dubai-based Marka Holding bought restaurant chain Reem Al Bawadi for approximately AED315 million (US$86 million).

Marka, which focuses on the retail and hospitality sector in the UAE, plans an ambitious expansion program across the Gulf Cooperation Council for the family-friendly chain. Openings before year’s end include at least two new company-owned outlets in the UAE and up to five new franchised outlets in the wider Middle East and North Africa regions.

Khaled Almheiri, Marka’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director, said that during the last decade, Reem Al Bawadi has become a landmark for Arabic food in the UAE, and its recent expansion outside its home market into Saudi Arabia and Pakistan has proven the brand’s broad appeal. Ayman Abdel Jaber, the founder and CEO of Reem Al Bawadi, will join Marka in an advisory capacity.