Kiwi burger chain in GCC

UAE-based Alphamed Group will set up around 25 fast food outlets across the GCC under the Burger Fuel brand of gourmet fast-food restaurants from New Zealand. Nidal Abdul Maki, Manager of Alphamed Group, revealed to Emirates Business that the company has signed a franchise agreement with Burger Fuel Worldwide.

"Our first Burger Fuel outlet will be opened in Dubai Festival City by August and we will be opening more outlets in different sites in Dubai," he said. "This is the first time that the Kiwi brand of fast food is coming to the GCC market and we hope to expand operations in other GCC countries."

He added that the chain catered to the upper end of the fast food market.

"We will be investing around Dh15 million to develop the brand in the UAE and the amount of investment required in other GCC countries, especially Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, is being worked out."

Alphamed, a subsidiary of the Al Khayyat Investment Group holding company, has interests ranging from the automotive sectors to real estate. As the master franchisee for the GCC market, the Alphamed Group will operate all the proposed Burger Fuel stores in the UAE, funding all store construction and operational costs.

In a statement, Burger Fuel executive director Josef Roberts said: "Burger Fuel had targeted Dubai because of the city's rapid economic development, high profile and proximity to other countries."

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