Alshaya Partners with Babel Restaurant Brand to Expand in the MENA Region

07 Oct 2013

M.H. Alshaya Co. ('Alshaya') has announced the signing of a franchise partnership with Afkar Holding Group, the Lebanese Babel restaurant operator. The partnership supports the expansion of Babel, the acclaimed Lebanese restaurant brand, into selected markets across the Middle East and North Africa.

Babel, which has achieved five-star accreditation in Lebanon, is renowned for its dynamic restaurant design, its progressive interpretation of Lebanese ingredients, and its outstanding hospitality. The first Babel restaurants to be managed by Alshaya, one of the world's leading international retail franchise operators, are expected to open in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, each with the distinctive design and architecture that characterises the brand.

The brand was established in Lebanon in 2009 with the opening of Babel in Dbayeh. Babel Bay in Zaituna Bay followed in 2012, with Babel Bahr in the Amchit area of Lebanon opening most recently in August 2013. All three restaurants have achieved a reputation and loyal following through word of mouth alone. Guests at Babel are introduced to the tastes and flavours of traditional Lebanese cuisine, reinvented with a contemporary twist and using outstanding, high-quality ingredients.

Commenting on the new partnership, Dory Rizk, CEO of Afkar Holding Group said: "At Babel, we are committed to bringing our customers a compelling hospitality experience that explores the complexity of Lebanese cuisine and delivers outstanding service and ambience. We are very pleased to partner with Alshaya, whose proven reputation for successfully franchising international brands gives us great confidence about Babel's future growth outside of Lebanon."

Mohammed Alshaya added: "We are delighted to be able to bring this outstanding Lebanese dining concept to new markets, further broadening the diversity of dining choices that we are able to offer our customers. In the short time since it was founded, Babel has rapidly earned a reputation for excellence, and we look forward to partnering with the brand to replicate its success beyond Lebanon."