By John Lee. Japan's specialty coffee brand % Arabica has reportedly signed a master franchise agreement with Dubai-based Al-Handal International Group, paving the way for its Iraq launch. Key Details: First Iraq Store: Expected to open in Baghdad by late 2025, with further expansion in 2026. MENA Growth: Iraq becomes the 10th regional market for […]
By John Lee. Saudi Arabia cafe chain Kyan Café has opened its first branch in Iraq. The outlet in Basra will initially open from 2:00pm until midnight, but has plans to extend this to 24 hours. It is Kyan's 356th store worldwide. (Source: Kyan Café)
By John Lee. US-based FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has announced the opening of its first Johnny Rockets fast-food restaurant in Iraq. The new site is located in the Alyarmouk [Yarmouk] neighborhood Baghdad, and is operated by Alanwar Alarabiya. The first Johnny Rockets restaurant opened in 1986 in Los Angeles, and the chain now […]
By John Lee. FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Hot Dog on a Stick and 16 other restaurant concepts, has announces a new development deal to open 10 new franchised locations in Iraq. In partnership with Global Vita USA LLC, 10 Hot Dog on a Stick locations will open throughout the country […]
By John Lee. More information has been revealed about the entry of US-based Duck Donuts to the Iraqi market. The company announced in April that it had signed a franchise agreement for 10 shops in Iraq, but gave no further details. Franchise Times has now reported that the franchisee is Rian Mohammad, an engineer and […]
By John Lee. FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands, parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo's Express, Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery, and 13 other restaurant concepts, has announced a new development deal to open 22 new franchised locations in Iraq. In partnership with Global Vita USA LLC, 12 co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's Express locations will open […]
By Joshua Levkowitz for Middle East Eye. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq: American fast food is leaving its mark two decades after the invasion US franchises such as Burger King and Cold Stone Creamery open with fanfare, including appearances […]
By John Lee. US-based Duck Donuts has said it has signed a franchise agreement for 10 shops in Iraq. Eric Lavinder, Duck Donuts chief development officer, said: "We welcome our newest franchise partners to the system and look forward to supporting them throughout their journey as a small business owner." The company did not disclose […]
By John Lee. US bakery and café chain Cinnabon has reportedly entered the Iraqi market. According to World Coffee Portal, the Focus Brands-owned operator has opened a store in Baghdad's Al Jadiriyah neighbourhood. Founded in Seattle in 1985, Cinnabon currently operates more than 1,600 franchise locations worldwide, primarily in high-traffic venues such as shopping malls, […]
By John Lee. According to a report from Associated Press (AP), a chain of three unauthorised "Starbucks" coffee shops is operating in Baghdad. It says genuine Starbucks merchandise is imported from neighboring countries, but without permission from the US-based corporation. Starbucks is reported to have filed a lawsuit for trademark violation, but the case was […]
By John Lee. A team from the University of Mosul has reportedly helped to create a restaurant in Mosul that uses robot waiters. According to AFP, everything at the White Fox restaurant is digital, including the 15 touch-screen tables with built-in menus. More here. (Source: AFP)
By John Lee. As long term observers of events in Iraq, the team at Iraq Business News thought we might have seen just about every unexpected story from a nation that continues to surprise. We'd heard of the popularity of the Japanese comic character Hello Kitty in Iraq or the trend among some young Iraqis for playing […]
