Americana secures 75-year Malak Al Tawouk licence and acquires UAE and KSA units

Core Insights - Americana Restaurants International (AMR) has entered into a long-term exclusive licensing agreement to develop and operate the Lebanese quick service brand Malak Al Tawouk (MAT) for 75 years across 13 markets in the GCC, Levant, North Africa, and Central Asia [1][3] - AMR has also signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in MAT's current franchisees in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which operate a total of 10 stores [3][4] Company Overview - Malak Al Tawouk is a family-owned Lebanese brand established in 1996, known for its signature Tawouk sandwich, with over 45 restaurants in Lebanon and 19 in the Middle East, as well as locations in France and Canada [2] - The existing MAT franchisees in the UAE and KSA have an annualized revenue of nearly $21.1 million, with a pre-IFRS EBITDA of $2.3 million and net income of $1.7 million [4] Strategic Implications - The acquisition of MAT marks AMR's entry into the Arabic quick service segment, which is identified as one of the fastest-growing categories in the region [3] - AMR's chairman emphasized that this acquisition is a decisive step towards diversifying into Arabic cuisine and reflects the company's growth ambitions [5]