UAE-based Relam Investments has signed an exclusive deal with Casual Dining Group, the owner of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia, and Oriel Grande Brasserie in the UAE, reports TradeArabia News Service
Casual Dining Group (CDG), the operator of nearly 300 mid-market restaurant brands including Café Rouge, Bella Italia and Las Iguanas, has agreed to a new franchising deal for its Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Oriel Grande Brasserie brands in the UAE.
The agreement represents a partnership between Relam Investments and CDG, who will become its primary food and beverage partner in the region. After recently committing to invest £300 million into technology and real estate in India, this will be the company’s first food and drink investment.
Sultan Ali Rashed Lootah, chairman and managing director of Relam Investments, said, “When we look for partners, we don’t just want well-known brands, we want operational experts who are the best in class and reflect our company values. CDG specialises in creating unique and memorable customer experiences and we are confident there is significant demand for its brands across the UAE, as the taste for European cuisine rises. The food scene across the UAE, particularly in Dubai, is vibrant and exciting at this moment in time and we are very much looking forward to working together on this new partnership.”
Steve Richards, CEO, Casual Dining Group, said: “This latest agreement clearly demonstrates, once more, our ambition to gain a foothold in foreign markets, taking key learnings from the UK and applying them in other countries. We’re much more than just high street operators and our businesses is diversifying as we seek new ways to utilise the expertise across our business.”
