Latest news with #premiumfood
Zawya
15 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Americana Restaurants expands into Premium Retail with carpo World Ltd Franchise Agreement
Abu Dhabi and Riyadh: Americana Restaurants International Plc, the leading quick-service and casual dining operator across the MENA region and Kazakhstan, has signed an exclusive franchise agreement with carpo – the premium lifestyle brand, originated in Athens, renowned for its premium nuts, artisanal chocolates, and refined coffee. The agreement grants Americana exclusive rights to build and operate carpo stores in Kuwait and Qatar, with further expansion planned across Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Americana will begin the rollout with flagship stores expected to open by late 2025, marking its entry into the region's luxury food retail sector. Founded in 1991 in Athens, carpo has earned global recognition for its premium quality products sourced globally, that combines unique indulgence with the art craftsmanship. The brand operates in high-end retail locations across Greece and the UK and has already established a strong presence in the UAE with its successful store in Dubai Mall, launched in 2022. Building on this momentum, carpo brand is set to open its next store at the prestigious Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi this autumn. This partnership represents a strategic diversification for Americana, expanding beyond its core restaurant operations into the high-margin premium retail space. Mr. Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of the Board, commented: 'Partnering with carpo allows us to tap into a sophisticated, fast-growing segment with a globally respected brand built on craftsmanship and excellence. It reflects our continued focus on innovation, brand elevation, and delivering differentiated experiences to our customers across the region." Kostas Kontopoulos, Founder & CEO, carpo, commented: 'At carpo, we believe in creating spaces where people connect through the beauty of exceptional ingredients and timeless craftsmanship. Partnering with Americana, a regional powerhouse with deep operational expertise, enables us to bring the carpo experience to consumers across the Gulf. This marks not just a commercial milestone, but the beginning of a shared vision to elevate consumer experience through heartfelt product offering and service excellence.' The introduction of carpo aligns with Americana's commitment to building communities around the joy of food, now extended into a luxury retail dimension that prioritizes quality, sustainability, and storytelling. About Americana Restaurants Americana Restaurants is the largest out-of-home dining and quick service restaurant (QSR) operator in its 12 countries of operation across the Middle East, North Africa and Kazakhstan. The Company's portfolio includes a range of iconic global brands, including KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardee's, Krispy Kreme, Peet's Coffee, Wimpy, TGI Friday's, Costa Coffee Baskin Robbins and carpo. Americana Restaurants' customer-centric restaurant platform, which includes 20 proprietary SuperApps, allows customers to experience their favourite global restaurant brands and meals when they want, where they want and how they want. The Company's historic IPO on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and the Saudi Exchange in 2022 marked the region's first-ever concurrent dual-listing. Today, Americana Restaurants is a leading master franchisee and a food and beverage pioneer with decades-long heritage, an extensive geographic footprint, long-standing franchisor relationships and a diverse restaurant portfolio that spans the full out-of-home dining spectrum from QSR to fast casual, coffee and indulgence.
Zawya
17 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Americana seals franchise deal with premium Greek lifestyle brand
Americana Restaurants International, a leading quick-service and casual dining operator across the Mena region and Kazakhstan, has signed an exclusive franchise agreement with carpo – a premium Greek lifestyle brand, originated in Athens, renowned for its premium nuts, artisanal chocolates, and refined coffee. The agreement grants Americana exclusive rights to build and operate carpo stores in Kuwait and Qatar, with further expansion planned across Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Americana will begin the rollout with flagship stores expected to open by late 2025, marking its entry into the region's luxury food retail sector, said the company in a statement. Founded in 1991 in Athens, carpo has earned global recognition for its premium quality products sourced globally, that combines unique indulgence with the art craftsmanship. The brand operates in high-end retail locations across Greece and the UK and has already established a strong presence in the UAE with its successful store in Dubai Mall, launched in 2022. Building on this momentum, carpo brand is set to open its next store at the prestigious Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi this autumn. This partnership represents a strategic diversification for Americana, expanding beyond its core restaurant operations into the high-margin premium retail space, it stated. Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of the Board, said: 'Partnering with carpo allows us to tap into a sophisticated, fast-growing segment with a globally respected brand built on craftsmanship and excellence. It reflects our continued focus on innovation, brand elevation, and delivering differentiated experiences to our customers across the region." Kostas Kontopoulos, Founder & CEO, carpo, said: 'At carpo, we believe in creating spaces where people connect through the beauty of exceptional ingredients and timeless craftsmanship." "Partnering with Americana, a regional powerhouse with deep operational expertise, enables us to bring the carpo experience to consumers across the Gulf. This marks not just a commercial milestone, but the beginning of a shared vision to elevate consumer experience through heartfelt product offering and service excellence,' he noted. The introduction of carpo aligns with Americana's commitment to building communities around the joy of food, now extended into a luxury retail dimension that prioritizes quality, sustainability, and storytelling, he added. -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Times
Sainsbury's gets boost from sunny weather
Sainsbury's has reiterated its profit guidance after warm summer weather drove strong sales in its premium food ranges, helping the UK's second-largest grocer secure its highest market share in nine years. The FTSE 100 supermarket chain said customers had chosen to entertain at home rather than dine out over the last three months, resulting in an 18 per cent surge in sales of its Taste the Difference premium food range. Deli and picnic items such as ham croquettes, aioli, pecorino, and burrata proved especially popular as shoppers opted for informal gatherings with friends and family. First quarter retail sales excluding fuel rose by 4.9 per cent for the 16 weeks to June 21. On a like-for-like basis, they were up 4.7 per cent compared with a year earlier, and up 4 per cent in the previous quarter. Analysts at Barclays had expected growth of 4.2 per cent on a like-for-like basis. • Business live: UK house prices fall as stamp duty rise hits demand The increase was largely driven by a 5 per cent rise in grocery sales, accelerating from 4.1 per cent in the three months prior. Sainsbury's said the strong grocery performance reflected the success of its 'food first' strategy, which includes expanding food ranges in redesigned stores, offering 'the biggest Aldi price match in the market', and driving loyalty through its Nectar rewards programme. The results helped the supermarket group deliver its highest market share since 2016. Despite the upbeat grocery performance, general merchandise sales showed signs of softening. The division, which includes its Habitat and Tu clothing ranges, posted 4.2 per cent year-on-year growth, down from 6.4 per cent in the previous quarter. Sainsbury's, which acknowledged 'deflationary' discretionary spending, has intentionally reduced the amount of general merchandise on offer in stores as it focuses on its better-performing food ranges. Tu clothing sales rose 8 per cent, which it claimed was ahead of the wider market and supported by stronger availability and improved design. The supermarket has been praised in recent months for its fashionable pyjamas and summer wear. Argos delivered sales growth of 4 per cent, up from 1.9 per cent in the previous quarter. The retailer said it benefited from warmer, drier weather and an easier comparative, along with better product availability across key lines. The group's performance comes amid a challenging economic backdrop, with consumers remaining cautious and spending selectively. Businesses also have been hit by wage hikes and increased national insurance costs, brought on by Rachel Reeves' October budget. Sainsbury's said it still expected to deliver underlying retail operating profit of about £1 billion for the full year and more than £500 million in retail free cash flow. It also reaffirmed its target of £1 billion in cost savings by March 2027, to be achieved through better productivity, more efficient operations and improvements to technology infrastructure. No further job cuts were announced. Simon Roberts, the chief executive of Sainsbury's, will likely be asked today why the grocer kept profit guidance unchanged. Tesco, which beat sales expectations in the first quarter, said earlier this month that was too soon to raise profit guidance as competition in the sector remained 'intensely' competitive. Sales at the UK's largest supermarket chain were lifted by strong demand for salads and summer clothing.
