More than $100m of deals have been generated at the 5 Franchise UAE Expo.
The trade event, centred on franchise, retail and SMEs, was organised by Franchise Middle East, and held at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel in Dubai, where exhibitors from eighteen countries, representing 80 brands, were visited by more than 3,000 people from countries including China, Japan, and Iran.
The success of the show has led organisers to aim for an even bigger event next year.
Chairman and CEO of Franchise Middle East Consultancy, Mana Al Suwaidi, said: “The overwhelming response to the show has prompted us to target over 100 franchise brands for the next year’s event, covering sixteen sectors.
“From this year, Franchise Expo UAE is being listed on the global calendar of franchise industry events, on the lines of the established shows held annually in France, the US, and Singapore.”
Among the brands which attracted a lot of interest were local F&B companies such as Mandilicious and Halwa & Gahwa Fresh Plus.
Hamad S. Al Neaimi, chairman of HSSI Group, which runs the Halwa and Ghawa chocolate chain, said: “This event has taken us closer to our goal of making Halwa and Gahwa a global brand, and position itself as the world’s best chocolate.
“We have already firmed up plans for the GCC, and our goal is to expand into Asia in 2015, Europe in 2016, and the US by 2017.”
Fayex Al Nusari, managing director of Arabic cuisine concept Mandilicious, said: “There has been tremendous interest in our brand because we bring authentic and quality Arabian cuisine to food courts. By the end of 2014 we will have fifteen outlets in the UAE. During this exhibition we have signed up for three GCC territories, which means we will soon have multiple outlets across the GCC.”
Follow us on
