Zaatar W Zeit the lebanese reasturant

United Restaurant Development (URD), a subsidiary of the Saudi-based United Group is looking to further expand its business in the Gulf region. It has recently brought to the UAE Lebanon’s famous fast food brand Zaatar w Zeit (ZwZ)—making the emirate the center for the whole Gulf expansion.

This week URD opened on Sheikh Zayed road the first ZwZ of the 15 outlets planned to be set-up in the UAE in the next three years. Additional 30 more stores will be opened soon in the rest of the region, strengthening further URD’s presence in the rest of the Gulf countries.

"ZwZ is a brand that is needed in the UAE. We believe that this segment of the industry is not covered well with good service, good food in a good ambience and casual mix. UAE being a high profile market is the perfect start for the rest of the Gulf because of the exposure the brand will get from Dubai," said Walid Hajj, Group Managing Director for URD.

Hajj commented that UAE is an extremely competitive market in the fast- food and restaurant segment in general. "This has made it almost impossible to find a good location in Dubai, for example. However, we believe that the opportunity is very big once you offer something unique and you have the capability and infrastructure to make the concept work."

ZwZ, an Arabic Café and Mana’eesh specialized restaurant is a proven franchise concept in Lebanon and Kuwait.

Despite the growing competition in the restaurant and fast-food industry in the county, URD is confident that ZwZ, being the first and only 24-hour fast food restaurant to open in the UAE will fare better than expected.

"ZwZ seeks to be unique in the product offering especially in area of customer service. Apart from the regular target market, ZwZ will cater to the late- night crowd of Dubai as it is open 24-hours daily," concluded Hajj.

ZwZ expansion plans in the UAE includes outlets to be opened in Mall of Emirates in September, in Dubai business and residential districts soon and in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates in the next two years.

With proven track record in restaurant concept development, URD’s portfolio also includes franchises for foreign brands like Cinnabon, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Planet Hollywood and Partyland.

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For more information about the press release, please contact:

jumana Liddell
Promax Middle East
04 2829666

jumana@promax.ae