News

Boston Market opening in Middle East

June 6, 2016

Boston Market has signed an area development agreement with Al-Ghunaim Trading Co Ltd to open dozens of Boston Market restaurants in the Middle East, according to a company press release. 

Al-Ghunaim Trading has agreed to develop restaurants in Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan. The agreement is part of a plan by Boston Market to open 25 to 30 restaurants across the Middle East over the next few years, said Boston Market CEO George Michel, also known as The Big Chicken.

"Boston Market introduced America to a totally fresh concept in home-style, fast casual dining more than 30 years ago, and now that story will begin again in seven overseas markets," he said.

Al-Ghunaim, which owns and operates a variety of brands including Chili's, Johnny Carino's Italian Grill, The Pizzeria, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Cinnamonster and Which Wich, was named one of the top companies making an impact in Kuwait by Forbes Middle East at a ceremony held in Kuwait on May 31, 2016.

"We anticipate a strong consumer response to the Boston Market concept," Abdulghani Al-Ghunaim, CEO of said Al-Ghunaim Trading Co. "There is no restaurant concept like Boston Market in the Middle East and the quality and taste will result in loyal customers."

The company plans to open its first restaurant in Kuwait as part of this agreement in 2016 or early 2017.

This development agreement marks the continuation of the expansion of Boston Market, including domestic expansion with recent openings in New York, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, Missouri and Texas. The company is planning to open 12 new restaurants in 2016, according to the release.