The American company "Chipotle Mexican Grill" is entering the Middle Eastern market next year through its agreement with the Kuwaiti group "Al-Shaya," its first franchise partner in the region, to open branches of its restaurants in Dubai and Kuwait.
The company signed a partnership agreement with the Kuwaiti group today, stating that it will expand its operations throughout the region.
Chipotle currently owns and operates all of its outlets, including over three thousand restaurants in the United States and more than 50 international locations. The company mentioned that it is exploring global opportunities for other franchise agreements.
The Al-Shaya Group has also partnered with coffee chains "Starbucks" and "Shake Shack," as well as with "Victoria's Secret & Co" and "American Eagle" for retail clothing sales, to open outlets in the Middle East and Europe.
Chipotle's shares rose by about one percent in pre-market trading.
