Americana signs 75‑year license pact for Malak Al Tawouk, acquires franchisees in UAE, Saudi Arabia

Americana signed long-term exclusive licensing agreement to develop, operate Malak Al Tawouk brand

Americana Restaurants International Plc expanded its portfolio by adding the Malak Al Tawouk (MAT) brand through two strategic and complementary transactions.

In a statement to Tadawul, the company said that it signed a 75-year exclusive license to develop and operate MAT across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

The agreement covers 13 markets across the GCC, the Levant, North Africa, and Central Asia.

In parallel, the company signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the current MAT franchisees in the UAE (7 restaurants) and Saudi Arabia (3 restaurants).

The existing MAT franchisees generate annualized revenues of approximately SAR 79.1 million ($21.1 million), pre-IFRS EBITDA of around SAR 8.6 million ($2.3 million), and net profit of approximately SAR 6.4 million ($1.7 million).

The transaction to acquire the existing MAT franchises is valued at SAR 78 million ($20.8 million), the statement said, adding that it will be funded from the company’s internal cash reserves.

Americana stated that completion of the transaction is subject to obtaining the required regulatory approvals, obtaining clearances from the three relevant parties, fulfilling conditions precedent set out in the relevant agreements, and customary closing adjustments.

The following table shows the parties to the franchise acquisition transaction.

The statement pointed out that MAT is a family-owned Lebanese quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand, founded in Beirut in 1996, and anchored by its signature boneless grilled chicken (Tawouk).

The brand operates more than 45 restaurants in Lebanon and 19 across the Middle East, cementing its position as a leading regional brand. Backed by a multi-decade brand legacy, it has also expanded internationally with stores in France and Canada.

The company clarified that the following figures relate to the standalone financial statements of Yummy Junction International Investment.

The statement noted that 2025 marked the first year in which Rock Star International for Meals Serving began generating revenue; therefore, no financial statements are available for prior years.

The addition of MAT advances Americana’s growth strategy to expand its regional footprint. It further strengthens Americana’s position as a food platform operator with a diverse portfolio of brands spanning multiple cuisines and dining occasions.

MAT marks Americana’s entry into the Arabic segment, one of the fastest-growing categories in the region, through a brand with proven performance, scalable operations, and authentic offerings that strongly resonate with customers.

The transaction of acquiring the existing MAT franchisees is expected to be completed by the end of February 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and other approvals. Following completion, Americana will focus on integration and regional scale-up, with the MAT brand expected to become a cornerstone of the company’s growth journey and a key driver of shareholder value.

Americana noted that the announcement contains forward-looking statements based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and is subject to risks and uncertainties because it relates to future events and depends on circumstances that may or may not occur.

There are no related parties to the deal, the statement added.