Blessed by Geography, Fujairah Flexes New Clout - NYTimes.com

Blessed by Geography, Fujairah Flexes New Clout - NYTimes.com:

"

Karim Sahib/Agence France-Presse - Getty Images

A grand mosque was under construction in May 2012 in Fujairah, a tiny emirate that has been developing into an export hub for oil from the United Arab Emirates.

When the first McDonald’s opened in 2010 in Fujairah, the main traffic circle nearby was jammed as locals lined up to sample the first international restaurant in their neighborhood.

“The police had to be called to regulate traffic, and sandwiches were flowing like a river,” says Saron T., the assistant manager of the 24-hour drive-through restaurant who declined to give his full last name.

Since then other chains, like Pizza Hut and KFC, have put down flags. And McDonald’s is planning another outlet or two in the tiny emirate sandwiched between a mountain range and the Gulf of Oman."

'via Blog this'