Americana Eyes Adding Five Guys Operator to Middle East Franchise Empire - Bloomberg
Americana Restaurants International Plc is exploring a deal to buy the Middle Eastern operator of brands including Five Guys and Cinnabon, according to people familiar with the matter, in a move that would further expand its network of international food franchises.
The firm is in talks to acquire Cravia Inc. from its private equity owner, Fajr Capital, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential matters. Talks are at an early stage, and there is no certainty a deal will be reached, they added.
Still, a transaction would mark a significant addition to Americana’s portfolio, which includes KFC, Pizza Hut and Krispy Kreme in the region.
Representatives for Fajr declined to comment, while Americana did not respond to requests for comment.
Americana, which is listed in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, counts an investment vehicle owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and real estate tycoon Mohamed Alabbar among its shareholders. Its shares have fallen nearly 60% from an all-time high in late 2023, amid job cuts, an internal restructuring and a consumer boycott of its brands following the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Its pursuit of Cravia comes against the backdrop of the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which has dragged regional equity markets lower, pushed crude prices higher and could weigh on dealmaking in the region.
Cravia, owned by Fajr since 2016, has grown into a regional player with 78 outlets and more than 2,000 employees. In addition to Five Guys and Cinnabon, it operates or manages several other food and beverage brands, including Zaatar W Zeit, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Carvel.
Interest in the company reflects a broader trend in the Gulf, where regional operators with established infrastructure and brand relationships are becoming increasingly attractive to investors. Last year, Saudi Arabia’s Cenomi Retail opened 14 Subway outlets across the kingdom in a single day — a sign of how global brands are leaning on local partners to accelerate expansion in one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
Thursday, 19 June 2025
#UAE Real Estate: Beeah Taps Housing Boom in #Dubai’s Neighbour #Sharjah - Bloomberg
UAE Real Estate: Beeah Taps Housing Boom in Dubai’s Neighbor Sharjah - Bloomberg
A firm backed by members of Sharjah’s ruling family is entering the real estate market with a 5 billion dirham ($1.4 billion) housing project, seeking to tap into growing demand in Dubai’s northern neighbor.
Beeah Group, known for its waste management operations and clean energy initiatives, plans to launch its first residential development in Sharjah, Chief Executive Officer Khaled Al Huraimel said in an interview. The project will include about 1,500 homes, along with shops, offices and sports facilities.
Much of the housing stock will be single-family homes, known locally as villas or townhouses, designed to meet the rising demand for high-quality housing, Al Huraimel said.
Real estate sales in Sharjah climbed 30% in the first quarter of this year, the CEO said. “And that’s demand from end users, not speculators or investors.”
Long viewed as a more affordable alternative to Dubai, Sharjah has seen a surge in real estate activity in recent years. A widening price gap — homes in Dubai can be 40% to 50% more expensive — is pushing residents and investors to look north. Still, home prices in Dubai have jumped nearly 70% over the past four years, prompting some analysts to warn of a potential correction.
Sharjah’s appeal has grown since it allowed foreign property ownership in designated areas. Major players such as Arada Developments, co-owned by the son of Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and a member of Sharjah’s royal family, are already building massive projects like the $9.5 billion Aljada development.
The government has also taken steps to maintain affordability, including a three-year rent freeze for new tenants and limits on increases thereafter.
Beeah plans to fund the project through a mix of equity and off-plan sales. Buyers are expected to come primarily from the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent.
While the company hasn’t disclosed pricing for the project — which will use recycled materials and net-zero ready infrastructure — Al Huraimel said the homes will be offered at “competitive prices, even for Sharjah.”
A firm backed by members of Sharjah’s ruling family is entering the real estate market with a 5 billion dirham ($1.4 billion) housing project, seeking to tap into growing demand in Dubai’s northern neighbor.
Beeah Group, known for its waste management operations and clean energy initiatives, plans to launch its first residential development in Sharjah, Chief Executive Officer Khaled Al Huraimel said in an interview. The project will include about 1,500 homes, along with shops, offices and sports facilities.
Much of the housing stock will be single-family homes, known locally as villas or townhouses, designed to meet the rising demand for high-quality housing, Al Huraimel said.
Real estate sales in Sharjah climbed 30% in the first quarter of this year, the CEO said. “And that’s demand from end users, not speculators or investors.”
Long viewed as a more affordable alternative to Dubai, Sharjah has seen a surge in real estate activity in recent years. A widening price gap — homes in Dubai can be 40% to 50% more expensive — is pushing residents and investors to look north. Still, home prices in Dubai have jumped nearly 70% over the past four years, prompting some analysts to warn of a potential correction.
Sharjah’s appeal has grown since it allowed foreign property ownership in designated areas. Major players such as Arada Developments, co-owned by the son of Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and a member of Sharjah’s royal family, are already building massive projects like the $9.5 billion Aljada development.
The government has also taken steps to maintain affordability, including a three-year rent freeze for new tenants and limits on increases thereafter.
Beeah plans to fund the project through a mix of equity and off-plan sales. Buyers are expected to come primarily from the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent.
While the company hasn’t disclosed pricing for the project — which will use recycled materials and net-zero ready infrastructure — Al Huraimel said the homes will be offered at “competitive prices, even for Sharjah.”
Oil prices jump as Israel-Iran conflict escalates | Reuters
Oil prices jump as Israel-Iran conflict escalates | Reuters
Oil prices rose on Thursday as a week-old air war between Israel and Iran escalated and uncertainty about potential U.S. involvement kept investors on edge.
Brent crude futures were up $1.48, or 1.9%, to $78.18 a barrel by 1230 ET (1630 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for July was up $1.72, or 2.3%, at $76.86.
Trading volumes were light on Thursday due to a U.S. federal holiday.
Oil prices rose on Thursday as a week-old air war between Israel and Iran escalated and uncertainty about potential U.S. involvement kept investors on edge.
Brent crude futures were up $1.48, or 1.9%, to $78.18 a barrel by 1230 ET (1630 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for July was up $1.72, or 2.3%, at $76.86.
Trading volumes were light on Thursday due to a U.S. federal holiday.
Most Gulf markets retreat as Israel, #Iran strikes continue | Reuters
Most Gulf markets retreat as Israel, Iran strikes continue | Reuters
Most stock markets in the Gulf closed lower on Thursday on the seventh day of the Israel-Iran conflict and as U.S. President Donald Trump kept the world guessing about whether the U.S. would join Israel in airstrikes.
Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI), opens new tab lost 0.7%, hit by a 2.3% slide in sharia-compliant lender Dubai Islamic Bank (DISB.DU), opens new tab and a 1.2% decrease in blue-chip developer Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU), opens new tab.
In Saudi Arabia, the benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab reversed early losses to edge 0.2% higher, helped by a 4.9% jump in Umm Al Qura Development and Construction (4325.SE), opens new tab.
However, the index posted a weekly loss of 2.1%.
In Abu Dhabi, the index (.FTFADGI), opens new tab concluded 0.8% down.
Overnight, the U.S. Federal Reserve held rates steady as expected but retained projections for two quarter-point rate cuts this year.
The Fed's decisions impact monetary policy in the Gulf, where most currencies, including the riyals, are pegged to the U.S. dollar.
The Qatari index (.QSI), opens new tab fell 0.8%, with Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA), opens new tab losing 1.3%.
Brent crude futures rose $1.06, or 1.4%, to $77.76 a barrel by 1151 GMT.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab dropped 1.9%, as most of its constituents were in negative territory including Talaat Moustafa Group Holding (TMGH.CA), opens new tab, which was down 5.8%.
Most stock markets in the Gulf closed lower on Thursday on the seventh day of the Israel-Iran conflict and as U.S. President Donald Trump kept the world guessing about whether the U.S. would join Israel in airstrikes.
Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI), opens new tab lost 0.7%, hit by a 2.3% slide in sharia-compliant lender Dubai Islamic Bank (DISB.DU), opens new tab and a 1.2% decrease in blue-chip developer Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU), opens new tab.
In Saudi Arabia, the benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab reversed early losses to edge 0.2% higher, helped by a 4.9% jump in Umm Al Qura Development and Construction (4325.SE), opens new tab.
However, the index posted a weekly loss of 2.1%.
In Abu Dhabi, the index (.FTFADGI), opens new tab concluded 0.8% down.
Overnight, the U.S. Federal Reserve held rates steady as expected but retained projections for two quarter-point rate cuts this year.
The Fed's decisions impact monetary policy in the Gulf, where most currencies, including the riyals, are pegged to the U.S. dollar.
The Qatari index (.QSI), opens new tab fell 0.8%, with Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA), opens new tab losing 1.3%.
Brent crude futures rose $1.06, or 1.4%, to $77.76 a barrel by 1151 GMT.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab dropped 1.9%, as most of its constituents were in negative territory including Talaat Moustafa Group Holding (TMGH.CA), opens new tab, which was down 5.8%.
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