MARYVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 2, 2009--
Casual-dining restaurant leader Ruby Tuesday, Inc. today announced that
it is continuing its aggressive growth in the Middle East with the
awarding of franchise development rights for restaurants in Abu Dhabi in
the United Arab Emirates.
After opening three Ruby Tuesday restaurants in Dubai in the past 12
months, franchisee Bin Hendi Hospitality, LLC plans to open six new
restaurants in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The
expanded franchise means a total of 18 Ruby Tuesdays are slated for
development in the UAE by Bin Hendi. Last year the franchisee added five
Emirate territories to its then-current agreement for restaurant
openings in Dubai.
There are now six Ruby Tuesday franchisees in the Middle East, with
locations in Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Other Ruby Tuesday
restaurants are being developed in Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon and
Oman by other franchisees.
The Persian Gulf region is one of the fastest growing for casual dining
brands, according to Mark Ingram, President of Global PartnerShips,
Inc., who heads Ruby Tuesday’s international franchise development
efforts. “Abu Dhabi is a very important and exciting part of our
expansion in the Middle East, and Bin Hendi Enterprises is a very
successful and diversified retail company there,” he said. “We are
pleased to continue to partner with Bin Hendi for additional development
throughout the Emirates. Adding this final territory to our agreements
with Bin Hendi means we will have a single franchisee for the entire
UAE.”
The Abu Dhabi restaurants will be developed and opened over the coming
five years and will feature menu choices, service standards, and décor
that are consistent with the Ruby Tuesday brand in the United States.
“My goal is to have a diversified business to provide the people of my
country with many more than just basic services,” said Mohi-Din
Abdalkadir Bin Hendi, founder and president of Bin Hendi Hospitality and
its affiliate, Bin Hendi Enterprises. “We always try to do things with
quality, taste, and style.” Bin Hendi Enterprises owns and operates
businesses in hospitality services, fashion, real estate development,
oil field supplies, trading and distribution, and other categories.
About Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday was founded more than 35 years ago, when current Chairman
and CEO Sandy Beall opened the first restaurant near the University of
Tennessee in Knoxville in 1972. Since then, the company has grown to
over 900 company-owned and franchised restaurants in 45 states, the
District of Columbia, 14 foreign countries, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Ruby
Tuesday has been expanding its franchise presence around the world
during the past several years and continues to aggressively seek
international franchising opportunities.
Ruby Tuesday, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RT).
More information about the company may be found at www.rubytuesday.com.
Source: Ruby Tuesday, Inc.
Media Contact:
Hopewell, LLC
Rick Johnson, 865-379-5700