With the discovery of oil in the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas, the Middle East has become a prosperous region. It boasts some of the highest concentrations of millionaires in the world. There is plenty of wealth to go around, and with that wealth, a penchant to indulge in luxurious hotels and restaurants.

1. THE LAND OF
RESTAURANT
OPPORTUNITY
MIDDLE EAST:
THE

2. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Middle East Overview
3
Bahrain
5
Egypt
7
Israel
9
Jordan
11
Kuwait
13
Lebanon
15
Oman
17
Qatar
19
Saudi Arabia
21
United Arab Emirates
23
About the Author
25
About AARON ALLEN & associates
26
2

3. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
With the discovery of oil in the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas, the Middle East has
become a prosperous region. It boasts some of the highest concentrations of millionaires
in the world.There is plenty of wealth to go around, and with that wealth, a penchant to
indulge in luxurious hotels and restaurants.
3
MIDDLE EAST OVERVIEW
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES

4. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
RELIGION’S IMPACT ON BUSINESS
The predominant religion of the Middle East is Islam. Restaurateurs interested in expanding into this
region should note that many countries there adhere to Shari’a law – the law of Islam, which forbids
men and women from interacting except in familial circumstances. Unmarried men and women
cannot dine together, and women cannot work side-by-side with a man. Such laws and cultural norms
make many restaurant and employment policies a challenge for restaurateurs with little experience in
the region.
Islam also demands a Halal diet, which restricts alcohol and meat consumption. Bacon and pork
products are banned.There are stipulations regarding how an animal should be killed to be deemed
suitable for consumption as well.
KEY FACTS & FIGURES
• Due to the restrictions in Shari’a Law, Middle Easterners dine out as a primary source of
entertainment – data shows they dine out three to four times a week in some countries.
• Western brands have seen abundant success in the Middle East, even when they are still
relatively unknown in their own countries – like Miami Subs.
• Cafés are popular among youths in the Middle East. Hot drinks are slated to grow124.9 percent
from 2009 to 2014 in Saudi Arabia alone.
MIDDLE EAST OVERVIEW
4
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES

5. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
BAHRAIN MARKET OVERVIEW
GDP: $28.1 BILLION
POPULATION: 1.2 MILLION
GROWTH in 2012: 4.2 PERCENT
MARKET SIZE (Number of Restaurants): NOT REPORTED
RESTAURANTS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS: NOT REPORTED
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANK*: 42
BIGGEST PLAYERS
From 2005 to 2010, Bahrain saw a 75 percent increase in the chained consumer foodservice
segment. Well-known brands were met with success, as was the case with restaurants like The Meat
Co and Ken Lo’s Memories of China. Jumeirah’s Urbano is slated to open in 2014.
The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay (271 rooms, 2014), Ibis Manama Seef (304 rooms, 2014), and
Staybridge Suites Bahrain Al Seef (130 rooms, 2014) are set to join the Bahrain hospitality market
where The Holiday Inn, Swiss-Belhotel, Kempinski, and Wyndham now sit. Mövenpick received the
TripAdvisor Award for Excellence in 2013, recognizing outstanding hospitality practices.
KEY FACTS & FIGURES
• Bahrain has the best free market economy in the Middle East.
• The GDP is expected to grow 6.2 percent in 2013.
• Bahrain’s foodservice industry was valued at $267.7 million in 2010.
5
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
*On a scale of 1 to 185, 1 as the easiest

6. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
EGYPT MARKET OVERVIEW
GDP: $264.7 BILLION
POPULATION: 84.2 MILLION
GROWTH in 2012: 2 PERCENT
MARKET SIZE (Number of Restaurants): 50,603
RESTAURANTS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS: 6.0
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANK*: 109 (subnational)
BIGGEST PLAYERS
Wimpy was the first international burger brand in Egypt – and its reception sparked a craving for
Western food. There are 123 KFCs, 63 Pizza Huts, and 43 McDonald’s branches across Egypt.
St. Regis Cairo is set to make its Egyptian debut with 292 rooms in 2014 along with Crowne Plaza
Sharm El Sheik Citystars (418 rooms, 2013), Holiday Inn Sharm El Sheik (432 rooms, 2014), and
InterContinental Sharm El Sheik (256 rooms, 2015).
KEY FACTS FIGURES
• Due to political unrest, Egypt saw 3.2 million fewer tourists in 2012.
• Hotel room rates began to rise in May 2013, but the overthrow of Mohammed Morsi sparked
protest, which has hurt hotel and restaurant growth.
• Egypt is home to the Oasis Heliopolis – the world’s largest food court, with 35 different cuisines
represented.
6
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
*On a scale of 1 to 185, 1 as the easiest

7. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
ISRAEL MARKET OVERVIEW
GDP: $252.8 BILLION
POPULATION: 4.3 MILLION
GROWTH in 2012: 3.1 PERCENT
MARKET SIZE (Number of Restaurants): 13,697
RESTAURANTS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS: 31.9
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANK*: 135
BIGGEST PLAYERS
Tabasco Holdings Ltd, (who operates Pizza Hut and KFC in Israel) currently holds the largest share of
Israel’s quick serve restaurant market – 2.2 percent in 2011. Other key franchise players include Yum!
Brands Inc., Domino’s Pizza Inc., McDonald’s Corp., Burger King Holdings Inc., and Sbarro Inc.
Scheduled to open in November of 2013 is the $150 million Waldorf Astoria (226 rooms). A Herods
Hotel in Herzliya (250 rooms) is also coming soon, following the early 2013 opening of a Herods
Dead Sea property. Kempinski is opening a 220 room hotel inTel Aviv.
KEY FACTS FIGURES
• Israel’s tourism industry brings in $9.3 billion.
• The Israeli government is now offering grants to companies looking to build or expand their
hotels. For 2012, they spent $52.9 million on projects to build, expand, and improve 37 hotels.
• At the end of 2012, 340 hotels (47,900 rooms) were operational.
7
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
*On a scale of 1 to 185, 1 as the easiest

8. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
JORDAN MARKET OVERVIEW
GDP: $34.1 BILLION
POPULATION: 6.5 MILLION
GROWTH in 2012: 3.3 PERCENT
MARKET SIZE (Number of Restaurants): NOT REPORTED
RESTAURANTS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS: NOT REPORTED
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANK*: 106
BIGGEST PLAYERS
Zuwwadeh, Osra, and Cantaloupe Gastro Pub are local favorites in Jordan’s restaurant industry.
Western chains are not as drawn to the country due to unrest in neighboring countries. McDonald’s,
for instance, has only 19 locations in all of Jordan. Starbucks has 9.
Mövenpick, Four Seasons, Kempinski, and InterContinental all have impressive luxury properties in
Jordan, but they have competition coming. By 2015, the Fairmont Amman (300 rooms), Aqaba (200
rooms), and W Amman Hotel (280 rooms) should be operational, among others.
KEY FACTS FIGURES
• In 2012, Jordan’s hotel occupancy rate was 70 percent.
• The Jordanian government is investing $20 million in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone – a
development area with low taxes and a duty-free market along the Red Sea.
• The trade and hospitality industry makes up 9 percent of Jordan’s GDP.
8
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
*On a scale of 1 to 185, 1 as the easiest

9. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
KUWAIT MARKET OVERVIEW
GDP: $173.4 BILLION
POPULATION: 3.9 MILLION
GROWTH in 2012: 1.1 PERCENT
MARKET SIZE (Number of Restaurants): 4,783
RESTAURANTS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS: 12.3
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANK*: 82
BIGGEST PLAYERS
Smashburger, Fatburger, CaliBurger, Burger King – Kuwait is drawing in many Western brands and
they’re finding success there. Who’s next? Kuwait will soon be getting its first Tim Horton’s and Sushi
Shop – two Canadian brands with big hopes for the country.
Radisson Blu Kuwait (191 rooms) has reopened after three years and a $52 million remodel as
Jumeirah Messila Beach Hotel Spa (409 rooms, 2013). InterContinental Kuwait-Downtown (220
rooms, 2015) and Staybridge Suites Kuwait Farwaniya (120 rooms, 2015) will open for the first time.
KEY FACTS FIGURES
• Trade, hotels, and restaurants make up 3.7 percent of Kuwait’s GDP.
• Kuwait is implementing a $110 billion development plan to diversify the oil-based economy and
modernize the country by building up new roads, bridges, hospitals, and power stations.
• $3.5 billion is spent annually at restaurants in Kuwait.
9
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
*On a scale of 1 to 185, 1 as the easiest

10. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
LEBANON MARKET OVERVIEW
GDP: $43.8 BILLION
POPULATION: 4.1 MILLION
GROWTH in 2012: 2 PERCENT
MARKET SIZE (Number of Restaurants): 8,000
RESTAURANTS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS: 19.5
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANK*: 115
BIGGEST PLAYERS
Lebanon’s contracting hospitality industry has seen hotel and restaurant closures across the board, but
some still see potential in this market. InterContinental opened its first Staybridge Suites (121 rooms,
2013) in Lebanon with Summerland Kempinski (151 rooms, 2013), Al Abadiyah Hills Hotel, and
Residences Kempinski (78 rooms, 2014) in the works.
KEY FACTS FIGURES
• Lebanon ranks 10th out of 15 Middle Eastern countries in economic freedom.
• The first six months of 2013 had a 6.5 percent decrease in tourism to Lebanon, while 2012 saw a
drop of 17.5 percent.
• Beirut’s famous Le Bristol hotel announced in June of 2013 that it plans to put $30 million into
renovations.
10
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
*On a scale of 1 to 185, 1 as the easiest

11. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
OMAN MARKET OVERVIEW
GDP: $78.8 BILLION
POPULATION: 3.2 MILLION
GROWTH in 2012: 4.2 PERCENT
MARKET SIZE (Number of Restaurants): NOT REPORTED
RESTAURANTS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS: NOT REPORTED
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANK*: 47
BIGGEST PLAYERS
Western brands are thriving in Oman, with Coffee Bean Tea Leaf winning the Oman Today
Restaurant Award in February 2013.Yum! Brands Awarded its Oman operations the Yum Restaurants
International People’s Award in 2012 for its stellar staff training across all 32 locations.
The Crowne Plaza Duqum Resort (228 rooms, 2013), W Hotel Muscat (250 rooms, 2014), and Four
Seasons Resort Oman (200 rooms, 75 residences, 2015) join such brands as Shangri-La,
InterContinental, and Radisson in Oman.
KEY FACTS FIGURES
• Oman is set to accommodate 2,000 new hotel rooms by the end of 2013.
• Only 0.1 percent of Oman’s land is arable, meaning 80 percent of the country’s food is imported.
• Oman held its first ever Barista Championship in September of 2013.
11
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
*On a scale of 1 to 185, 1 as the easiest

12. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
QATAR MARKET OVERVIEW
GDP: $188.8 BILLION
POPULATION: 1.9 MILLION
GROWTH in 2012: 5.2 PERCENT
MARKET SIZE (Number of Restaurants): 1,946
RESTAURANTS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS: 10.2
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANK*: 109
BIGGEST PLAYERS
The announcement that Qatar will hold the 2022 World Cup means that FB is going to grow in this
Middle Eastern nation – and fast. FB concepts such as Megu, Tse Yang, Pampano, Mango Tree,
Carluccio’s and Burj Al Hamam have seen success in Qatar and are set to open up with new concepts
in the coming years.
The Four Seasons Doha at the Pearl (300 rooms, 2014), M Gallery Doha Musheireb (215 rooms,
2015), and Pullman Doha West Bay (371 rooms, 97 apartments, 2015) are all slated to come to Qatar
to join the Hilton, Crowne Plaza, and St. Regis hotels.
KEY FACTS FIGURES
• Qatar’s government is set to invest $17 million in tourism.
• To host the 2022 World Cup, Qatar will have to add 46,593 rooms to its hospitality industry
(which currently has 5,544 rooms).
• Tourism increased 12 percent in 2012, with 84 percent of guests staying in four or five star hotels.
12
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
*On a scale of 1 to 185, 1 as the easiest

13. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
SAUDI ARABIA MARKET OVERVIEW
GDP: $745.6 BILLION
POPULATION: 29.6 MILLION
GROWTH in 2012: 4.4 PERCENT
MARKET SIZE (Number of Restaurants): 16,118
RESTAURANTS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS: 5.4
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANK*: 22
BIGGEST PLAYERS
Of the top 20 restaurant chains in Saudi Arabia, more than half are Western brands. These include
Baskin Robbins, KFC, McDonald’s, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Pizza Hut, Hardee’s, Mövenpick, Starbucks,
Burger King, Domino’s, and Dunkin Donuts.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is set to build the largest Holiday Inn in the world in Saudi
Arabia.The hotel will have 1,238 rooms and is due to open in 2016. Also in the works? Crowne Plaza
Riyadh Olaya (308 rooms, 2015), Radisson Blu Riyadh Ring Road (252 rooms, 2015), Four Points by
Sheraton Dhahrain (236 rooms, 2014), and Aloft Riyadh (238 rooms, 2014).
KEY FACTS FIGURES
• Wholesale and retail trade, hotels, and restaurants make up 5 percent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP.
• Saudi Arabia allocated $218.7 billion to revamp public transportation, expand healthcare, and
increase education funds.
• Due to Muslim customs, women are not permitted to work alongside men.
13
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
*On a scale of 1 to 185, 1 as the easiest

14. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
MARKET OVERVIEW
GDP: $396.4 BILLION
POPULATION: 5.7 MILLION
GROWTH in 2012: 3.1 PERCENT
MARKET SIZE (Number of Restaurants): 11,000
RESTAURANTS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS: 19.2
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANK*: 26
BIGGEST PLAYERS
The UAE is home to many award-winning restaurants and bars such as Okku, Hakkasan, and Reflets Par
Pierre Gagnaire. As for fast food, there are 109 McDonald’s locations in the UAE, as well as 102
Starbucks, 98 KFC locations and 69 Pizza Huts. In fact, the UAE is Yum! Brands 23rd top market
internationally.
Starwood Hotels Resorts is set to open 23 new hotels in the UAE by the end of 2014, along with
the Four Seasons, Radisson, Crowne Plaza, and InterContinental.
When talking about the biggest players in the UAE, it’s important to highlight the St. Regis Saadiyat
Island Resort which allegedly has the largest hotel suite in the country.The 2100m² Royal Suite boasts
four bedrooms, a 12-seater dining room, mini theatre, and game room – complete with billiard table.
KEY FACTS FIGURES
• In 2012, hotels in the UAE saw FB revenues of $491 million USD.
• McDonald’s has secured 25 percent of the fast food industry in the UAE.
• The UAE’s GDP is expected to grow 2.2 percent in 2014.
• The UAE has cracked the Top 20 rankings for most productive economies in the world, making it
the frontrunner to host the 2020 World Expo.
14
• BAHRAIN
• EGYPT
• ISRAEL
• JORDAN
• KUWAIT
• LEBANON
• OMAN
• QATAR
• SAUDI
ARABIA
• UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
*On a scale of 1 to 185, 1 as the easiest

15. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
ABOUTTHE AUTHOR
Third generation restaurateur Aaron Allen has held every industry
position from line-level employee to unit manager. By age 19, he
was running a $10 million food and beverage operation at a 625-
room resort. By 20, he was overseeing a $4 million gulf-front
Caribbean-themed restaurant that served more than 1,800 covers
per day.
Having cut his teeth in operations, Allen eventually transitioned to
restaurant-focused marketing. In 2001, he founded his own
consultancy. By 2008, he’d skyrocketed the company to become
the world’s largest restaurant consulting firm. Major clients
included esteemed brands such as Starwood Resorts and Hotels
Worldwide, The Cheesecake Factory, TGI Fridays, FEMSA (Dos
Equis), BJ’s Restaurants, Hofbrau, Land O’ Lakes, Marriott, SSP and
dozens of other global restaurant chains, regional powerhouse
brands, high-volume independents, food and beverage
manufacturers, distributors, resorts, entertainment districts, hotel
chains and more.
Allen has become one of the most sought-after speakers and
sources for restaurant industry media. He has been a go-to source
for esteemed media outlets such as the Wall Street
Journal, Entrepreneur, Smart Money, MSNBC, TIME, Forbes, USA
Today, Nation’s Restaurant News, Chain Leader, Restaurants
Institutions, European Food Service News, Food Service Middle
East, QSR Magazine, and hundreds more.
15
Aaron Allen

16. The MIDDLE EAST: The Land of Restaurant Opportunity
Aaron Allen Associates provides strategic marketing, concept development, and
executive-level advisory services to leading foodservice and hospitality companies
worldwide. We identify and distill the latest restaurant and hospitality marketing trends.
We prepare tailored presentations for executive management of growth-minded
companies, and then support the development and implementation of innovative
restaurant marketing initiatives within their system.
Collectively our clients post more than $100 billion in global sales and span more than
100 countries across all six inhabited continents. We have worked with a wide range of
clients including high-volume independent operators, multi-billion dollar restaurant chains,
hotels, contract foodservice providers, manufacturers, distributors, and trade associations.
We have direct consulting experience in nearly all cuisine types and operating models.
Additionally, Aaron Allen Associates has extensive experience in the Middle East's
restaurant industry. Beyond our continued research, we travel there several times per year,
and are familiar with the customs, traditions, and other cultural factors that are important
in working successfully in the Middle East.
ABOUT AARON ALLEN ASSOCIATES
16

17. www.aaronallen.com
www.aaronallen.com
United States
390 North Orange Ave
Suite 2300
Orlando, Florida 32801
407-936-1010 (US)
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contact@aaronallen.com