UAE: Al Nasser, Minor Food form JV to foray into food, beverage business

imagesAl Nasser Holdings, an Abu Dhabi-based multi-disciplined business group, has formed a joint venture (JV) with Asian quick-service restaurant company Minor Food Group to foray into food and beverages business.

The JV will initially introduce Australia’s home-grown café brand – The Coffee Club – in the UAE followed by other F&B brands of Minor Food Group across the region.

The Coffee Club has 316 restaurants in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, New Caledonia, China and Egypt.

Al Nasser Holdings chairman Abdulla Nasser Huwaileel Al Mansouri said that the JV marks a very important step for the company to venture into the food and beverages business.

“It opens up exciting business opportunities and new format for the Group. We are confident that our regional exposure and Minor Food Group’s expertise as a major restaurant operator will help us expand our reach across the region,” Al Mansouri added.

“As per the agreement signed, we will initially open a chain of The Coffee Club restaurants at various locations including shopping malls and other lifestyle communities across the Middle East and North Africa, using the existing network of Al Nasser Holdings in the region.

“Later on, we and the Minor Food Group will jointly unveil other F&B brands.”

Minor Food Group CEO Paul Kenny said that The Coffee Club will achieve success in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market with the target of 112 restaurants, including 30 restaurants in the UAE by 2023.

Minor Food currently operates brands, including The Pizza, Thai Express, The Coffee Club, Riverside, Ribs & Rumps, Swensen’s, Dairy Queen, Sizzler and Burger King in 17 countries across Asia.