DUBAI
The Lebanese restaurant chain Zaatar W Zeit is set to open its first branch outside the Middle East in the coming months.
The announcement was quietly made in mid-September, when the restaurant’s website began to display a branch in Vancouver, Canada.
The new location was accompanied by the following text: “Spreading our love to Vancouver! We will open our doors soon to all food lovers in Vancouver. Address: 531 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.”
Middle Eastern food franchiser Cravia Group, the parent company of Zaatar W Zeit, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
An executive from Cravia, who asked not to be named as the announcement was still technically private, confirmed the move.
“We are opening in the coming few months in Vancouver,” the executive said, declining to provide further details.
Lebanese blog The 961 claims that the chain has plans to open further branches in Canada.
Zaatar W Zeit, which operates 15 branches in the UAE alone, is also present in Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Upper estimates put the number of Lebanese migrants in Canada at approximately a quarter of a million, making it one of the largest Lebanese diasporas in the world.
In May 2016, Dubai-based Fajr Capital completed its investment in Cravia Group, acquiring what was understood to be a majority stake in the franchiser, according to Reuters.
Cravia Group, which operates brands such as Cinnabon, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Five Guys, said in a statement at the time that the acquisition would help the company expand into new and existing markets.
The company said in 2016 that its business had grown by 15 to 25 per cent across its portfolio the year before, fuelled by the region’s booming food courts.
Zaatar W Zeit, known for its chicken wraps, fried halloumi and manakeesh, was founded in Lebanon in 1999.
