Applebee’s To Debut In Egypt

First, DineEquity sets up a deal for its IHOP brand to set down roots in the Middle East. Now the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Applebee’s Services, has signed a multi-restaurant franchise agreement with AMECO Foods for the development of ten new Applebee’s restaurants in Egypt.

DineEquity currently has 26 restaurants throughout the Middle East; Applebee’s operates 147 restaurants in 15 countries outside the U.S., with its strongest presence in Mexico, Canada and Saudi Arabia. The brand typically customizes up to 20% of its food and beverage menu to regional tastes.

Egypt is familiar landscape for AMECO, which is currently working to open 30 Dairy Queen locations in the country. AMECO has worked with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Egypt to ensure operational effectiveness and expedite the supply-chain process. The firm anticipates importing from Applebee’s approved U.S. vendors the first year, and transitioning to about 75% approved Egyptian suppliers in the second year.

In June, DineEquity announced the largest international development deal in IHOP history, a multi-restaurant franchise deal for the development of 40 new IHOP restaurants in nine countries in the Middle East. It was the first major expansion of the IHOP chain outside of North America.