Abu Dhabi: The Franchise Business & Awards Event, centered on the franchise industry, was organized by Arab Business Media Group and was held at Royal Le Meridian Hotel Abu Dhabi. It brought together 100 brands, 60 franchise companies, and participants from over 20 countries. World Franchise Associates received the International Consulting Firm of the Year award, recognizing the organization’s continuous efforts in supporting growing franchises.
Among the brands that attracted interest included companies such as Jeddah-based Barns Café of Saudi Arabia, Tea Break café, Los Angeles-based Chocolate Bash, Golden Fork of UAE, Dennys, Artisan Bakers from the UAE, GoGold from UAE, Zalomi Electronics, Essence from Moscow, Chickex from UAE and other 100 brands which took place in the expo.
“As one of UAE’s best and most recognized brands, ADNOC Distribution has expanded its business annually and has a growth strategy both in the UAE and the broader GCC region. We are aggressively planning major expansions in the region from 2024,” said the Head of Franchising at Adnoc Distribution, Mr. Vikram Noronha.
Sultan Al Mutalaq, Head of the Franchise Program at Barns Café, said, “There has been organic interest in our brand because we bring an original coffee experience. During this exhibition, we had discussions for master franchises in India and Malaysia, which means we will soon have multiple outlets across the globe.”
Mr.Shanavas of Golden Fork restaurant said, “There has been tremendous interest in our brand because we have brought customers authentic and high-quality Seafood cuisine for 40 years in the UAE. Apart from our franchises in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the exhibition resulted in discussions for master franchises in Beijing, London, and Abu Dhabi, which means we will soon have numerous outlets across the globe.”
Rasha Al Basha, founder of Chocolate Bash, said, “This event has taken us closer to our goal of making us a global brand by expanding into Arab countries through franchising and positioning ourselves as the world’s best Chocolate brand.”
The franchise Investment meets held at the Expo helped franchise businesses from the show forge partnerships with more than AED 100 million worth of deals generated at the Gulf Franchise Expo, Dubai, UAE. During the expo, the Gulf Franchise Awards, which recognized the excellence in the franchise industry of the Arab world, announced the winners of 2024. Franchise industry leaders filled the Royal Le Meridian Ballroom to celebrate 2024’s top franchise entrepreneurs, leaders, and their legacy.
The ceremony began with a keynote speech by the Chief Guest, Khaled Almaeena – about the latest insights into the importance of Gulf-based homegrown franchise brands and how these trends can influence the local economy and help them expand globally.
Adnoc Distribution won the Hall of Fame, and Bird and Bird of the UK won the ‘Best Franchise Law Firm’ award. T. K. Khaleel of Artisan Bakers won the “Baker of the Year award,” and FranGlobal won the Best Global Franchise Expansion Firm award of the year for their contribution towards the franchise industry. Chocolate Bash of Los Angeles won the Promising Franchise Brand of the Year award.
Malaysia-based Pernas won the Best International Government Agency in Franchising, and Dr Radzali Hassan, Chairman of Malaysia Franchise Association, won the Hall of Fame.
Among the winners was Galadari Foods, one of the region’s most prominent developers of Baskin Robbins. The company won the Corporate Hall of Fame Franchise Award. Mohamed Al Zain, CEO of Barns café won the Franchise Leadership Excellence and Growth Achievement award, Sultan Al Mutlaq of Barns Café won the Franchise Leadership Excellence and Growth Achievement Award. Arabia won Franchise Leader of the Year. Zalomi Electronics won the Green Franchise of the Year award, and Go Gold Jewellery won the Franchise Startup of the Year award. Among the Consultants who were Honored were Abeer Juliah of National Franchises, Saudi Arabia, Essam Lootah of UAE, Chain Oman Consulting of Oman, Sary Hamway of The Franchise Trainer, Ahmed Elsadany of F&B Pillars Consulting, April Anonuevo of FranGulf Consulting, UAE and Vasil Mansurulla of Top franchise won the Best Digital Platform of the Year award. Forty Fruity won the Healthy Juice café Franchise of the Year award, and IRMG Mena won the Franchise Development Company of the Year award. Essence won the Franchise Supplier of the Year award. United Investments Firm won the Best Franchise Investment Firm award, Sunil Malhotra of B-Chain won the Franchise Consulting Mergers & Acquisition award, and Action Coach won the Business Coaching Franchise of the Year award.
Source: Arab Franchise Magazine
About World Franchise Associates:
World Franchise Associates (WFA) is a leading international franchise sales, marketing, development, and advisory company. Headquartered in London with international offices in strategic markets, WFA is owned and managed by a team of global franchise experts with many years of combined franchise development and franchise marketing experience.
For more information, contact Jessica Serrao at jessica@worldfranchsieassociates.com
