Burger Fuel moves into Iraq

BurgerFuel Worldwide directors Josef Roberts and Chris Mason (L-R) with Middle East Master Franchisee Abdullah Fouad Group directors Hamad Albuali and Sheikh Faisal. Photo / supplied

BurgerFuel will soon be available in Iraq after the New Zealand-listed company sold its first Master Franchise to the country in a bid to expand across the Middle East.

The company announced this morning its moved into Iraq - its fourth new territory for the Middle East.

The first Iraqi BurgerFuel will open in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdish speaking region of Northern Iraq.

BurgerFuel chief executive of international markets Chris Mason said the company was moving forward with its plans to open stores in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

'Whilst Iraq poses new challenges - it's another important region and we think early establishment will allow time for us to eventually open a number of restaurants there," Mason said.

BurgerFuel said the Iraqi consortium who have bought the rights for BurgerFuel Iraq also own 50 per cent of Iraq's North Bank financial institution as well as 50 per cent of Pepsi Iraq.

"With Pepsi being the dominant soft drink in Iraq, the consortium is looking forward to adding BurgerFuel to their stable of successful brands."

BurgerFuel worldwide chief executive Josef Roberts said the Iraqi partnership was "an interesting prospect with strong and established business partners" who had a good understanding of the BurgerFuel brand and local markets.

"We are interested in all global territories and we seek to take advantage of our non American - pure New Zealand positioning, wherever we can".

BurgerFuel Worldwide is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. and is part of the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise 'Beachheads' programme designed for high-growth New Zealand companies.

Other sites due to open soon in the Middle East will be located in the Dubai mall, UAE, and in the Al Shatea mall in Saudi Arabia.