International Expansion News
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Gap, Pennsylvania-Auntie Anne's Inc. has announcedthe completion of development agreements for Saudi Arabia, theUnited Arab Emirates and South Korea. The Fahad A. Al-Rajhi Co.holds the rights to own and operate locations within Saudi Arabiaand plans to open approximately 20 locations over the next fiveyears. Dynasty Foods Enterprises plans to open more than 20locations in the United Arab Emirates over the next five years andalso holds the rights for Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt.Jaewon Foods plans to open 30 stores in South Korea over the nextfive years. -Auntie Anne's Inc.
Minneapolis-International Dairy Queen Corp. established anew entity to better serve its international franchisees and enablefuture expansion outside the United States.
DQ Overseas Corp., a subsidiary of the parent company'sfranchising unit, American Dairy Queen Corp, will allow thefranchisor of Dairy Queen, Karmelkorn and Orange Julius restaurantsto provide individualized attention overseas, says Dean Peters ofAmerican Dairy Queen.
Though incorporated in Minnesota, the overseas entity allows forthe possibility of many smaller, regional offices throughout theworld. "It gives us the ability to have a corporate employeebased internationally," Peters says. "It at least allowsus to have somebody on site."
Plans are still in development, and the company has not yet seta timetable. It expects to have an executive in China within ayear, and is also considering establishing one-person offices inSingapore and Mexico. -CityBusiness
