Retail Food Group Limited (RFG) has signed joint ventures with UAE-based Al Hathboor Group and HKO Group, to accelerate brand system expansion in the Gulf and establish a coffee enterprise throughout the MENA region.
RFG, headquartered in Australia, is owner of brand systems for Gloria Jean’s Coffees, The Coffee Guy, bb’s Café, Esquires, It’s a Grind and Cafe2U among others.
The company’s managing director Andre Nell said: “The joint ventures provide RFG the opportunity to grow a substantial commercial coffee enterprise throughout the MENA region, whilst enabling the group to more efficiently service and grow brand system franchise networks in the Gulf.
“We are honoured to partner with both the Al Hathboor Group and the HKO Group, and look forward to establishing a long and successful working relationship with them.”
Under the agreements, RFG will maintain a 50% interest in the joint ventures and existing Middle East brand system royalty and coffee income streams.
The remaining 50% interest will be divided equally between its joint venture partners.
Hamad Khalaf Al Otaiba, a representative of HKO Group, which has focus areas including food and beverage retail franchising and manufacturing, added: “We are positive RFG’s brand systems will appeal to consumers in the region, and consider that the joint ventures represent an exciting opportunity to build upon the strong regional footprint already created by RFG, whilst also tapping into the ever-growing demand for high quality coffee products. We look forward to working with RFG and the Al Hathboor Group to ensure the success of these ventures.”
Mohammed Abdulla Al Hathboor of Al Hathboor Group, which offers bakery, warehousing and distribution solutions, commented: “Within the Middle East, there is an increasing demand for quality in terms of products and service.
“I am confident that Retail Food Group’s brands, product offering, systems, and expertise will be received very positively in the Middle East marketplace, and we are excited by the opportunity these ventures present.”.
In addition to owning a number of brand systems, RFG is a wholesale coffee roaster supplying existing brand systems and third-party accounts under the Di Bella Coffee, Evolution Coffee Roasters Group and Roasting Australia coffee manufacturing brands.
It also specialises in foodservice, dairy processing and wholesale bakery pursuits, operating the Hudson Pacific Foodservice, Dairy Country, Bakery Fresh, and Associated Food Service businesses.
