Shakey’s opens first of planned 10 stores in UAE

SHAKEY’S Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. has expanded its footprint in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE) with the opening of the first of 10 planned stores in Dubai.

The new Shakey’s branch is located across Burjuman Mall near Exit 4 of Burjuman Metro Station.

Firas Hurieh, chief executive officer of Aljeel Capital LLC, Shakey’s partner in the Middle East, said the group is committed to open nine more stores over the next five years.

“We are excited to have more stores in the UAE, with our flagship Dubai restaurant finally open and with the overwhelming turnout we had during opening night,” he said.

Hurieh said the store broke several Shakey’s records on opening day with the highest total net sales and the largest number of pre- sold loyalty program ‘ Supercards.’

And while everything on the menu is halal- certified, Shakey’s kept intact its trademark flavors with marinade, breading, dough blends, pizza mixes, chicken, and spaghetti all flown in from the Philippines.

“Dubai, UAE, and the rest of the Middle East are great markets for us. Aside from the strong and welcoming Filipino communities which really love the Shakey’s brand and are excited about experiencing it away from home, Shakey’s is also a Western concept with a Western menu, thus giving us tremendous growth opportunities within the mainstream markets there,” Shakey’s President and Chief Executive Officer Vic Gregorio said.

“We are confident in the success of our new markets and look forward to more partnerships as we continue to build a bigger and better Shakey’s,” he added.

As of the first quarter of the year, the company’s total store network stood at 212 stores domestically. The store in Dubai is its second international venture.

“With two area development agreements already signed up, Its total international pipeline is currently at least 20 outlets over the next few years,” the company said.

In April this year, the company announced it was planning to offer more brands other than Shakey’s.

Shakey’s shares ended up 4 centavos at P13.28 apiece on Tuesday.