Rice Creamery, the UAE’s home-grown concept which was launched in 2013 by Glee Hospitality and offering the quintessential Arabian dessert – rice pudding, has announced new franchise partners in Saudi Arabia and Egypt as part of its expansion across the Gulf and Middle East.
The Company announced Food and Entertainment Company – a reputed name in Saudi Arabia engaged in the hospitality and entertainment sectors since 1975 – as franchise partners in the Kingdom. Rice Creamery’s old franchise partner Good Food Company has entered into a joint venture with Food and Entertainment Company, and this is expected to take Rice Creamery to the next level of success in KSA.
In Egypt, Rice Creamery has signed a franchise agreement with Ingredients Communications, represented by its chairman Zaik Abdelhameed in partnership with Dubai-based Entrepreneur Ammar Zawaideh.
The franchise agreements are part of the aggressive expansion of the Rice Creamery brand across the region, with spate of new openings planned in the coming months. Rice Creamery has carved a niche for itself since opening its first outlet at the Citywalk Development, Al Wasl Road in Dubai in October 2013 and has been steadily spreading its market presence ever since.
Abdul Kader Saadi, Managing Director at Glee Hospitality, said: “We are thrilled with our franchise agreements with Food and Entertainment Company in KSA and with Ingredients Communications in Egypt. Both are strategic growth markets for Rice Creamery; and we are confident that the brand will resonate with the demographic break-up in these countries. Plans are afoot to spread its unique offering across new markets in the region and beyond.”
Food and Entertainment Company is a trusted name in the hospitality and entertainment sector. In the last five decades, the Group’s portfolio includes 64 entertainment centers and 32 hotels spread across Saudi Arabia and UAE, including leading global brands. In total, the Group has over 3,800 rooms, luxury suites, villas, apartments and chalets and continues to develop its portfolio.
Rice Creamery has already opened its store in Riyadh in summer of 2015; and two new locations are currently in planning stage. The company plans to open 15 new stores in the Kingdom. In Egypt, Rice Creamery plans to open 8 new stores in the span of 5 years. The Company is opening its first outlet in Bahrain next week, with plans to open its second outlet in Kuwait soon, apart from the two in Dubai.
With over 35 options, the Rice Creamery menu offers diverse flavors and toppings, including orange blossom, peanut butter and kunafa as well as sweeter options such as white chocolate, red velvet and vanilla amongst many others. Decadent toppings include crushed Oreo cookies, cornflakes, almonds and toffee syrup.
A hearty homemade treat that has been served for generations, on every special occasion-birthdays, weddings and dinners, Rice Creamery uses the same basic rice and milk formula but then adds a whole range of flavors to it!