Americana Restaurants expands with Malak Al Tawouk deal
It secures 75-year exclusive rights to operate the chain across 13 markets.
Americana Restaurants (AMR) announced that it will add Malak Al Tawouk (MAT) to its portfolio through two separate agreements.
AMR has signed a long-term licensing deal giving it exclusive rights to develop and operate the MAT brand for 75 years across 13 markets, including the GCC, Levant, North Africa, and Central Asia.
At the same time, AMR has agreed to acquire all shares in the existing MAT franchisees in the UAE (7 stores) and Saudi Arabia (3 stores) for $20.8m, with the purchase funded from internal cash reserves.
The acquisition is expected to close by the end of February 2026, pending standard approvals.
After the transactions, AMR plans to integrate the MAT operations and expand the brand regionally.
MAT represents AMR’s entry into the Arabic fast-food segment, one of the region’s fastest-growing categories.
MAT, a family-owned Lebanese quick-service restaurant brand, was founded in Beirut in 1996.
Known for its signature Tawouk sandwich, it operates over 45 restaurants in Lebanon and 19 across the Middle East and also has locations in France and Canada.
