Americana diversifies into Lebanese cuisine as profits rise

• Americana revenue up 14%
• Attributable profit $219m
• Licence to operate Malak Al Tawouk

Americana Restaurants said net earnings surged by more than a third last year, driven by new store openings.

The company has diversified into Arabic cuisine as part of its growth plan by acquiring Lebanese cuisine franchises in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. 

Americana, which trades on the Saudi and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges, said net profit attributable to shareholders rose to $219 million, up from $159 million in 2024.

Revenue rose 14 percent year on year to $2.5 billion, supported by an almost 10 percent improvement in like-for-like sales driven by continued menu innovation, strong brand collaborations and improved operations across key markets.

The company is the largest fast-food service operator in the Middle East and North Africa, with brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardee’s, Krispy Kreme, TGI Fridays and Peet’s Coffee. It opened 159 new stores last year and total stores reached  2,749 as of December 31, 2025.

“Expansion remained selective, with a focus on capital efficiency, payback discipline and high-return locations,” the statement said.

Capital expenditure reached $125 million, representing 5 percent of total revenues, including consideration paid to acquire the subsidiary operating Pizza Hut in Oman, as part of the company’s long-term growth strategy. 

Given the strong performance, the board intends to pay a $202 million cash dividend for 2025, subject to shareholder approval.

Americana expects continued momentum into 2026, supported by portfolio optimisation and expansion.

In a separate statement, the company said it entered into a long-term, exclusive licensing agreement to secure the rights to develop and operate Malak Al Tawouk, a Lebanese quick-service restaurant brand, in 13 markets across the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.

Americana also signed an agreement to acquire Malak Al Tawouk franchisees in the UAE (seven stores) and Saudi Arabia (three stores) for $21 million, to be funded from internal cash reserves.

“The acquisition of Malak Al Tawouk is the first decisive step in Americana Restaurants’ diversification into Arabic cuisine and a clear expression of our growth ambition,” said chairman Mohamed Alabbar.

The transaction of acquiring the franchisees is expected to be completed by the end of February.

Americana’s free cash flow – cash left after operating expenses and capital expenditure – stood at $209 million by the end of 2025.

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The company’s shares closed 2 percent higher on the ADX at AED1.63 on Friday, up almost 1 percent so far this year.

The stock closed 0.6 percent lower at SAR1.63 on the Saudi stock exchange on Sunday, almost 3 percent down year-to-date.

Americana was founded in Kuwait but now based in the UAE’s Sharjah emirate.