AWJ Investments, a fast-growing F&B (food and beverages) holding group, continues its expansion into the Saudi market with five new openings in the first half of 2020.

The company behind famous F&B brands Operation: Falafel, Catch22 and Awani is recognised as the biggest homegrown success story in the sector within the UAE.

The continued growth in Saudi Arabia comes following the company’s established success in the Kingdom’s capital city Riyadh with openings in The Zone mall with Catch22 and Awani as well as Operation: Falafel in Rubeen Plaza. Expanding the reach of the much-loved Operation: Falafel concept, AWJ Investments is also working with local franchisees in the Eastern province for their restaurants in Dammam and Dhahran, it stated.

On its expansion plans, AWJ Investments said Catch22 will be the group’s first restaurant in Jeddah and is due to open in February 2020, followed by Falafel in early April and Awani later in 2020.

Additionally, AWJ Investments will develop two more Falafel chain offerings at Ajdan Walk, Al Khobar and Alia Plaza, Riyadh in the second quarter.

"Since the inception of AWJ Investments, our goal has been to build a solid home-grown brand and then take it to new markets," said a company spokesman.

"In Saudi Arabia, so far we have seen a 25% like for like growth in 2019 versus 2018. In line with Saudi 2030 Vision to expand and diversify its economy, we are championing recreation lures with the expansion of Falafel, Catch 22, and Awani in the kingdom," he added.-TradeArabia News Service