UAE-based food chain Just Falafel has announced plans to open up to 160 outlets across the United States and Canada over the next five years, said a report.

Established in the year 2007, the firm is a pioneer and leader of the Falafel food franchise segment. It now operates 48 restaurants in 10 countries in the Middle East, UK and Turkey.

In a major move, Just Falafel has signed five franchise agreements with partners in locations including New York City, New Jersey, San Francisco and the Greater Toronto area, reported the National.

Just Falafel has achieved a reputation as one of the most successful UAE-based start-ups of recent years.

The company’s recent accolades include securing the top spot in the Dubai SME 100 for 2013, and being named Business of the Year at the Gulf Capital SMEinfo awards in November.

“Expanding in North America gives us the opportunity to capitalise on the growth of the world’s largest consumer market,” Fadi Malas, the chief executive of Just Falafel was quoted as saying in the report.  

The company also plans to launch a number of restaurants in Australia during the year, he added.

Just Falafel has hired the former Burger King executive Jim Joy as the chief executive of Just Green restaurants, Just Falafel’s exclusive developer for New York. Prior to joining Just Green, Joy managed sales operations at the US company.

The US expansion plan comes a year after Just Falafel opened its first restaurant in Western Europe, in London’s Covent Garden. The company will open its seventh British restaurant, in Romford, Essex, next week.

The company also announced the opening of its first outlet in Kuwait this week, as well as its second in Turkey.