MH Alshaya Company, a leading retailer in region, has signed a development and licence agreement with PF Chang’s China Bistro, to develop restaurants throughout the Middle East.

Since it started in 1993 the fast-growing Chinese food chain has built a reputation in the United States for high-quality Asian food.

PF Chang’s appeal is a meal that aspires to a harmony of taste, texture, colour and aroma by balancing the Chinese principles of t’sai and fan. The fan foods include rice, noodles, grains and dumplings; vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood are t’sai foods, said a company official.

“We looked at a number of potential development partners in the Middle East and Alshaya is the best,” said Rick Federico, co-CEO and chairman of the board, PF Chang’s China Bistro.

“We are excited to be working with them to extend our wonderful dining experience to numerous Middle Eastern markets,” he added.

The first branch is scheduled to open by the end of 2009 in The Avenues Mall, Kuwait, and will be one of the biggest PF Chang’s in the world. The second outlet will be opened in Dubai during the first quarter of 2010.

The company is also planning to open branches in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan and Oman.

“We are delighted to partner with PF Chang’s China Bistro to develop their restaurants throughout the Middle East,” said Mohammed Alshaya, executive chairman of MH Alshaya Company.

“PF Chang’s offers delicious Asian-inspired cuisine in an energetic, up-tempo atmosphere and we believe we can use our expertise and local market knowledge to capitalise on their tremendous potential throughout the Middle East,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service