Disruptive Restaurant Group, a subsidiary of US-based hospitality company sbe, has announced the expansion of its Mediterranean restaurant, Cleo, to the Middle East in partnership with leading international franchise operator M H Alshaya.

Fifteen Cleo locations will come to market starting 2017 in sought-after Middle East destinations including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and Kuwait.

"This latest announcement marks a major milestone for Disruptive Restaurant Group, our recently launched subsidiary that has made a quick ascent in the F&B industry," said Sam Nazarian, sbe founder and CEO. "We are delighted at this rapid expansion of one of our most popular restaurant brands and look forward to bringing Cleo to a global audience."

The global plans follow Disruptive Restaurant Group's successful partnership with M H Alshaya on the expansion of Los Angeles-based Katsuya in the Middle East, another award-winning Disruptive Restaurant Group brand. Katsuya opened two locations in Kuwait in 2014. Six more Katsuya locations are scheduled to open by 2017 in Doha, Dubai and Cairo.

"Our growth abroad showcases our ability to develop relevant culinary concepts with strategic partners that have the power to become global mainstays," said John Kolaski, president of Disruptive Restaurant Group.

Created by acclaimed culinary partner Chef Danny Elmaleh, Cleo's cuisine is drawn from a variety of influences and showcases a modern twist on the ingredients and cultures of the eastern and southern Mediterranean.

Disruptive Restaurant Group currently operates three Cleo restaurants at The Redbury Hollywood, SLS Las Vegas and The Redbury South Beach hotels. A fourth location, Cleo's first standalone restaurant, opened this fall in LA LIVE, a sports and entertainment district in downtown Los Angeles. In 2017, three more locations will open in New York, Chicago and the Bahamas. – TradeArabia News Service