Marka, the first public joint stock retail operator in the UAE, has announced that it is opening the first Reem Al Bawadi outlet in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Khaled Al Mheiri, vice chairman and CEO of Marka, said: “We are delighted to be introducing Reem Al Bawadi’s authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and famed hospitality to the UAE capital.

“It is a milestone in our focused expansion efforts and represents the first in a number of exciting new openings that will follow within the year. We have undertaken four Reem Al Bawadi expansions over the past 18 months, which has grown the franchise to a total of twelve outlets across the GCC – an ambitious expansion strategy that reflects the strong consumer demand for this award-winning brand.”

The new restaurant brings Reem Al Bawadi’s family friendly dining experience to Dalma Mall – one of Abu Dhabi’s leading dining, retail and leisure destinations. Covering 4,920 sq ft, the restaurant offers a total capacity of 243 covers, with 111 seats inside and 132 seats located across two welcoming outdoor spaces.

The large terrace offers customers a hangout spot for enjoying delicious food and shisha, and the space is sure to become a popular destination also during the summer months, with plans to introduce a fully air conditioned atmosphere, a statement said.

The venue also features a multitude of TV screens and large screen projectors, allowing guests to catch-up over unmissable football games and the region’s favourite televised sporting events.

Al Mheiri added: “Consumers are increasingly looking for quality experiences from restaurants that can deliver consistently, and this explains the widespread success of Reem Al Bawadi. We have robust expansion plans for the restaurant in the UAE and the wider GCC region, and we look forward to bringing our customers new opportunities to enjoy their favourite food in Reem Al Bawadi’s uniquely welcoming atmosphere.”

The twelve existing Reem Al Bawadi restaurants are to be joined by two additional Dubai locations within the year: Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and Avenues Mall in Motor City. The restaurant is also participating at the Global Village this year, while Marka’s long-term strategy for the brand will see new franchises expanding further into Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, among other deals that are in the pipeline. – TradeArabia News Service