US fast food chain opens in Tripoli

By Hadi Fornaji.
Tripoli, 25 July:

Cinnabon, an American bakery franchise specialising in sweet cinnamon rolls, has opened its first Libyan branch in Tripoli.

Billing themselves as the first US brand to debut in the country, the company says the opening of the new Cinnabon and Carvel outlet signals that international businesses believe the new Libya offers serious commercial opportunities.

Selling a variety of sweet baked goods and speciality beverages, the international bakery also offers locally-made sandwiches, salads and bakery items, as well as cakes and pies imported from Italy.

Mike Shattuck, President of FOCUS Brands International, which handles overseas expansion for Cinnabon, as well as other leading US fast food chains, said: “ The guests love the overall experience at Cinnabon and they tell us they are enjoying the western flavours and unique hospitality.”
The store in Tripoli was developed by franchise partners Arief and Ahmed Swaidek and the planning, interrupted by the revolution, took over two years. The brothers intend to open another Cinnabon later this year and a further 10 stores over the next five years. They have also signed an agreement to bring two other U.S. fast food outlets, the ice cream store Carvel and Moe’s Southwest Grill, to Libya.

Cinnabon has more than 900 stores in 51 countries. International expansion is a top priority for the firm which is looking to expand, through franchise partners, across North Africa.

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