BurgerFuel opens first store in Saudi Arabia

New Zealand gourmet burger chain Burger Fuel Worldwide Ltd has opened its first store in Saudi Arabia.

The 200-seat format store opened in Dammam this week. The opening of the store before the financial year ended in March 31 had been signalled by the NZAX-listed company.

The company previously reported a $296,253 loss in the six months to September 30 and said it had $1.4m of cash at that time and no debt.

"Our international model is all about licensing our brand and our systems and using local knowledge and capital by appointing a master licensee in each country," said managing director Chris Mason. Mr Mason opened the first BurgerFuel store on Ponsonby Road in Auckland in 1995.

"Our Arab partners, Abdullah Fouad, are big players who are highly respected. They own the shopping mall where our first store has been built," said Mr Mason.

BurgerFuel is exporting its own New Zealand beef patties, locally produced tomato relish, vegetarian society approved vege patties and kumara fries as part of the expansion.

BurgerFuel will receive on-going royalties from the stores.

A store located on the premium Jumeirah Beach in Dubai is expected to open in April.

The master licence agreement for the UAE has been granted to the Dubai-based Arabian company Alphamed Group.

- NZPA