Ashtons Legal client Harry Ramsden’s expand to the Middle East

Posted 14/08/2014

Ashtons Legal client Harry Ramsden’s has granted its first international franchise in over a decade.

The iconic British brand, which has been serving its world famous fish and chips to generations of families for over 85 years, has awarded a franchise to the Ahmed Hassan Bilal Trading and Contracting Company, (AHB), a well-known Qatari business operating in the hospitality sector.

Under the terms of the agreement, five new outlets are set to open across Qatar within the next five years. AHB confirmed the first opening will take place in early 2015 at The Pearl, the Riviera-style man-made island developed in an exclusive environment in Doha, which is widely acknowledged as one of the Middle East’s most glamorous addresses.

This latest agreement is the brand’s fourth major franchise signing in just nine months. In October 2013 it was announced that Harry Ramsden’s would return to the roots of its eponymous founder, with the signing of a franchise agreement which will lead to 50 new outlets opening in Yorkshire and create up to 500 jobs within five years. More recently, franchise agreements to open 50 outlets in Scotland and 10 within the southern half of West Sussex, have also been signed.

Joe Teixeira, CEO of Harry Ramsden’s said: “This is a hugely significant step in our ambitions to both re-position and re-invigorate the Harry Ramsden’s brand.

“Fish and chips are arguably the UK’s favourite takeaway, selling over 255 million portions each year; however the international appeal of the dish cannot be underestimated.”

Teixeira added: “We greatly appreciate the assistance given by the team at Ashtons Legal in helping us get this important first stage of our international expansion in place”.