Healthy Growth in MENA F&B Franchising Sector Attracts Premium, Global Brands

DUBAI, UAE, October 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Sector's promising outlook and regional appetite for healthy eating draws London-based frozen yoghurt brand Sloane Bros. to ME Franchise Expo   

London-based Sloane Bros. Frozen Yoghurt Co. today announced its participation at the Middle East Franchise Expo - a two-day event set to serve up franchising opportunities during its run from October 21 to 22. Within the MENA region, franchising is considered a low-risk, highly successful model for expansion, especially the F&B franchising sector, which is geared for an annual growth rate of 7.4% over the next four years, as per research firm Euromonitor International. Last year, the sector grew at 4.3% and was worth an impressive USD 79.1 billion, making the MENA region's F&B franchising sector the second-fastest growing in the world after Asia-Pacific. Dubai further topped this by growing at 5.3% over 2014.

"Spurred by the emirate's business-friendly and efficient regulatory and legal environment, its favourable demographic profile, its high tourist density, as well as its culture of dining out, the F&B franchising sector in Dubai, and in the UAE as a whole, is seeing steady growth. The nation is also characterised by a discerning taste for high-quality products, making it an attractive market for premium, international F&B outlets looking to expand their business footprint into the region," commented Joe Chakra, the founder of Sloane Bros Frozen Yoghurt Co.

The Sloane Bros. frozen yoghurt brand addresses what it sees as a gap in the market and an unmet demand for premium British-sourced fat-free natural frozen yoghurt. The Sloane Bros. Frozen Yoghurt Co. is looking at bringing its offerings to the region, especially following the strong response the brand has received at its flagship outlet in London.

"We expect a similar reaction in the Middle East to the one we have received and continue to receive in the UK. The frozen yoghurt market has been enjoying tremendous growth in countries such as the US and the UK because of its fat-free or low fat content, and the option of pairing it with other healthy snacks such as fruits and granola. The health conscious faction of consumers in the UAE, and the MENA region as a whole, is definitely growing, and we believe such an environment would be a natural fit for a new premium, tasty, healthy, and innovative frozen yoghurt brand," added Chakra.

This claim is further validated by findings from Nielsen's latest Global Health & Wellness Survey Nielsen: Growing UAE Health Awareness Could Mean Big Business For Manufacturers: 83% of UAE-based respondents expressed they were willing to pay a premium for foods with healthy attributes, therefore translating healthy eating into a sizable opportunity for F&B players.

About The Sloane Bros. Frozen Yoghurt Co. 

London's newest independent and most indulgent frozen yoghurt parlour, The Sloane Bros Frozen Yoghurt Co., opened its doors on Brick Lane in London's trendy Shoreditch area in summer of 2015, proudly serving thick and creamy British-sourced fat-free frozen yoghurt, using only natural ingredients. Frozen yoghurt lovers can be as virtuous or extravagant as they like, with a choice of fat- free frozen yoghurts topped with sauces, fresh fruits, confectionary and crumbled classic British biscuits.

Sloane Bros Frozen Yoghurt delivers to its customers uncompromising British quality and taste in its frozen yoghurt, and offers an ever- changing selection of both contemporary and old-fashioned British biscuits and other toppings.

Sloane Bros aims to address what it sees as a genuine market demand, driven by an increasing appreciation for British quality, particularly in dairy products. The company not only emphasises provenance and quality, but also British tradition. As such, Sloane Bros, addresses a gap in the market for a frozen yoghurt brand that focuses on combining the British quality, taste, heritage and unique innovative spirit.

Sloane Bros was conceived from the inspiration of a bygone era, which embraced the independent producer, an appreciation for British quality and the style of the iconic quintessential British gentleman and his bowler hat. In order to achieve this, Sloane Bros has partnered with a number of carefully selected partners and independent producers to ensure that The Sloane Bros Frozen Yoghurt is the ultimate guilty pleasure which promises quality and indulgence served up with a genuine passion and an overriding sense of fun.

SLOANE BROS, the Hat and Swirl Logo, The Sloane Bros Frozen Yoghurt Co. and The Sloane Bros Frozen Yoghurt Co. roundel logo are trade marks and / or registered trade marks. All rights reserved.