Middle East market sizzles for Outback

TAMPA — Bloomin' Brands is expanding its presence in the Middle East.

The Tampa-based company, in a statement, says it plans to develop 26 Outback Steakhouse and Abbraccio locations in the Middle East over the next five years. Abbraccio is the brand name for Carrabba's Italian Grill outside of the United States.

One agreement, with Snasco Trading Co., will add eight Outback locations and seven Abbraccio restaurants to Snasco's five current Outback Steakhouse restaurants in Saudi Arabia. The new locations will be built in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, according to the release. In a second agreement, Al Majid Jawad committed to opening 11 Outback Steakhouse restaurants in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. Jawad currently operates an Outback Steakhouse in Qatar.

“Accelerating international development is one of the platforms we have identified for long-term sustainable growth,” Bloomin' Brands CEO Liz Smith says in the release. “These trusted business partners have appreciated the global portability of our brands, and we look forward to their continued expansion.”

Bloomin' Brands operates four founder-inspired brands: Outback, Carrabba's, Bonefish Grill and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. It owns and operates approximately 1,500 restaurants in 48 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and 22 countries.