Tampa-based restaurant chain continues international expansion

PDQ adds a second location in Kazakhstan; Cairo eatery coming soon.

By Business Observer Staff
| 1:20 p.m. March 17, 2022
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

Tampa-based PDQ has opened a second restaurant in Almaty, Kazakhstan. (Courtesy photo)

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

TAMPA — Quick-service restaurant chain PDQ has opened a second store in Kazakhstan and targeted Cairo for the next phase of its international expansion.

Courtesy. A PQ employee serves food at EIC's new restaurant in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Tampa-based PDQ signed a franchise agreement last year with Eastern Investment Co., headquartered in Dubai, that gives EIC the rights to own, operate and open PDQ restaurants across 40 countries in the Middle East and northern Africa. EIC’s first eatery debuted Sept. 30 at the Mega Center Mall in Almaty, Kazakhstan; however, it operates under the PQ (People for Quality) trademark, rather than PDQ, which stands for People Dedicated to Quality.

The new restaurant, according to a news release, is located at Mega Park Mall, also in Almaty.

“We are proud of the unparalleled support we have been receiving from our partners at the PDQ team, making us want to accelerate both a local and regional execution plan,” EIC President Ahmed Al Alfi states in the release.

EIC, the release states, has opened and operated more than 1,500 U.S. franchise restaurants in 15 counties.