Hakaya Collection, a subsidiary of RAK Hospitality Holding (RAKHH) has signed a franchise development agreement with American grill and sushi bar brand, Kona Grill to roll out six restaurants in the UAE.
Kona Grill will join Hakaya’s collection of Ras Al Khaimah restaurants, including Marina Muse Bar and Restaurant, Motor Mouth Food Truck, The Bay Sports Bar, Yansoon and Pesto.
The restaurants are to be developed over a seven-year period.
Commenting on the agreement, Yannis Anagnostakis, chief executive officer of RAKHH, said: “We are excited to partner with Kona Grill because of their unique concept, which we believe will meet the increasing demand for premier casual dining concepts in the UAE.
“We are confident that Kona Grill will be well-received in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and we look forward to working with our new partners on successfully launching this brand.”
Kona Grill owns and operates 37 restaurants across 19 American states, and Puerto Rico. The menu features contemporary American items, sushi and cocktails.
In the US, Kona Grill restaurants are located in high-activity areas such as retail centres, shopping malls, urban entertainment districts and lifestyle centres.
Berke Bakay, president and CEO at Kona Grill, said: “We are pleased to partner with Hakaya and RAKHH for the development of six Kona Grill restaurants.
“Their vast experience in hotels and restaurants makes them the right partner to build our brand in the UAE. The signing of this agreement marks another milestone in our international strategy and follows the Mexico development agreement signed earlier this year.”
Established in 2014 by the government of Ras Al Khaimah, RAK Hospitality Holding LLC was formed with a mandate to consolidate and asset manage a portfolio of government owned hotels, hospitality and leisure assets.
RAKHH’s subsidiaries include RAK National Hotels, which owns hotel assets in Ras Al Khaimah including Hilton Resort and Spa and Rixos Bab Al Bahr; RAK Hospitality Logistics, and Hakaya Collection.
