Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures moving into UAE

Philippine pizza-parlor chain Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures (SPAVI) is expanding its overseas footprint with a move into the United Arab Emirates next year.

Through subsidiary Shakey’s Pizza Regional Foods, SPAVI has signed an area development agreement with Dubai-based Al Jeel Capital to build at least 10 Shakey’s Pizza outlets in the UAE over five years.

In Dubai, the first store is scheduled to open in the first half of next year.

It is the second international franchise granted by SPAVI, which owns perpetual rights to the Shakey’s brand for Asia (excluding Japan and Malaysia), Australia, China, the Middle East and Oceania. The new deal brings to 20 the number of outlets scheduled to open over the next few years. SPAVI last year signed an agreement to open at least 10 Shakey’s stores in Kuwait.

“Dubai, UAE and the rest of the Middle East are great markets for us – not only are there strong Filipino communities but also tremendous growth opportunities within the mainstream markets,” says SPAVI president Vic Gregorio.

Founded in California in 1954 and the first franchise pizza chain in the US, Shakey’s Pizza launched in the Philippines in 1975. As at the end of March, the group had 189 stores in the Philippines.

Shakey’s Asia Food Holdings, a company owned by the Po family’s Century Pacific Group, Arran Investments Private and the Prieto family, acquired 100 per cent interest in SPAVI in April last year. In October, SPAVI acquired 100 per cent ownership of Bakemasters, Shakey’s International and Golden Gourmet.