Hotbrands opens three more outlets in India

Three of the concepts that have been opened in India represent HBI's flagship brand, Shamiana a quick service Indian restaurant chain; Magic Wok, serving modern Chinese cuisine; while the third, Santino's serves Italian pizzas and pastas. The new stores have increased the number of HBI outlets that operate in the booming fast food restaurant sector in India to 12. Currently there are nine more locations signed to open before March 2008 and final negotiations are going on for a further 21 locations which would open up by the end of 2008 across various regions in India.

Dubai-based HBI also plans to enter the Bahrain market for the first time, while further consolidating its presence in key target markets in the Middle East, India and South Africa, with particular focus on the KSA market, namely Jeddah and Riyadh.

HBI will step up its presence in the casual dining sector with outlets in new locations in Dubai while a further 30 HBI outlets will be opened over the next 18 months in Saudi Arabia under a partnership with top Saudi retailer, the Al Sawani Group. HBI also has a presence in other neighbouring countries including Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.