El Jannah eyes homecoming to Middle East with fresh capital
This comes after it received a financial investment from General Atlantic.
Australian charcoal chicken chain has plans to expand internationally, potentially launching in the Middle East sometime soon after it recently received fresh funding from private equity firm General Atlantic.
“Our partnership with GA means we can explore selective international expansion for the first time, including the possibility of exporting our unique Australian-Middle Eastern flavour profile back to the Middle East, and into other high-potential markets,” Brett Houldin, CEO of El Jannah, said.
Following the announcement of the funding, El Jannah said it plans to reach 200 restaurants in the next few years, with 25 already planned in the next 12 months.
El Jannah is an Australian quick-service restaurant chain founded in 1998 in the western Sydney suburb of Granville by Lebanese migrants Andre and Carole Estephan, built around Lebanese-style charcoal chicken and a cult garlic sauce. Today it operates about 50 outlets across New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, offering halal-friendly charcoal and fried chicken, burgers, wraps, salads and sides that sit between traditional Lebanese street food and mainstream fast food.
