Smashburger's Partners To Open Stores In Mideast

DENVER (AP) -- Denver-based Smashburger says it has found two franchise partners to open restaurants in Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with the first locations expected to open over the next year.

The locations represent the company's first expansion outside the U.S.

Smashburger said Wednesday it is working with the Bahrain-based commercial development firm Georgetown Advisors to open six Smashburger locations in Kuwait and three in Bahrain. It is partnering with the Al Musbah Group to open eight airport locations in Saudi Arabia. The Al Musbah Group also operates stores for other brands including Cinnabon.

Smashburger CEO Dave Prokupek says Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia provide markets with strong appetites for restaurant concepts successful in the United States. The company also is looking to open locations in Canada and the United Kingdom.

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