Cheesecake Factory CEO reveals MidEast expansion

The Cheesecake Factory CEO David Overton has revealed plans to expand into Abu Dhabi and Qatar "soon".  

In an exclusive interview with Caterer Middle East at the opening of the world’s largest The Cheesecake Factory in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, Overton said the Alshaya group, which operates the brand in the Middle East, was working on expansion plans.

“Alshaya does have plans, we’ll be going to Abu Dhabi, we’ll be going to Qatar, we’ll be going to Beirut, and they have other plans as well, so I think there’ s going to be a lot of growth with them.”

Overton added that demand for American brands in the region was "very ripe" and "growing".