It may have been pure coincidence, but when a Cinnabon opened up in post-Gaddafi Libya, many residents were skeptical about the timing of the American franchise’s arrival. Focus Brands, which owns the rights to Cinnabon, released a statement that said the restaurant had been in the works […]… (read more)

There are many things to learn from a company as successful as Starbucks, coffee-roasting being chiefly among them. But what caught our eye recently was something that had very little to do with the actual taste of their roasts…. (read more)

Elder-Marini Group announced today that it has signed a contract with Prime Time Group (PTG) to develop brand presence and staff training for PTG’s two new franchises in Jordan. Prime Time Group an American-Jordanian company that specializes in bringing European and North American franchises to the Middle […]… (read more)

Over the past few decades, the Middle East’s well-publicized growth has brought foreign investment and an influx of international brands to a quickly growing population of middle and upper class consumers. These demographics responded especially strongly to the luxury market, an industry that currently enjoys strong global […]… (read more)

The Middle East is rife with the entrepreneurial spirit, but as a recent New York Times DealBook article makes clear, the region’s culture and politics present unique hurdles for small businesses of all industries. How does a new business owner make the right decisions in order to […]… (read more)