BurgerFuel in MENA

BurgerFuel’s expansion into the Middle East began in 2008 as the global financial crises hit and we began exploring interesting new markets.

Opening our first store in the Middle East, in Dammam, Saudi Arabia in typical BurgerFuel fashion, with a 71’ Lincoln Continental parked outside, and inside, a 200-seat dining room filled with Arabian customers eager to try New Zealand made burgers.

There were some cultural differences to honour and concessions to be made - the Bastard Burger had to be renamed, segregated dining was a thing, and music in-store was banned by authorities (so we kept it down). But no compromises were made on delivering the same flavour, quality and experience that you would get in an NZ store. We exported our own NZ beef and vege patties, batch brewed tomato relish, and Kūmara fries directly to the GCC, along with our most experienced operations crew, to train staff on delivering the ultimate experience in gourmet burgers.

The second store to open in Dubai followed and subsequently multiple stores across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, plus Egypt, Kuwait and Iraq. Marking an exciting period of international growth in the MENA region for a Kiwi burger brand from humble beginnings.

Today, Saudi locals can get their BurgerFuel fix via participating delivery partners, or in store at BurgerFuel Fanateer, Al Jubail, or BurgerFuel Amwaj Mall, Dhahran.

Dubai burger lovers can have BurgerFuel delivered to their door via a number of dark kitchens located around the city, check out the BurgerFuel Food Truck in the hospitality hub of Mirdif way, or dine in at BurgerFuel in the Dubai World Trade Centre and experience our distinctive, new-look concept store.