Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes is based in Plano. [Photo: MOOYAH]

Plano-based Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes recently signed a master franchise license agreement with Great USA Foods LLC to expand its footprint in the United Arab Emirates. The deal calls for locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the near future, with broader expansion across the market in the coming years.

According to the company’s website, MOOYAH, founded in 2007 in Plano, currently operates 75 units across the U.S. and two in Oman, two in Qatar and one in Bahrain. Great USA Foods LLC, led by partners Nizar Shalwani and Roma Subazali, was founded in Mesquite last year, according to state business filings. Shalwani was a Golden Chick franchisee from 2008 to 2024, operating five locations.

“We are honored and excited to join the MOOYAH team and take on the role as a master franchisee in the UAE,” Shalwani said in a statement. “The brand offers exceptional products that we look forward to sharing with residents and visitors in these new markets.”

The UAE offers a robust market with a strong local consumer audience that will be drawn to MOOYAH’s menu of burgers made with fresh ingredients, hand-cut french fries and hand-spun shakes, the companies said in an announcement. The high number of tourists and spending trends also contribute to the team’s interest in opening restaurants in the area, the companies said.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Great USA Foods team to expand our presence to the UAE,” said Michael Meche, president of MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes. “They have an impressive proven track record of growing brands, notably in Texas for the past 20 years. Their business acumen and dedication to expand internationally will help drive our success in this emerging market.”

With a franchise-focused approach, MOOYAH said it continues to expand its footprint by “empowering passionate entrepreneurs with comprehensive training, operational support, and innovative marketing resources.” MOOYAH has been named to Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers list and Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, and received Franchise Update Media’s 2024 Franchise Innovation Award.

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