The Middle Eastern food market in affluent countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain has an emphasis on quality over quantity. Consumers in this market prefer to spend extra to purchase food products they will enjoy consuming than more economical alternatives.
Here’s our roundup of the best food brands of the Middle East:
9. KFC
With more than 30 years of operation in the region, KFC is a household name for most Saudis – and for many others across the Middle East thanks to its aggressive advertising campaigns since its first opening.
KFC opened its first Middle Eastern branch in Kuwait in 1991 and has since expanded to over 70 locations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt. The brand is also popular with local consumers; according to a 2017 report by market research firm Euromonitor International that ranked global fast-food chains based on their popularity among millennials (aged 18 – 34), Yum! Brands’ Kentucky Fried Chicken came out as the fifth most popular burger chain worldwide. Its nearest competitor was McDonald’s at number 33 on the list.
With a large menu including chicken dishes as well as sides like mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw or corn on the cob; desserts such as banana splits; Pepsi products; plus Coca-Cola products available all day long at affordable prices (as much $12), there isn’t really any reason why you should try anything else if you find yourself near an outlet.
Walk past three branches on 699 Road that link up Jeddah to Riyadh along Highway 40 coming from either direction —Jeddah itself has four outlets—and just order whatever strikes your fancy when you get inside: their friendly staff will be happy to make suggestions based on what they know about previous customers.
8. Mondelez International
Mondelez International is the world’s largest chocolate maker, and its brands include Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka, Toblerone, and Oreo. Among these are some of the biggest food brands in the Middle East. The company has been operating in Egypt since 1998 with a factory that produces biscuits and chocolates for local consumption as well as exports to Europe.
It also operates factories in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia which produce biscuits for local consumption. In 2012 it established a joint-venture with Al Dahra Food Industries, a Kuwaiti company that produces snack foods such as chips under license from Mondelēz International’s Frito Lay brand. The two companies have since built an $80 million plant near Riyadh that will be operated by ADFI but owned by Mondelēz International.
7. Knorr
A brand that’s synonymous with all things culinary, Knorr has been part of our lives for over a century thanks to its instant soups (and various other dishes). Headquartered in Germany, this global brand was bought out by Unilever back in 2000 for £3 billion ($4 billion), which resulted in Knorr being produced under several different labels across the Middle East including Lipton’s tea bags and Pot Noodle noodles.
6. Kellogg’s
Kellogg’s is the undisputed leader of the cereal industry in the Middle East. It has more than 20% market share and five out of every six households buy its products on a regular basis. The company also owns brands like Nutri-Grain, Frosties, and Corn Flakes that are distributed to supermarkets across the region.
Kellogg’s was founded in 1906 by Will Keith Kellogg and his brother, John Harvey Kellogg. It is now the second-largest cereal company in the world after General Mills. In 2003, it acquired Keebler Foods for $3 billion to become a global player in the snacks business as well. With revenues of more than $14 billion each year, Kellogg’s is also one of the largest food companies on earth.
5. Starbucks Coffee
Starbucks Coffee first opened its doors in 1999 with just one branch in Dubai and now we have more than 200 branches across 15 countries including UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. The brand’s signature coffee menu is pretty much unchanged over the years but their food options are on the rise with a range of sandwiches, salads, pastries, and other desserts like cakes available for sale at most stores. Obviously, this franchise has done well to grab its share of customers – enough so that they can open new outlets around the region every year.
4. Domino’s Pizza
Domino’s Pizza has been operating in the Middle East since 2004, starting with a branch in Kuwait and now growing to more than 200 branches across 14 countries – from Bahrain to Syria.
Their menu is similar to Pizza Hut but they also offer side dishes like garlic bread or potato wedges as well as desserts like ‘Chocolate Lava Cake’. It seems that Domino’s Pizza has grown into one of the most successful Western fast-food chains around the Arab world.
3. Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut first opened its doors in the Middle East back in 1985 when they had only six restaurants in the region – today they have grown to over 550 branches across 15 countries including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Perhaps not surprisingly Pizza Hut has grown into one of the most successful Western fast-food chains around the Arab world.
2. PepsiCo
PepsiCo is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, with an estimated $62bn in sales. It operates as a subsidiary of PepsiCo Inc., which owns other brands including Quaker Oats Co., Capri Sun Juice Drinks and Tropicana Products Inc., Frito-Lay North America, Cheetos Brand Cheese Flavored Snacks (The Americas), and Walkers Crisps Ltd (UK). Also worth mentioning are its meat products that it sells under the brand Sabra Dipping Company LLC (USA), while it also has a number of joint ventures across the Middle East including Elma Food Industries for confectionery in Egypt, KSA Capital for carbonated beverages in Saudi Arabia and Al Noor Beverages for non-alcoholic beverages.
1. Nestlé
With an estimated $9bn in sales, the Nestlé Group is one of the most successful food companies in the world and produces a wide range of products including chocolate confectionery, breakfast cereals like Nesquik, and coffee. The company started off with just one product – condensed milk – but has now developed into a global producer. Its regional headquarters are located in Saudi Arabia while it also operates factories in Egypt and Lebanon.
That’s all for our roundup of the best food brands in the Middle East. If you have any questions about our findings or would like to share your thoughts on the Middle East food industry, please get in touch.