Boston Market CEO George Michel, known as The Big Chicken, recently signed a deal with Kuwait’s Al-Ghunaim Trading Co. Ltd. to bring the successful eatery to the Middle East with 25 to 30 branches planned initially for Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan.
The company that began as Boston Chicken has just passed its 30-year mark in business, dishing up fresh, hormone-free rotisserie chicken among its many selections.
“Boston Market introduced America to a totally fresh concept in home-style, fast casual dining … and now that story will begin again in seven overseas markets,” Michel said.
Shuwaikh-based Al-Ghunaim Trading Co. Ltd., established in its present form by three brothers in 1978, has deep roots in Kuwait, with its owners tracing their lineage to 18th century traders and merchants. Today, the business deals in hospitality ventures, eateries, other culinary businesses and real estate. Additionally, it was recently designated as a top company positively affecting Kuwait by Forbes Middle East.
“We anticipate a strong consumer response to the Boston Market concept,” Al-Ghunaim CEO Abdulghani Al-Ghunaim said. “There is no restaurant concept like Boston Market in the Middle East and the quality and taste will result in loyal customers.”
Michel originally adopted the nickname of The Big Chicken to appear less intimidating to his many employees, and it proved so popular that he now uses it regularly.
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