First El Chico Restaurant Opens in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

DALLAS, June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. John D. Harkey, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Restaurant Operations, Inc. (CRO) and Mr. Ali Al Sagri, Chief Operating and Commercial Officer of the Safari Group of Companies jointly announced the grand opening of the first El Chico restaurant in the city of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The original Tex-Mex restaurant brand established in 1940, El Chico offers Mexican cuisine in a simple, relaxed atmosphere.

Safari Group is a Saudi based group of companies with headquarters in Riyadh. Safari recently formed a new company, Unique Hospitality Company (UHC), a fully owned subsidiary of Safari Group. In order to realize the vision of the group's founder/Chairman Mr. Saleh Al Sagri, in attaining a leadership position in the restaurant segment of the Kingdom through the creation of a chain of boutique restaurants representing selected and exclusive global brands. This vision has been fueled by the passion of Mr. Ali Al Sagri, group COO. Ali aims to undertake this exciting challenge with the leadership of Mr. Talal Azhari, a veteran with 34 years experience in the operation and development of restaurant brands. The group will develop five El Chico restaurants across the Kingdom.

The El Chico brand is owned by CRO, a Dallas, Texas based company operating 117 restaurants. The CRO portfolio of brands includes Cantina Laredo, Cool River Cafe, Silver Fox, Good Eats, Lucky's and III Forks brands.

Mr. Harkey said, "US franchise concepts such as those under the CRO umbrella have attracted international franchise partners for three main reasons: strong brand identification, sophisticated distribution networks and well-defined, proven operating systems."

CRO has development agreements in place to build 100 restaurants over the next seven years including restaurants now operating in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Cairo.

Mr. Ali Sagri remarked, "UHC is the latest addition of the Safari group and is a result of the chairman's strategic decision of diversifying into specialized retail business that will stand out for their quality operation and unique products."

"We are honored to be selected by CRO group as the exclusive franchisee for the development and operation of El Chico in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," said General Manager Talal Azhari. "Our first opening will reflect our commitment to deliver the highest standard of food, quality and service for all our guests."  

SOURCE Consolidated Restaurant Operations, Inc