Alshaya Group

Alshaya Group, also known as M.H. Alshaya Co., is a Kuwait-headquartered multinational franchise operator and diversified business group. Its core activity is the development and operation of international consumer brands in markets where it holds franchise, licensing, partnership or related operating rights. The group manages retail stores, restaurants, cafés, beauty businesses and leisure concepts across the Middle East and North Africa, Turkey, Russia and parts of Europe. Its portfolio has included Starbucks, H&M, Mothercare, The Body Shop, Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle, Shake Shack, The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, Pinkberry, Raising Cane’s, Boots, KidZania and other international names. The company traces its commercial origins to 1890, when M.H. Alshaya Co. was established in Kuwait as a shipping and trading business with links to British India and regional markets including Saudi Arabia. Over time, it diversified into hospitality, real estate, construction, automotive activities and general trading. The group’s modern identity was shaped particularly by its expansion into franchising. Its acquisition of Kuwait rights for Mothercare in 1983 created an early platform for international brand operations, while the 1999 Starbucks partnership marked a significant move into food and beverage. Subsequent agreements brought fashion, beauty, restaurant, entertainment and hospitality concepts to the region. Alshaya’s operating model is primarily that of a regional market-entry partner rather than a single-product consumer brand. It adapts international concepts to local regulatory, property, staffing and consumer environments while managing stores, restaurants, supply chains, marketing and customer service. Its portfolio has covered mass-market and premium fashion, department-store retail, cosmetics, pharmacies, cafés, casual dining, fast food, hotels, fitness and family entertainment. The group has also developed support capabilities in training, technology and food-service equipment distribution. Important growth stages included expansion into Turkey through Topshop in 2002, entry into Russia through Mothercare rights in 2005, and the launch of H&M in the Middle East in 2006. The group continued adding American, British, Scandinavian, French and other international concepts during the 2000s and 2010s. It also developed major property and hospitality assets in Kuwait, including Burj Alshaya and hotel operations. In the 2020s, Alshaya expanded its digital loyalty proposition through Aura, introduced locally developed concepts, added Chipotle as a Middle East franchise partner and opened the region’s first Chipotle restaurant in Kuwait in 2024. Alshaya remains a private group. Publicly verifiable material supplied for this dossier does not establish a current chief executive, detailed ownership breakdown or consolidated financial figures. Its overall scale is generally described through its broad brand portfolio and multinational operating network rather than publicly disclosed listed-company reporting.

Alshaya Group’s history begins with M.H. Alshaya Co., established in Kuwait in 1890. The original business operated as a shipping and trading company and developed commercial links between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and British India. This early trading foundation later supported diversification into several industries, although the group’s best-known modern role is as a regional operator of international consumer brands. A notable early diversification occurred in 1965, when the company opened a Sheraton hotel in Kuwait City. It was described as the first Sheraton property outside North America and established a continuing connection between Alshaya and hospitality. The group subsequently developed interests spanning real estate, construction, hotels, automotive activities and general trading, alongside its consumer-facing operations. The decisive shift toward franchise retail began in 1983, when Alshaya acquired the Kuwait franchise rights for Mothercare, the British retailer specializing in maternity, baby and children’s products. This provided experience in importing, localizing and operating an international retail concept. In 1997, Alshaya became involved in the Middle Eastern development of Debenhams, which later expanded across Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Qatar. The regional Debenhams business continued after the British chain entered administration and its assets were acquired by Boohoo, although the remaining stores were later reported to have closed in 2025. In 1999, Alshaya entered the food and beverage sector through a partnership with Starbucks. The move broadened the group beyond fashion and specialty retail and created a foundation for a large restaurant and café portfolio. In 2002, the acquisition of Topshop franchise rights in Turkey represented Alshaya’s first expansion outside the Middle East. The group entered Russia in 2005 through Mothercare franchise rights, demonstrating that its operating model could extend beyond its core regional markets. Alshaya accelerated its Middle Eastern brand development during the 2000s. H&M was introduced to the Middle East in 2006, followed by brands such as Dean & DeLuca, P.F. Chang’s, Pinkberry and Payless ShoeSource. American Eagle joined the portfolio in 2010. The group also secured rights for Texas Roadhouse and opened Victoria’s Secret Beauty and Accessories stores in Bahrain and Kuwait. In 2012, The Cheesecake Factory opened its first restaurant outside North America in the United Arab Emirates, while further additions included Harvey Nichols Kuwait, Victoria’s Secret, Jack Wills and COS. The group invested in training and organizational infrastructure as its store network expanded. In December 2012 it opened the Alshaya Retail Academy in Riyadh to provide retail training and employment opportunities for young Saudi women. Additional academies in Jeddah and Dammam were announced in 2014. Alshaya also moved into leisure and entertainment with KidZania Kuwait at The Avenues in 2013. That year saw further launches and expansions involving Muji, Katsuya by Philippe Starck and several restaurant brands in Saudi Arabia, including The Cheesecake Factory, Texas Roadhouse, Shake Shack, P.F. Chang’s and PizzaExpress. During the second half of the 2010s, the portfolio continued to diversify. Raising Cane’s entered the Middle East through Kuwait in 2015. Alshaya launched the Privileges Club loyalty program in Kuwait in 2016, with an intended rollout across Gulf markets. In 2017, regional introductions included Bouchon Bakery, Charlotte Tilbury, NYX Cosmetics, 400 Gradi and & Other Stories. The company also opened Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya in Kuwait City; the development included the hotel, corporate offices and commercial space. Other 2017 launches included Monki, Blaze Pizza, TekZone and Dr. Vranjes Firenze. In 2019, Alshaya introduced the Kuwaiti restaurant concept Amiti Noura and opened alice + olivia in Kuwait. It also entered a partnership with Hilton concerning the planned development of Hampton by Hilton hotels in nine countries across the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Russia. An agreement with Equinox Group was announced later that year to develop Equinox, SoulCycle and Blink Fitness concepts in the region. The group introduced Princi, the café and bakery concept, to Kuwait in 2020. The 2020s brought both contraction and expansion. In March 2022, Alshaya temporarily closed its Russian stores, including operations for Starbucks, Mothercare, The Body Shop and Victoria’s Secret. The company also introduced UAE-developed home and children’s concepts Tribe of 6 and Cheekee Munkee, launched the Aura loyalty program in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and became the authorized master distributor for Thermoplan coffee equipment through Alshaya Technical. A customer experience center associated with that relationship opened in 2023. In 2023, Alshaya opened the first Shake Shack drive-through outside the United States in the UAE and agreed to become Chipotle’s first franchise partner in the Middle East. The first regional Chipotle restaurant opened at The Avenues in Kuwait in April 2024. In May 2024, Hampton by Hilton Kuwait Salmiya opened with 110 rooms. These developments illustrate Alshaya’s continuing strategy of combining international brand partnerships with local market execution, property development, training, loyalty programs and technical operating capabilities.

1. 2024First Middle Eastern Chipotle opened

   Alshaya opened Chipotle’s first Middle Eastern restaurant at The Avenues in Kuwait.

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2. 2023Chipotle franchise agreement signed

   Alshaya became Chipotle’s first franchise partner in the Middle East.

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3. 2022Russian stores temporarily closed

   Alshaya suspended store operations for several brands in Russia.

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4. 2019Hilton hotel development partnership announced

   Alshaya and Hilton announced plans involving 70 Hampton by Hilton hotels across nine countries.

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5. 2017Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya opened

   The hotel opened within the Burj Alshaya development, which also houses Alshaya corporate offices.

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6. 2016Privileges Club launched

   The group introduced a Kuwait loyalty program intended for later expansion across Gulf markets.

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7. 2013KidZania Kuwait opened

   Alshaya entered leisure and entertainment with KidZania Kuwait at The Avenues.

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8. 2012The Cheesecake Factory entered the region

   The first Cheesecake Factory restaurant outside North America opened in the United Arab Emirates.

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9. 2012Alshaya Retail Academy opened in Riyadh

   The academy was created to provide retail training and employment pathways for young Saudi women.

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10. 2006H&M launched in the Middle East

    Alshaya introduced H&M to Middle Eastern markets.

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11. 2005Entry into Russia

    Alshaya entered Russia through Mothercare franchise rights.

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12. 2002Expansion into Turkey

    The Topshop franchise in Turkey became Alshaya’s first expansion outside the Middle East.

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13. 1999Starbucks partnership established

    Alshaya entered food and beverage through a partnership to operate Starbucks in its markets.

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14. 1983Mothercare franchise rights acquired

    The group acquired Kuwait franchise rights for Mothercare, beginning its modern franchise-retail expansion.

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15. 1965First Sheraton hotel outside North America

    Alshaya opened a Sheraton hotel in Kuwait City, marking an early diversification into hospitality.

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16. 1890M.H. Alshaya Co. established in Kuwait

    The company began as a Kuwait-based shipping and trading business with commercial links to Saudi Arabia, India and British India.

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A major Middle Eastern franchise, licensing and retail operating partner for international consumer brands.

• StarbucksCoffee and food service1999

  An international coffeehouse business operated by Alshaya in selected markets since the group’s 1999 partnership. Alshaya manages local cafés, staffing, customer experience and market development rather than owning the global Starbucks brand.

• H&MFashion retail2006

  A mass-market fashion retail operation introduced by Alshaya to the Middle East in 2006. The business provides apparel, accessories and related merchandise through local stores and associated retail channels.

• MothercareChildren’s retail1983

  A maternity, baby and children’s retail brand whose Kuwait franchise rights Alshaya acquired in 1983. Mothercare also served as the group’s route into Russia in 2005 through Russian franchise rights.

• The Cheesecake FactoryCasual dining2012

  An American casual-dining restaurant operated by Alshaya in selected Middle Eastern markets. Its first location outside North America opened in the UAE in 2012, and the concept later expanded to other regional markets.

• Shake ShackFast casual dining

  A fast-casual restaurant brand developed by Alshaya in regional markets. In 2023 the group unveiled the first Shake Shack drive-through outside the United States in the UAE.

• The Body ShopBeauty and personal care

  An international beauty and personal-care business operated by Alshaya in selected territories through retail locations and related customer channels.

• Victoria’s SecretBeauty and specialty retail2010

  A U.S. specialty retail brand represented by Alshaya in selected markets, including beauty and accessories stores first opened in Bahrain and Kuwait in 2010.

• ChipotleFast casual dining2024

  A Mexican-inspired fast-casual restaurant brand for which Alshaya became the first Middle East franchise partner. The first regional restaurant opened at The Avenues in Kuwait in 2024.

• KidZania KuwaitFamily entertainment2013

  An educational family-entertainment concept operated by Alshaya at The Avenues in Kuwait. Its opening in 2013 marked the group’s move into leisure and entertainment.

• Hampton by Hilton Kuwait SalmiyaHospitality2024

  A 110-room hotel opened in Kuwait in May 2024 under Alshaya’s hospitality partnership with Hilton. It extended the group’s hotel development activity into its home market.

• 2023Chipotle Middle East franchise agreementProduct launch

  Chipotle had not previously used a franchise partner in the Middle East, while Alshaya had an established network for introducing international restaurant brands.

  What changed. Alshaya signed an agreement to become Chipotle’s first franchise partner in the Middle East and began development of regional restaurants.

  Aftermath. The first Middle Eastern Chipotle restaurant opened at The Avenues in Kuwait in April 2024.

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• 2022Temporary suspension of Russian store operationsStrategy

  Alshaya operated several international brands in Russia, including Starbucks, Mothercare, The Body Shop and Victoria’s Secret. The business environment changed sharply after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of international sanctions.

  What changed. The group temporarily closed its Russian stores in March 2022.

  Aftermath. The supplied reference material does not establish the subsequent reopening status or the final disposition of each Russian operation.

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• 2016Launch of Privileges Club loyalty programStrategy

  Alshaya operated a broad multi-brand portfolio and sought to connect customer relationships across its Kuwait businesses.

  What changed. The group launched Privileges Club in Kuwait and planned expansion to other Gulf markets.

  Aftermath. The later Aura program became the group’s reported loyalty proposition in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

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• 2025Alshaya ended its Middle Eastern Debenhams operation

  The remaining Debenhams stores operated by Alshaya under license were reported as closing in December 2025 following the collapse and restructuring of the British parent brand’s wider business.

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• 2024First Chipotle restaurant in the Middle East opened in Kuwait

  Alshaya opened the first Middle Eastern Chipotle restaurant at The Avenues in Kuwait, using the brand’s newer restaurant format and multiple in-store ordering options.

  Product launch
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• 2024Alshaya opened the first Hampton by Hilton in Kuwait

  Hampton by Hilton Kuwait Salmiya opened with 110 rooms, extending Alshaya’s hospitality activity in its home market.

  Product launch
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• 2023Alshaya became Chipotle’s first Middle East franchise partner

  Alshaya announced an agreement to develop Chipotle restaurants in the Middle East, establishing a new regional franchise relationship for the Mexican-inspired restaurant chain.

  M&AProduct launch
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• 2022Alshaya temporarily closed its Russian stores

  The group temporarily closed stores operated for brands including Starbucks, Mothercare, The Body Shop and Victoria’s Secret in Russia amid the wider business and sanctions environment following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

  RegulationOther
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1. Alshaya Group
2. Alshaya Group official website