Kout Food Group

{{short description|Kuwaiti-based conglomerate}} {{Infobox company | name = Kout Food Group K.S.C.C. | logo = Kout Food Group logo.webp | caption = | trading_name =  | native_name =  | native_name_lang =  | former_name = {{Ubl | Al-Nowair Foodstuff Company (1981–1985) | Al-Homaizi Foodstuff Co. (1985–2005) }} | type = Private | traded_as = | industry = Foodservice | fate = | successor = | foundation = {{Start date|1981}} | defunct =  | hq_location = Kuwait City, Kuwait | location_city = | location_country = | locations =  | area_served = | key_people = Fadwa Al-Homaizi (Chairwoman) | products = | production = | brands = {{Plain list| * Al Nuwair Café * Al Nuwair Kitchens * Ayyame * Burj Al-Hamam * Fol O' Yasmine * Fleyfley * Fresh Productions * Kabab AlMoualem * Little Chef (defunct) * Melting Point * Scoop A Cone * Shawarma Twist * Shawarma Abu Elez * Shawarma AlTaybeen * Speedy Bunny }} | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum =  | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | website = {{URL|koutfood.com}} | footnotes = | intl = | bodystyle = }}

'''Kout Food Group K.S.C.C.''' ({{IPAc-en|k|u:|t|}}) is a Kuwaiti operator of food service providers and production facilities. It was founded in 1981 as '''Al-Nowair Foodstuff Company''', and was renamed '''Al-Homaizi Foodstuff Co.''' from 1985 to 2005.

The group are best known for being the master franchisee of Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway, Taco Bell, Applebee's and IHOP across Kuwait, and have formerly traded in Iraq, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. From 2007 to 2016, the group were listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kout Food Group {{!}} Leading Food Group Restaurants Kuwait {{!}} Kout Food Group, Soor Street, Kuwait City, Kuwait |url=https://www.koutfood.com |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=Kout Food Group |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Kuwait === In 1981, the group was originally known as Al-Nowair Foodstuff Company, and operated a restaurant chain in Kaifan called Bugsbunny, as well as having a franchise agreement with Pizza Hut.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kout Food Group |url=https://www.kfg.jobs/en/page/our-brands/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.kfg.jobs |language=en}}</ref> In 1984, the name of the restaurant chain was changed to 'Hungry Bunny', and in the year following the parent company's name was changed to Al-Homaizi Foodstuff Co. By 1990, there were 35 Hungry Bunny locations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-30 |title=Sout Al Kout Issue #1 by Kout Food Group - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/koutfood/docs/sout_al_kout |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 1997, the group acquired the Burger King franchise for Kuwait, rebranding the existing Hungry Bunny restaurants by 1998, and eventually growing to 61 locations across the country by June 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Al Kout |url=https://www.alkout.com/en/Dine-items/1676/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Journal |first=KidZania |date=2017-10-11 |title=Burger King joins hands with KidZania Kuwait |url=https://medium.com/kidzania-journal/burger-king-joins-hands-with-kidzania-kuwait-7c93db3d75f8 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=KidZania Journal |language=en}}</ref> In 1999, the group acquired the Applebee's Kuwaiti franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kout Food Group |url=https://www.kfg.jobs/en/page/our-brands/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.kfg.jobs |language=en}}</ref> In 2004, the group opened its own chain, Burj Al-Hamam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kout Food Group |url=https://www.kfg.jobs/en/page/our-brands/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.kfg.jobs |language=en}}</ref> In 2005, a corporate restructure meant that Al-Homaizi Foodstuff Co. became a subsidiary of Kout Food Group.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Journal |first=KidZania |date=2017-10-11 |title=Burger King joins hands with KidZania Kuwait |url=https://medium.com/kidzania-journal/burger-king-joins-hands-with-kidzania-kuwait-7c93db3d75f8 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=KidZania Journal |language=en}}</ref> In 2007, Kout Food Group went public, becoming a subsidiary of the Al-Homaizi Company. In 2009, the group established Fresh Productions, in Sabhan, Kuwait.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kout Food Group {{!}} Leading Food Group Restaurants Kuwait {{!}} Kout Food Group, Soor Street, Kuwait City, Kuwait |url=https://www.koutfood.com |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=Kout Food Group |language=en}}</ref> In 2010, the group began a franchise agreement with Taco Bell.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kout Food Group |url=https://www.kfg.jobs/en/page/our-brands/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.kfg.jobs |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2021, the group opened a new 16,000-square-metre warehouse in Sulaibiya.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2021-06-24 |title=KFG opens largest DC in Kuwait |url=https://www.globaltrailermag.com/2021/06/24/kfg-opens-largest-dc-in-kuwait/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=Global Trailer |language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2022, Subway agreed to a master franchise agreement with the group in Kuwait.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-09 |title=Pizza Hut opens first unit in Iraq |url=https://www.nrn.com/international/pizza-hut-opens-first-unit-iraq |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Nation's Restaurant News |language=en}}</ref> In August 2022, the group was awarded the BRC Global Standard certificate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Release |first=Press |title=Kout Food Group is the first in Kuwait to be awarded BRCGS certificate for high-quality storage & distribution practices |url=https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/kout-food-group-is-the-first-in-kuwait-to-be-awarded-brcgs-certificate-for-high-quality-storage-and-distribution-practices-e0e9o6xx |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.zawya.com |language=en}}</ref> In April 2023, the group opened Pizza Hut, Burger King and Subway at Kuwait International Airport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jazeera Terminal 5 introduces new multi-million dollar upgrades {{!}} Times Aerospace |url=https://www.timesaerospace.aero/news/airports/jazeera-terminal-5-introduces-new-multi-million-dollar-upgrades |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.timesaerospace.aero}}</ref> In May 2023, the group announced an agreement with IHOP, to incorporate IHOP concessions in its Applebee's locations in Kuwait.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mark |date=2023-05-19 |title=iHop is back in Kuwait and now with Kout Food Group |url=https://248am.com/mark/food/ihop-is-back-in-kuwait-and-now-with-kout-food-group/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=2:48AM - Everything Kuwait |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Former operations ==

=== United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iraq === In August 2012, the group announced it would expand into the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-08-13 |title=Kout Food to launch units in UAE, Qatar, Iraq |url=https://english.mubasher.info/news/2138063/Kout-Food-to-launch-units-in-UAE-Qatar-Iraq/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=english.mubasher.info |language=en}}</ref> In April 2014, the group opened the first Pizza Hut location in Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-09 |title=Pizza Hut opens first unit in Iraq |url=https://www.nrn.com/international/pizza-hut-opens-first-unit-iraq |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Nation's Restaurant News |language=en}}</ref> In April and June 2015, the group opened the second and third Iraqi Pizza Hut locations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-03 |title=2nd issue Sout Al Kout Newsletter by Kout Food Group - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/koutfood/docs/2d_issue_final_pdf_ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== United Kingdom === In July 2005, the group entered the UK market as a franchisee of Burger King.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BKUK FLAME LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/05501116 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> In November 2007, the group acquired the Maison Blanc patisserie chain of outlets and its Park Royal production facility, rescuing it from Lyndale Foods who later collapsed into administration.<ref>{{cite web |last= |date=2009-05-08 |title=Raymond Blanc to relaunch Maison Blanc patisserie chain |url=https://bakeryinfo.co.uk/news/raymond-blanc-to-relaunch-maison-blanc-patisserie-chain/612162.article |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=British Baker }}</ref> In May 2008, alongside Alan Yau, it would create the fast-casual Chinese noodle bar concept, Cha Cha Moon; which opened its inaugural location in London's Kingly Court.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alan Yau's Cha Cha Moon's food slated by critic |url=https://www.thecaterer.com/news/alan-yaus-cha-cha-moons-food-slated-by-critic |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=The Caterer |language=En}}</ref> A second Cha Cha Moon location was attempted in the declining Whiteleys Shopping Centre, however Kout created the Cafe Licious, Chi Wok and Pasta Rossa brands to replace it, in an attempt to attract a wider audience.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disposal of Kitchen Italia restaurant business – Coffer Corporate Leisure |url=https://www.coffercorporate.com/transaction/disposal-of-kitchen-italia-restaurant-business/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Later in 2008, Kout opened its fast-casual Italian dining concept called Kitchen Italia in the Westfield Shopping Centre and Covent Garden.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disposal of Kitchen Italia restaurant business – Coffer Corporate Leisure |url=https://www.coffercorporate.com/transaction/disposal-of-kitchen-italia-restaurant-business/ |access-date=2022-12-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In June 2012, the group added KFC to its UK portfolio, acquiring a number of locations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SCOTCO ONE FOUR FIVE LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00930481/filing-history?page=2 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> In March 2013, the Kitchen Italia restaurants would cease, citing low trade.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KITCHEN ITALIA RESTAURANTS LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06521839 |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2013, the group acquired the Little Chef restaurant chain, alongside the trademarks for the former Happy Eater and Coffee Tempo! brands, purchased from private-equity firm RCapital for £15 million. The group were reported to be the only bidder who wanted to retain the Little Chef brand, as other bidders wanted to redevelop the sites.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-05 |title=RCapital sells Little Chef chain to Kout Food Group |url=https://www.scotsman.com/business/rcapital-sells-little-chef-chain-kout-food-group-1565662 |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=www.scotsman.com |language=en}}</ref> This purchase also included a number of Burger King locations which were attached to the Little Chef properties, with the group continuing to add Burger King and Subway locations to the sites after its purchase. In 2013 and 2014, the group acquired a number of Costa Coffee franchises.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-15 |title=Little Chef owner Kout Food Group snaps up... |url=https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/little-chef-owner-kout-food-group-snaps-up-south-west-coffee |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=The Caterer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farnsworth |first=John |date=2014-08-12 |title=Coffee Snobs Limited Sold to Kout Food Group |url=https://www.pkfsmithcooper.com/news-insights/coffee-snobs-limited-sold-to-kout-food-group/ |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=PKF Smith Cooper |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2016, it trademarked the name Shi Chang, but did not use it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search for a trade mark - Intellectual Property Office |url=https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00915488588 |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=trademarks.ipo.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2016, the group began to show signs of leaving the UK, first by closing its Whiteleys location, and then selling Cha Cha Moon's Kingly Court building lease later that September.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-05 |title=Eating & Drinking |url=http://www.whiteleys.com/dining |access-date=2023-01-08 |archive-date=2016-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105085850/http://www.whiteleys.com/dining |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-26 |title=Original Cha Cha Moon restaurant for sale |url=https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/original-cha-cha-moon-restaurant-for-sale |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=The Caterer |language=en}}</ref> In December 2016, there were talks Patisserie Valerie would purchase Maison Blanc from Kout Food Group, however these talks fell through, with Maison Blanc closing down completely a few months later.<ref>{{cite web |last= |date=2016-12-02 |title=Patisserie Holdings in talks to acquire Maison Blanc |url=https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/patisserie-holdings-in-talks-to-acquire-maison-blanc/545673.article |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=MCA Insight }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-10 |title=Maison Blanc Has Closed |url=https://www.henleyherald.com/2017/03/10/maison-blanc-closed/ |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=Henley Herald |language=en-GB}}</ref> In February 2017, Euro Garages purchased the locations used by the Little Chef chain for £16 million, which it would then convert into its franchise partner brands by October 2018, with Kout Food Group retaining ownership of the Little Chef brand.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Media|first=Insider|title=Little Chef sites sold to Euro Garages|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/little-chef-sites-sold-to-euro-garages|access-date=2021-11-05|website=Insider Media Ltd|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= |date=2017-07-27 |title=Euro Garages invested £16m on Little Chef deal |url=https://www.mca-insight.com/coffee-shops/euro-garages-invested-16m-on-little-chef-deal/555764.article |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=MCA Insight |language=en}}</ref> In September 2017, the group sold its KFC franchises to The Herbert Group.<ref>{{Cite news |title=KFC tycoon is set to create 100 jobs and open a further 27 fast food units |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/jobs/kfc-tycoon-is-set-to-create-100-jobs-and-open-a-further-27-fast-food-units-36168152.html |access-date=2022-08-31 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In February 2019, its UK head office and former production facility in Park Royal was sold to Joe and Seph's.<ref>{{Citation |title=Maison Blanc - Walkthrough |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_XUkBnfTHE |language=en |access-date=2022-12-24}}</ref> In January 2020, the group sold its remaining Burger King locations to BK UK, and then left the UK market completely in August 2020 by selling off its Costa Coffee franchises to Gerry's Offshore UK.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gerry's - Local Expertise, Global Vision |url=https://gerrys.com.pk/news/ccstores.html |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=gerrys.com.pk |archive-date=2021-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917185710/https://gerrys.com.pk/news/ccstores.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its defunct UK brands, such as Little Chef and Maison Blanc, are now registered in Kuwait under the main parent company.

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * [https://www.koutfood.com Official website] * {{OpenCorp|Kout Food Group}} {{Pizza Hut|state=expanded}} Category:Food companies of Kuwait Category:Food and drink companies established in 1982 Category:Retailing in Kuwait Category:Burger King Category:Pizza Hut Category:Kuwaiti companies established in 1982