Abrakebabra to open 200 UK outlets

Abrakebabra has signed a master franchise agreement with UK-based AKA Group Ltd, that will see up to 200 Abrakebabra outlets open in the UK in the next five years.

Ireland’s first Abrakebabra opened in Rathmines, Dublin in 1982. There are now 59 franchise operations across Ireland generating an annual turnover of over €30m, and a pre-tax profit of €1.4m last year.

The company’s current five-year expansion plan will see it open 10 new outlets each year in Ireland. Internationally, Abrakebabra operates four outlets in Bahrain, and two in Southern Spain.

Founded by entrepreneur Graeme Beere, Abrakebabra is now owned in partnership with promoter Denis Desmond.

Abrakebabra’s first UK outlet will open in Northampton in July 2004, followed by further outlets in Banbury and Bedford. AKA UK plans to open five outlets in the first year, building to 60 outlets in five years. Working with licensed partners, a further 140 outlets will be opened nationwide, creating a total of 200 Abrakebabra outlets in the first five years.

“Having researched the fast-food market intensively, Abrakebabra became, for us, the obvious choice, in terms of delivering on all our objectives for a Master Franchise opportunity,” said Patrick Leahy, of AKA UK Ltd. "

He added that he expected the venture to generate sales of £1m (€1.48m) in the first year.”