News

Sbarro to open 50 pizza shops in Mexico and Egypt

March 9, 2006

MELVILLE, N.Y.—Sbarro announced separate international development agreements with franchisers in Mexico and Egypt to open more than 50 total new locations in those countries over the next five years.

According to a news release, Sbarro will partner with Italian Restaurant Developers de Mexico to open 30 units, and Egypt's Sewedy Foods to open 20 units.

Sbarro will be the first Italian franchise in both countries to offer a broad menu that includes pizza, pastas, salads, desserts and other Italian foods. While the Mexican and Egyptian menus will mirror Sbarro's 200-item menu in the United States, each franchiser will make adjustments to customers' cultural and religious needs.

Currently, Sbarro has 1,000 restaurants in 30 countries, including in the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, Canada, Russia and Israel.

"We have an international franchise team that is among the best in the business and a concept that for decades has proven to be remarkably adaptable and successful across all continents and in virtually every world culture," said Peter Beaudrault, president and chief executive of Sbarro.

During the early stages of its Mexican expansion, Sbarro sites will be concentrated in Mexico City and surrounding metropolitan areas. The Mexican Sbarro menu will be "tropicalized" to include chorizo and other authentic Mexican flavors.

Sewedy Foods expects to open six Sbarro locations by the end of 2006, with plans for 14 additional restaurants over the next five years. All will be located in Cairo with the exception of a single restaurant located in the Red Sea tourist area. In keeping with the Muslim faith, the Egypt-based Sbarro restaurants will not use pork in any recipes or serve alcoholic beverages.