PRESS RELEASE 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – September 9, 2025 – Askar Brands, one of America’s fastest-growing multi-brand restaurant groups, has signed an agreement  with Franchise Arabia Group to drive its expansion plan across the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.

Askar Brands, founded by industry veteran Casey Askar, is home to a fast-growing portfolio of American restaurant concepts including Blackjack Pizza & Salads, Papa Romano’s Pizza, Papa’s Pizza To GO, Breadeaux Pizza, and Sarpino's Pizzeria.  

Beyond its own brands, Askar Group also serves as the franchisee for Dunkin’ Donuts in Southwest Florida and Church’s Chicken in Texas, and Georgia further underscoring its franchise leadership and operational scale.

With decades of franchising experience and a proven track record of scalable success across the U.S., Askar Brands is now setting its sights on the Middle East as a strategic next frontier.

“We’re excited to bring our brands to the MENA region and introduce our proven franchise systems to a new generation of entrepreneurs,” said Casey Askar, Founder & President of Askar Brands.

“The region’s thriving economy, growing consumer demand, and passion for premium franchise concepts make it the perfect fit for our brands. With Franchise Arabia’s deep expertise and strong regional network, we are confident that our expansion will resonate with customers and deliver outstanding opportunities for investors,” added Askar. 

Chris Konja, Vice President of Askar Brands, stated: “Our tremendous success with Detroit Style Deep Dish Pizza in the United States — driven by our unique brand positioning and commitment to quality — gives us strong confidence in its potential across the MENA region. We look forward to bringing our distinctive pizza experience to new markets and serving pizza lovers throughout the region.”

Omar Alhaza’a, Founder & CEO of Franchise Arabia, commented, “Askar Brands is exactly the type of group we want to bring to the region — proven concepts, seasoned leadership, and a strong franchise DNA. We look forward to building a long-term partnership that unlocks major value for the region.”

 “Askar Brands represents the pinnacle of franchise excellence, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Casey Askar and his team to bring their world-class brands to the MENA region. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to introduce the most successful and innovative franchise concepts to the Middle East,” added Alhaza'a.

About Askar Brands

Askar Brands is a premier multi-brand franchising company founded by industry leader Casey Askar. With a focus on high-growth, scalable concepts, Askar Brands owns and operates a diverse range of franchise businesses. Known for its operational excellence and commitment to franchisee success, the company continues to expand its footprint, delivering exceptional experiences to customers worldwide.

About Franchise Arabia

Recognized as ‘The Voice of Franchising’ in the MENA region, Franchise Arabia is the region’s most trusted franchise directory and consultancy. As an award-winning platform, Franchise Arabia connects top-tier franchisors with qualified investors, facilitating successful market entry and expansion. With a proven track record of bringing global brands to the Middle East, Franchise Arabia provides unmatched expertise in franchise development and lead generation.

➽ Learn more about Blackjack Pizza & Salads - http://franarabia.com/franchises/blackjack-pizza-salads

➽ Learn more about Sarpino’s Pizzeria - http://franarabia.com/franchises/sarpinos-pizzeria  

➽ For information on how to invest in Askar Brands franchise, please contact our team at:  info@franarabia.com