BAGHDAD, April 13 — In a sign of things to come, Pizza Hut has announced the opening of its first restaurant in Iraq, where appetites for Western-style fast food are growing.
After pulling out with US troops in 2011, Pizza Hut has returned to the country, this time within reach of ordinary Iraqi citizens. The former restaurant was located on US military bases.
The new restaurant, which seats 120 diners, is located in the Kurdistan region of Northern Iraq in the Majidi Mall, Erbil, and is the first of five restaurants to open in Iraq this year.
Just three years after the US pulled their troops from the country, and 11 years after the start of the Iraq War, the country is opening up to Western brands, even building American and British knock-offs like Burger Queen, Burger Friends, Costa Rica Coffee and KFG.
Likewise, the oil-rich country and the stability of Northern Iraq are also eyed by the hotel industry with two major brands making moves into the region.
Marriott will be opening two properties in Kurdistan this year, one a 200-room upscale hotel, the other a 75-unit Marriott Executive Apartments property.
Last fall, Hyatt also announced plans to open its first Hyatt-branded hotel in the same region by 2017.
“There is great potential for growth in Iraq and throughout the Middle East, and we look forward to introducing the Hyatt brand to guests visiting the region,” said the regional senior vice president for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Peter Norman. — Afp-Relaxnews
