FAT Brands Acquires Yalla Mediterranean

FAT Brands, parent company to several franchise brands including Fatburger, announced it has completed a deal to acquire 7-unit chain Yalla Mediterranean. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

Yalla Mediterranean was founded in Los Angeles in 2014 as a fast-casual restaurant serving healthy Mediterranean fare and is also known for its “environmentally friendly operations,” according to an article in QSR Magazine. FAT Brands plans to franchise the concept, which currently operates seven locations across California.

“By bringing Yalla Mediterranean into the FAT Brands family, we'll be able to help the brand grow its footprint in its existing markets and expand to new markets through our extensive network of franchise partners,” FAT Brands president and CEO Andy Wiederhorn said.

With the acquisition, the parent company now owns seven restaurant brands with a total of 300 open locations and more than 300 under development worldwide. FAT Brands has been on the fast-track toward expansion since its IPO in 2017; earlier this year, the parent company acquired Hurricane Grill & Wings for $12.5 million.

Image courtesy of Yalla Mediterranean on Instagram.