BAHRAIN – Prominent restaurant operator AlAbraaj Restaurants Group has appointed SICO BSC (c) as the lead manager for its upcoming initial public offering (IPO).
As Lead Manager, SICO will apply its deep expertise and regional market knowledge to guide AlAbraaj’s entry into the public market.
The IPO marks a pivotal step for AlAbraaj, which has built a strong reputation over the past four decades. This move is expected to enhance transparency, operational scale, and brand presence.
The IPO aims to create one of Bahrain’s largest publicly traded food and beverage companies, with the listing anticipated by year-end on the Bahrain Bourse’s main market.
SICO, a leading regional asset manager, brokerage, and investment bank, operates directly in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This appointment aligns with AlAbraaj’s broader growth strategy.
Expanding its footprint in the region, AlAbraaj is also launching new restaurant concepts in prominent Bahrain locations, including the Avenues Mall extension, Al Liwan in Hamala, and Bahrain City Center.
Additionally, the company is preparing for direct market entry in Saudi Arabia, complementing its existing franchise operations there.
AlAbraaj’s Chairman, Hamad Rashed Isa, expressed that the Bahrain Bourse listing will be a milestone in the company’s journey, which began in 1987.
He highlighted the brand’s pride in its Bahraini culinary heritage and shared plans for further growth across the GCC.
“With SICO’s support, we’re prepared to embark on this new phase, strengthening our brands and broadening our reach in Bahrain and beyond. This IPO will help us expand our market presence and position us for future growth,” Rashed Isa stated.
SICO’s Group CEO, Najla Al Shirawi, remarked on the IPO, expressing pride in leading AlAbraaj Restaurant Group’s public offering as they embark on an exciting new phase.
She highlighted that AlAbraaj embodies Bahrain’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovation, and noted that the IPO presents a fresh investment opportunity in the Kingdom’s growing food and beverage sector, with the potential to enhance trading activity and liquidity on the Bahrain Bourse.
Al Shirawi also emphasized that SICO’s involvement reflects its longstanding reputation as a provider of comprehensive and innovative investment banking services in the GCC since 1995. She added that they anticipate a successful IPO in the upcoming weeks.
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