Baskin Robbins opens first Café in Middle East

Leading ice cream brand’s new concept store in Jeddah to extend delectable spread of fondues and mouth-watering sundaes.

Jeddah, XX March, 2009: Baskin Robbins, the region’s leading ice cream brand and the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty stores, today announced the launch of its first Café in the Middle East. Café Baskin Robbins in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is a new concept store from the company, revolutionizing the upscale dessert offerings including fondues, slice cakes and other indulgent treats.

The new store, located at Kournish Jeddah, is the equivalent of a fast-casual restaurant in the ice cream segment where customers can enjoy premium quality Baskin Robbins offerings and top-class service standards in a comfortable ambience and inviting interiors suited for entire family. The Café offers convenient seating for all, including separate enclosures for males and families.

The flagship store from Baskin Robbins will be operated by Galadari Ice Cream Company (GICC), the exclusive licensee for Baskin Robbins for the entire region since 1978, through Jumeirah Trading Co Ltd (JTCL), its licensee in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Café Baskin Robbins offers a vast array of treats prepared by experts who extend a mouth-watering spread of baked desserts with ice cream catering to all age-groups and tastes. Among the spread is the ice cream fondue – a dessert where small scoops of ice cream are served with cakes pieces, fruits and chocolate sauce- and another delicacy is Affogato – ice cream scoop served with a shot of freshly brewed espresso. Also on the menu are refreshing cold beverages such as Coolers & Razaaz and stimulating hot beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos and hot chocolates. Interactive sundae stations add to the exquisite experience.

In his comments on the launch of the first-of-its-kind Café in the Middle East, Scott Colwell – Global Marketing Officer of Baskin Robbins – said: “The launch of our first Café Baskin Robbins in Middle East is part of our strategic growth and diversification in the region. In our new concept store, we offer a never-seen-before experience to our regional customers in an electric, bright and fun atmosphere through unique and exotic treats.”

Sharif H Khoory, Executive Director of Galadari Brothers, said: “It is a great privilege to offer a unique experience to our Middle East customers. GICC has been offering a delectable ice cream experience to our customers in Saudi Arabia over the last three decades across 215 stores. We are extending our premium offering through Café Baskin Robbins by enhancing the ice cream experience with a combination of interactive and entertaining environment, made-to-order served in a fun and trendy facade. We look to expand the concept treats store in other parts of the Gulf soon.”

Baskin Robbins offers the Gulf’s favorite and best-known premium ice cream, making it the largest QSR brand in the region. The company develops and markets its own ice cream varieties and maintains a recipe library of over 1000 exclusive flavours.