TMR and Kitopi bring Catch 22 and Awani to Egypt

TMR has signed an exclusive franchising deal with Kitopi to launch Catch 22 and Awani in Egypt for the first time. The first Awani location is slated for Street 12 Mall in New Cairo, with more openings planned across the country.

Why it matters: - The deal gives Egyptian diners their first local access to two Gulf-born restaurant brands. - The rollout adds new international food-and-beverage concepts to TMR’s retail portfolio. - The partnership also signals continued interest from regional operators in Egypt’s consumer market.

What happened: - TMR signed a strategic franchising agreement with Kitopi to launch Catch 22 and Awani in Egypt. - The agreement was signed by Omar Hisham Talaat, CEO of TMR, and Mohamad Ballout, CEO and co-founder of Kitopi. - The brands will enter Egypt for the first time through TMR. - The first Awani branch will open at Street 12 Mall in New Cairo.

The details: - Awani is a contemporary Levantine restaurant serving Syrian, Lebanese, Jordanian and Palestinian dishes. - Catch 22 is a modern social dining concept focused on international cuisine. - Both brands already operate multiple branches across the Gulf region, including Dubai, Riyadh and Bahrain. - TMR said the launch is the first step in a broader collaboration with Kitopi to introduce more brands to the Egyptian market. - TMR said the partnership fits its plan to grow its retail and F&B portfolio and expand into new concepts. - TMR said the strategy is aimed at matching Egyptian consumer demand and supporting Egypt’s appeal to global brands and investors.

Between the lines: - The launch pairs a local market operator with a regional restaurant platform that already has scale in the Gulf. - The move suggests both companies see Egypt as a growth market for branded dining concepts. - Kitopi framed the agreement as a milestone in its expansion and a way to strengthen brand visibility in Egypt.

What's next: - TMR plans further openings for both brands in strategic locations across Egypt. - TMR said more international brands are expected to follow in the coming period. - Kitopi expects to work with TMR to deliver an experience aligned with the brands’ standards and customer expectations.

The bottom line: - TMR and Kitopi are betting that Cairo and other Egyptian markets can support more premium regional dining brands.