BinHendi inaugurates Second Cup School of Business

Tsampalieros successfully completed his first tour of the Middle East this month, highlighting the region's importance in the company's expansion plans.

The UAE leg of the visit was hosted by Mohi-Din BinHendi, President of BinHendi Enterprises, the exclusive franchisee of Second Cup coffee outlets throughout the Middle East.

"Gabe's visit to our region is a sign of how successful this premium retail coffee franchise has been in an incredibly competitive market and an indication of the future growth potential for Second Cup throughout the Middle East," BinHendi said. "We believe that Second Cup's distinctly Canadian identity and ambience and its product line of 30 premium coffees, has set it apart from other brands. More and more customers are choosing Second Cup and we have big plans for expansion."

Since arriving in the Middle East in 2003 under the BinHendi banner, Second Cup has already expanded dramatically, with outlets in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt. Tsampalieros's visit to the region is part of Second Cup's continuous global strategy to support key franchisees and work with partners to further build both brand awareness and business in the region.

Part of Mr. Tsampalieros itinerary included attending the first Second Cup regional meeting in the Middle East held in Oman. In the UAE, where he stayed for three days, Second Cup's top executive discussed the brand's future expansion plans with local partners and investors, as well as new strategies for enhancing the brand's value and product offers to consumers across the Middle East.

Commenting on his visit, Tsampalieros added, "The Middle East is an extraordinarily important emerging retail market for global brands - one of the world's fastest growing - and we are absolutely exhilarated by the breathtaking success Second Cup has had across the region in the capable hands of BinHendi Enterprises, which has been an exemplary franchisee. We see so much potential here and, to this end, are forming the Second Cup School of Business. We want to contribute to this dynamic and burgeoning region and become a positive part of society wherever we operate."

Founded in 1975, Second Cup began as a shopping mall kiosk that only sold whole bean coffee and has since become Canada's leading coffee retailer, with more than 360 cafés across Canada and over 20 cafés internationally with the Middle East as a major focus for global growth.

BinHendi Enterprises, founded by Mohi-Din BinHendi, who is President, is a Dubai based company in its 31st year of operation specializing in retail business. Well-known as a premium fashion and food retailer, BinHendi Enterprises has successfully introduced more than 60 prestigious international brands to the UAE, and has a rapidly growing portfolio of proprietary high concept dining brands. BinHendi Enterprises employs more than 3,000 staff in operations throughout the UAE, GCC and India.