Wataniya launches 'Rainforest Cafe' in Egypt

The Doha-based holding company is owner and master franchisor of twenty two impressive portfolios of some of the most successful and universally recognized brand-name restaurants including fast food, casual dining and ultra-fine French haute-cuisine.

The portfolio includes household names such as NY Deli, Outback Steakhouse, Le Cirque, in addition to Rainforest Café.

Although Wataniya has identified several of its branded restaurants for the Egyptian market, the company has chosen to initiate its wide-scale Egyptian operation with Rainforest Cafe based on its merit as a provider of a totally different dining experience previously unavailable in Egypt and thereby changing the stereotypical perceptions of casual dining, and which, coupled with outstanding food, would take casual dining to a different dimension, at a total investment of $11m.

Several thousand applicants underwent Rainforest Cafe rigorous and painstaking selection process, designed essentially on attitude and character, and from which only three hundred were selected for a one-and-a-half month long orientation and training period.

The strict selection process reflects management's belief that Rainforest Cafe's staff is its most prized asset and the platform upon which success is built.

Mr. Sharif Wagdy, Wataniya's Director of Operations (Egypt), commented " We are truly excited about the launch of Rainforest Cafe here in Egypt. We are certain that the concept will be a huge hit with Egyptian families and where they can enjoy a unique dining experience under the watchful eye of several forest "inhabitants" themed with animatronics, fog, rain and artificial planting. We will, however, not be stopping there. We look forward to bringing to Egypt a whole host of the world's dining delights, in quick succession".

Other projects earmarked to make Egyptian debuts are Aquarium, Grotto, T.REX Café, Vic and Anthony's and Cadillac Grill.