Brain Bites explores second franchise after Pinkberry’s expansion in Lebanon

Brain Bites is exploring the addition of a second franchise to its business in Lebanon, having launched the company through Pinkberry’s return to the market. According to an interview with managing partner Khalil Khamis, published by Anecdoted on 10 September 2026, the frozen yoghurt brand now operates nine locations in the country. The potential addition would mark a new phase for the company: moving from operating a single brand to managing a portfolio, while keeping Lebanon its immediate priority.

A second franchise under discussion, not an opening announcement

The interview reports that Brain Bites is in discussions to bring a second franchise to the Lebanese market as Pinkberry continues to expand. However, it does not name the brand under consideration or give a timetable for signing an agreement or opening its first location. The confirmed development is therefore that talks are taking place, not that a new partnership has been signed or operations have begun.

The article explains that the company assesses prospective brands as parts of an integrated portfolio rather than standalone additions. This is consistent with Khamis’s description of Pinkberry as the beginning of Brain Bites’ journey, not its endpoint. The company’s stated aim goes beyond bringing a familiar brand back to Lebanese consumers: it wants to build an operational base capable of supporting other brands.

For those following Lebanon’s franchise sector, the significance lies in the business being developed, rather than the identity of a brand that has yet to be disclosed. The discussions concern adding a franchise to a company with an existing operation, but the published information does not establish the prospective brand’s category, investment requirements or possible locations.

From Pinkberry’s return to nine locations

Brain Bites was founded in 2024 by Najib Al Khatib and Khalil Khamis, with a focus on operating international brands in Lebanon to a consistent standard. Its first step was to secure the Pinkberry master franchise and bring the brand back to the country after it had closed during the economic crisis, according to the interview.

Khamis dates the relaunch to 2024, noting that it took place during a period of conflict. The article says the company subsequently opened three additional locations during another period of conflict, before reporting that Pinkberry now operates nine locations — also the total number of locations managed by Brain Bites in Lebanon.

The interview excerpts do not provide a complete list of addresses or opening dates. The nine-location figure should therefore be attributed to the published account from the managing partner, rather than used to infer an undisclosed geographical footprint or monthly opening rate. Nor does the report include sales or footfall data that would allow the network’s financial performance to be assessed.

An operating structure designed for multiple brands

According to the interview, the company’s headquarters and systems were designed from the outset to support several brands, enabling the team to open locations or introduce new franchises quickly and reliably. This provides the operational context for the current discussions: the company says it prepared its infrastructure to accommodate businesses beyond Pinkberry before announcing the identity of another franchise.

The article identifies Lebanon as the company’s immediate priority. Its stated focus at this stage is therefore on strengthening its local presence, rather than announcing international expansion. Similarly, its ambition to become a leading food and beverage operator in Lebanon remains a management goal, not a market ranking supported by independent figures.

Coverage by Indian Retailer and VF Franchise Consulting indicates that Brain Bites has chosen to operate Pinkberry locations directly rather than grant sub-franchises. This is important for anyone assessing opportunities to join the brand: under the reported model, growth in the number of locations does not automatically mean that sub-franchise rights are available to other investors.

Distinguishing expansion plans from delivery

Understanding the expansion requires a clear distinction between the interview and other published coverage. Articles from Indian Retailer dated 10 September and VF Franchise Consulting dated 14 September 2026 outline a plan to open ten stores over three years. They identify ABC Achrafieh as the brand’s return location, with subsequent locations anticipated at ABC Dbayeh and ABC Verdun.

By contrast, the Khamis interview published on 10 September refers to nine existing locations and dates the relaunch to 2024. The available excerpts do not establish when the three-year period began or allow the locations already opened to be matched against that plan. It would therefore be inaccurate to present the anticipated locations in the other reports as confirmed new openings, or to treat the target store count as already achieved.

The two reports also cite an initial investment of approximately US$500,000 within a five-year development plan worth US$1.5 million. These are reported figures for that project, not disclosed costs for the second franchise, which remains under discussion.

Practical takeaway: For those following Lebanon’s franchise sector, the next key development will be an official announcement identifying the second brand, its operating rights and its launch timetable. Until then, it is important to distinguish between the Pinkberry network described by management, expansion plans and negotiations that have yet to result in an announced agreement.