Caprinos signs franchise agreement for 30 branches in the Riyadh region

Pizza brand Caprinos has signed a franchise development agreement to open at least 30 branches in the Riyadh region over the next five years, marking its first entry into the Middle East. A consortium of local partners, including one of the brand’s existing UK franchisees, will develop the sites, according to Hospitality & Catering News.

A five-year development agreement

The agreement puts the Riyadh region at the forefront of Caprinos’ entry into Saudi Arabia through a five-year, multi-site expansion programme. The announcement specifies at least 30 branches, making this a minimum development target under the agreement, rather than a count of branches already open.

This distinction matters: the announcement concerns an agreement to develop a branch network, not the launch of Saudi operations. Its geographical scope is also the Riyadh region, rather than Riyadh city alone, with no details on how sites will be distributed across the region’s cities or neighbourhoods.

The announcement did not include an opening date for the first branch, an annual schedule for site delivery, or details of branch sizes and operating formats. The key confirmed facts are therefore the scale, duration and geographical scope of the development commitment. Tracking delivery will require further announcements about sites and actual openings.

For Saudi Arabia’s franchise sector, the agreement adds another brand to those choosing to expand through local partners. However, it concerns a specific development arrangement and is not a public offer of individual franchises to prospective investors.

A partner with existing experience of the brand

A consortium of local partners will deliver the expansion. It includes an existing Caprinos franchisee in the UK who currently operates several of the brand’s branches. This is one of the agreement’s most notable details, linking entry into Saudi Arabia to an established operating relationship within the company’s network.

The announcement does not name the consortium members or disclose their ownership stakes or division of responsibilities. Nor does it clarify whether the consortium will develop all branches directly or whether other arrangements will allow additional parties to participate in operating them. The agreement therefore cannot be taken as evidence that sub-franchising will be available.

The partner’s confirmed experience consists of managing several branches of the brand in the UK market. Their precise role in Saudi Arabia, including any responsibilities for training, supply or site management, was not detailed in the announcement. These questions remain separate from the confirmed fact of their participation in the consortium responsible for expansion.

For those following new franchise agreements, there is a practical point here: the involvement of an existing franchisee in an international expansion partnership provides useful information about the partners involved. On its own, however, it is not enough to assess the local operating model or its performance before branches open.

A British network expands into the Middle East

Founded in 2014, Caprinos now operates more than 120 branches in the UK, alongside sites in Ireland and Pakistan. Its entry into Saudi Arabia therefore follows the establishment of a British network and a presence outside its core market, but represents its first move into the Middle East, according to the announcement.

Over the past two years, the brand has opened more than 30 branches, with further openings planned in its existing markets. This record provides context for the scale of the Riyadh programme, although branches already opened must be distinguished from the future Saudi branches covered by the agreement.

The company described the Riyadh agreement as the next stage of its international expansion. This places the Saudi project within a broader network growth strategy, rather than treating it as a single opening in a new market. However, no figures were announced for investment in the Saudi programme, branch set-up costs or expected returns.

Talks over other Saudi regions

Alongside the Riyadh agreement, Caprinos said it was in talks with prospective franchisees about development agreements in other Saudi regions. The announcement did not identify those regions, potential partners or the number of branches the discussions might cover.

The Riyadh region agreement therefore remains the announced, signed commitment, while the other discussions represent potential expansion that has not been confirmed through further agreements. This distinction between current commitments and future ambitions is essential when tracking the brand’s presence in Saudi Arabia.

The company aims to reach a global network of 200 sites by 2030. This is a stated target for the network as a whole, not a separate forecast for Saudi branch numbers or confirmation that the Riyadh programme will be complete by that date.

Practical takeaway: For those tracking franchise opportunities, the next step is to watch for the announcement of the first Saudi site and details of its operation. Interested investors should verify directly whether participation is available and on what terms, rather than treating the 30-branch development agreement as an open franchise offer.