Cinnabon dessert chain is planning to launch three new stores in Tanta, Gharbeya governorate, Smouha, Alexandria, and Fifth Settlement, New Cairo before the end of 2019, according to the United Beverage and Food Company (UBF). UBF's President Mohamed Nagui told Daily News Egypt that Cinnabon is investing around EGP 40m in its new factory located in Tenth of Ramadan' business park to support the company's growth. Cinnabon is owned by UBF, an Egyptian company established in 2003, operating in three divisions within the food service sector café-bakery and casual dining sectors. UBF exclusively holds the franchise of Cinnabon from Focus Group International brands since 2003. In 2003, the first Cinnabon bakeshop in Egypt opened in Maadi City Centre. He pointed out that the company currently owns and operates 35 Cinnabon bakeshops, 26 in Cairo, five in Alexandria, two in Mansoura, one in Tanta, and one in Port Said. "Over the years, we have invested more than EGP 70m and we are not stopping any time soon," Nagui added. "We also have a new store look, that can be seen in our bakeshop in Madinaty, Arabella Plaza, Downtown, and City Centre Almaza. We have also introduced our signature coffee range. Our objective is to become an everyday indulgence destination where you can enjoy our fresh hot baked rolls, coffee, or both," Nagui stated. Across the past 16 years, Cinnabon Egypt has won many international awards and is considered, by Focus Brands Group, a preferred franchise partner. Moreover, they serve more than five million guests yearly. Accordingly, UBF has around 600 passionate employees and the company is a family business with a stable growth, Outside the United States, Cinnabon is currently operating in 48 countries across Europe, Russia, Far East, and the Middle East with more than 1,300 bakeshops, he highlighted. He further said that Cinnabon is the world-wide leader in the cinnamon roll bakery category, founded in Seattle, Washington in 1985. The first Cinnabon bakery opened on the fourth of December, 1985 at Sea Tac Mall. With regards to the impact of inflation on their prices, Nagui elaborated that they were highly impacted. "Most of our raw materials are imported. This caused costs to rise and you can't pass on all the increasing costs to customers. Accordingly, we try to maintain our prices as much as we can," he stated. Even though Cinnabon is famous for the Classic Rolls. In Egypt, the Caramel PecanBon and the ChocoBon are the top sellers. They have 80% of the product range in the USA, he disclosed. Cinnabon is constantly introduces new products to suit the guests needs such asthe Roll-on-the-go range. In addition, the company just introduced the MegaBon. Every quarter, there is a limited time offer, whether new roll flavour or a beverage, he explained. "At Cinnabon Egypt, we are currently working on being plastic free. This will launch by the end of November. Within the coming few years, our objective is to be plastic free," he said, noting that Cinnabon Egypt also launched a campaign with Baheya foundation to collect EGP 100,000 which have been completely donated to raise breast cancer awareness and early detection. "The food and beverage market in Egypt is booming. Apart from successful international brands, which are almost all operating in Egypt, with the exception of a few, there is an impressive number of local brands on the rise," he concluded.
