TGI Fridays Signs Deal to Open 15 Restaurants in Pakistan
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TGI Fridays announced a development agreement with Meerab Hospitality on Sept. 23, 2026, to expand its presence in South Asia by scaling to 15 restaurants across Pakistan.
The agreement targets a market of more than 240 million people with a median age of 21, aligning with the brand’s wider 1-2-3 Strategic Vision to reach over 1,000 restaurants and $2 billion in annual revenue by 2030.
Flagship site set for Lahore
Development begins in Lahore, where the first flagship restaurant is targeted to open within the next 12 months at the Hyatt Regency Hotel complex to establish the standard for future locations.
Operating rights belong to Meerab Hospitality, the franchise and development arm of Meerab Properties. Led by founder and group chief executive Pervaiz Iqbal Shahid, the group holds two decades of property and operational assets across the UAE, Pakistan, and Central Asia.
Shahid confirmed the group plans to rebuild the brand through a capitalized operating structure following earlier market exits.
Franchise mechanics and local operating risks
Pakistan offers international operators massive demographic scale, but execution risks are high. Western chains operating full-service formats face volatile currencies, rising utility overheads, and shifting import duties on specialized ingredients. To protect unit economics from currency shocks, operators must build domestic supply chains for poultry, produce, and dairy.
“That program aims to expand the global footprint past 1,000 restaurants and generate $2 billion in annual system revenue by 2030.”
Competition is fierce from domestic dining brands and fast-casual burger chains running lower average checks. TGI Fridays bets that dense commercial developments and hotel sites like the Hyatt Regency will generate the footfall needed to fill large dining rooms.
Shift toward experiential dining formats
Retail landlords and developers increasingly rely on international food-and-beverage banners to pull foot traffic into mixed-use sites. Landlords in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad are shifting gross leasable area away from apparel retail and toward dining and entertainment hubs aimed at consumers under 30.
Offerings will center on non-alcoholic drinks, mocktail menus, and American bar-and-grill staples tailored to local dining habits. Support hubs in Dubai, London, and Dallas will handle franchisee assistance, quality audits, and menu localization across South Asia.
Global pipeline targets 1,000 locations by 2030
The expansion fits into the Dallas-based chain’s 1-2-3 Strategic Vision turnaround plan. That program aims to expand the global footprint past 1,000 restaurants and generate $2 billion in annual system revenue by 2030. Today, the chain runs roughly 400 restaurants across nearly 40 countries.
September has already brought two market entries for the brand, starting with a franchise launch in the Balkans. Over the past year, regional agreements have added nearly 200 commitments across the Maldives, the Philippines, Japan, Kenya, Peru, Mexico, Spain, Greece, and Cyprus.
Fit-out work at the Hyatt Regency complex in Lahore begins this year, with initial guest intake targeted before the final quarter of 2027.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the timeline for the new TGI Fridays restaurants to open in Pakistan?
What is the timeline for the new TGI Fridays restaurants to open in Pakistan?
The first flagship restaurant in Lahore is targeted to open within the next 12 months. Fit-out work at the Hyatt Regency complex begins this year, with initial guest intake targeted before the final quarter of 2027.
Q.Which company is responsible for opening and operating these new TGI Fridays restaurants?
Which company is responsible for opening and operating these new TGI Fridays restaurants?
Meerab Hospitality, the franchise and development arm of Meerab Properties, holds the operating rights. It is led by founder and group chief executive Pervaiz Iqbal Shahid.
Q.What are some of the key challenges TGI Fridays might face when expanding into the Pakistani market?
What are some of the key challenges TGI Fridays might face when expanding into the Pakistani market?
International operators face volatile currencies, rising utility overheads, and shifting import duties on specialised ingredients. There is also fierce competition from domestic dining brands and fast-casual burger chains.
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