UAE / Middle East, October 8, 2026: TGI Fridays has signed a development agreement with Meerab Hospitality to launch up to 15 restaurants in Pakistan, as part of its ongoing expansion across South Asia and the Middle East under its 1-2-3 Strategic Vision.
The agreement aims to strengthen TGI Fridays’ presence in Pakistan, a country with over 240 million people and a median age of 21, and supports the brand’s goal of reaching more than 1,000 restaurants and $2 billion in annual revenue by 2030.
First flagship to open in Lahore
The first flagship TGI Fridays restaurant under this partnership is set to open within the next 12 months at the Hyatt Regency Hotel complex in Lahore. The rollout will include a mix of company-owned and approved sub-franchised outlets over the next decade, according to Meerab Hospitality.
Meerab Hospitality brings regional expertise
Meerab Hospitality, the franchise and development arm of Meerab Properties, has over two decades of experience across the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia. The company will leverage its regional knowledge and operational strength to reintroduce the TGI Fridays brand to Pakistan and develop a sustainable nationwide business.
“We are delighted to bring TGI Fridays back to Pakistan and to begin a new chapter for this iconic global brand in the country,” said Pervaiz Iqbal Shahid, Founder and Group CEO of Meerab Properties. “Our first flagship restaurant is targeted to open within the next 12 months at the prestigious Hyatt Regency Hotel complex in Lahore.”
Expansion part of global growth strategy
This agreement follows TGI Fridays’ recent development deals in the Maldives and the Balkans, and adds to its international pipeline of nearly 200 new restaurants across markets including Kenya, Peru, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Greece, and Spain. The company currently operates nearly 400 restaurants in almost 40 countries.
Phil Broad, Global President of TGI Fridays, said Pakistan’s young population and evolving retail landscape make it an attractive market. “Pakistan has one of the youngest populations anywhere in the world and a retail landscape that’s evolving fast. Meerab Hospitality understands that better than an outside operator could, and their hospitality background means they know how to run a room, not just build one. That’s the combination we look for,” Broad said.
Company backgrounds
TGI Fridays was founded in 1965 and operates through global hubs in Dallas, Dubai, and London. Meerab Properties is based in the United Arab Emirates and invests in hospitality, real estate, and other sectors across the UAE and Pakistan.
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