UK-based Caprinos Pizza is entering the Middle East with a five-year franchise development agreement for at least 30 restaurants in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Province, adding a new market to its international expansion plans.
The agreement, signed with a consortium of local partners that includes an existing Caprinos UK franchisee, marks the pizza chain’s first move into the Middle East. The roll-out will initially focus on Riyadh Province, with the company also exploring opportunities to expand into other parts of Saudi Arabia.
The deal gives Caprinos a structured route into the Saudi market, with local partners expected to support restaurant development and operations. The company has confirmed that discussions are underway with prospective franchise partners interested in developing the brand in additional provinces, although further agreements have yet to be announced.
Caprinos Co-Founders Gul Nawaz and Khalil Rehman see Saudi Arabia as an opportunity to introduce the brand to a wider international audience, supported by Riyadh’s growing population and business and tourism activity.
The Saudi agreement follows Caprinos’ planned entry into Spain through a master franchise arrangement with Farhat Faheem, who is targeting 50 locations in the country. The two agreements reinforce the company’s strategy of using local franchise partners to accelerate international growth.
Founded in Oxfordshire, England, in 2014, Caprinos Pizza has grown into a multi-market restaurant business specialising in pizza, sides and delivery-led dining. The company now operates more than 120 locations across the UK, alongside restaurants in Ireland and Pakistan.
Franchising became a central part of its expansion strategy in 2018, following an initial period of company-owned growth. The model has enabled Caprinos to extend its reach through independent operators, including multi-unit franchisees, while retaining a focus on operational standards and brand consistency.
The company has also continued to expand its UK network, with recent openings in locations including Greenwich, Welling, Shotton, Norwich and Hinckley. Its domestic presence provides a foundation for the next phase of international development.
Caprinos is targeting 200 locations globally by 2030, with Saudi Arabia and Spain adding new development opportunities beyond its established markets. The 30-restaurant Saudi agreement represents a significant pipeline, although individual opening dates and the total investment value have not been disclosed.
The expansion will test Caprinos’ ability to transfer its operating model into new markets while adapting to local consumer preferences, supply chains and operating conditions. The involvement of an existing UK franchisee in the Saudi consortium could also help bring familiarity with the brand’s systems into the new territory.
As Caprinos pursues its 2030 target, converting development agreements into operating restaurants will be central to its growth. The Saudi deal marks its Middle East debut and gives the UK-founded chain a new platform for expansion across the Gulf.
