Bennigan’s and Almuftah Sterling teams together in Qatar—strengthening a 20+ year partnership and charting the path for exciting new growth across the GCC.
DALLAS, TX — [11/20/2025] — Bennigan’s, the iconic American brand known for its Legendary food, warm hospitality, and globally recognized franchise model, is preparing for a significant wave of expansion throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This strategic growth includes a major commitment to open multiple Bennigan’s and Bennigan’s On The Fly locations in Qatar over the next several years through its long-standing partnership with Almuftah Sterling Restaurant Group.
This renewed development represents both the strength of the Bennigan’s brand in international markets and the exceptional performance of its elite franchise partners in the region.
“Our upcoming growth isn’t just an operational milestone — it’s a testament to more than two decades of trust, collaboration, and shared vision. Our 20+ year relationship with Almuftah Sterling reflects everything Bennigan’s stands for: consistency, quality, and a deep respect for the franchise partners who bring our brand to life around the world,”
said Paul Mangiamele, Chairman & CEO of Legendary Restaurant Brands.
Bennigan’s expansion comes as demand for high-quality American dining continues to rise across the GCC. With the brand’s proven track record, adaptable footprint, and powerful menu innovation, Bennigan’s remains ideally positioned for new growth in markets seeking globally recognized, guest-centric restaurant concepts.
The inclusion of Bennigan’s On The Fly, the brand’s fast-casual, high-efficiency format, will further support Qatar’s evolving dining landscape with convenient, accessible, and experience-driven offerings designed for both locals and travelers.
“This is a pivotal moment for our brand in the Gulf region,” Mangiamele added. “Working with trusted franchise partners like Almuftah Sterling ensures our Legendary experience is delivered with the excellence and authenticity our guests expect.”
Additional GCC announcements are expected as Bennigan’s continues evaluating new development opportunities with existing and prospective franchise partners.
For more information, visit bennigans.com.
About Legendary Restaurant Brands
Legendary Restaurant Brands owns the iconic Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale brands – the pioneers of casual dining. Bennigan’s is a high-energy neighborhood full-service restaurant redefining and leading casual dining again. With chef-driven food, innovative drinks, and warm, friendly Irish hospitality, this Legendary brand delivers memorable and experiential dining experiences to every guest. It offers it’s franchise partners a business model capable of compelling returns on investment. The polished, fast-casual brand Bennigan’s On The Fly was designed for non-traditional venues, including hotels, or as a delivery-only virtual model operated from an existing commercial kitchen. Steak and Ale is truly the ‘American Original’ that has made its triumphant return and is already generating keen global interest. This new generation of Steak and Ale has been redefined as a 21st-century polished-casual concept that now sets the standard for affordable, high perceived value, family-friendly steakhouses.
To join Bennigan’s Legendary franchise family, visit LegendaryRestaurantBrands.com or call 800.804.5049.
