Muscat – The Omani fast-food brand Seven Fries has marked a major milestone in its growth journey with the inauguration of its first international branch in Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The outlet was officially opened on Wednesday by Eng Hamoud bin Salem al Saadi, Second Deputy Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Chairman of the Commercial Excellence Center Committee.

The launch marks a significant achievement under OCCI’s Commercial Excellence Programme, which supports the regional and international expansion of Omani businesses.

Speaking at the event, Saadi emphasised the role of the OCCI’s Franchise Programme in empowering Omani brands to compete beyond national borders. “The programme has successfully enabled several companies to sign franchise agreements, boosting their competitiveness and facilitating expansion both locally and internationally,” he said.

He added that the establishment of the Franchise Center under OCCI is a strategic step to ensure the programme’s sustainability, providing specialised support to businesses and entrepreneurs and strengthening the overall franchising ecosystem in Oman.

Issa bin Saleh al Aghbari, founder of Seven Fries, expressed pride in the brand’s growing international footprint. Launched in 2021 in Seeb in Muscat, Seven Fries has quickly emerged as a flagship Omani brand in the franchising space.

“From the beginning, Seven Fries has been focused on delivering premium-quality fresh potato products. Our franchise model is designed to share this success with partners around the world,” Aghbari said. “We are now preparing to enter new markets, particularly in the North Africa region and the United States.” The brand had already secured franchise agreements in Iraq, Pakistan, and an exclusive contract in India.

Aghbari revealed ambitious expansion plans, including the launch of up to 300 branches in India. He also highlighted increasing interest from investors in the United States and other global markets, positioning Seven Fries as a new ambassador for Omani entrepreneurship on the world stage.