AlBaik Around the World: Countries, Branches and Expansion Plans

Last updated: 27 September 2026.

For almost half a century, the only way to eat AlBaik was to go to Saudi Arabia. That has changed over the last few years, as the brand has opened in neighbouring Gulf countries and signed its first deal for a market further away: Pakistan. This guide explains where AlBaik operates today, how its international expansion has unfolded, and what it tells us about the Pakistan launch.

AlBaik by country

Country	Branches (approx.)	First opened	Status
Saudi Arabia	153	1974	Home market
United Arab Emirates	23	2021	Growing
Bahrain	4	2020	Established
Kuwait	1	2025	New
Pakistan	0	Expected 2026	Announced, not open

Source: Wikipedia. Branch numbers change as new outlets open and should be treated as approximate.

Saudi Arabia: the home market

AlBaik was founded in Jeddah in 1974 and spent more than four decades growing inside Saudi Arabia. It is strongest in the western region, including Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, and has since spread to Riyadh, the Eastern Province and many other cities. With around 153 branches, Saudi Arabia still accounts for the large majority of AlBaik’s restaurants. Its branches near the two holy mosques serve millions of pilgrims every year, which is how many Pakistanis first discovered the brand.

Bahrain: the first step abroad

Bahrain became AlBaik’s first market outside Saudi Arabia in 2020. Connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway, Bahrain already had many people who knew AlBaik from trips across the border, so demand was strong from day one. Today it has around four branches.

United Arab Emirates: the big test

The UAE, where AlBaik arrived in 2021, was a much bigger test. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are among the most competitive food markets in the world, full of international chains. AlBaik’s openings drew long queues and heavy social media coverage, and the brand has grown to around 23 branches. Its success in the UAE showed that AlBaik could compete outside Saudi Arabia, not just rely on nostalgia.

Kuwait: the latest Gulf market

Kuwait followed in 2025, with its first branch according to Wikipedia. Growth there is at an early stage.

Pakistan: the first market beyond the Gulf

In October 2024, ALBAIK Food Systems Company signed an MoU with Gas & Oil Pakistan (GO) to explore opening restaurants in Pakistan (Arab News). In February 2025, Pakistan’s commerce ministry said the process was in its final stages (Business Recorder). As of 27 September 2026, no opening date or branch address has been announced. Read the latest Pakistan launch news.

What the Gulf launches tell us about Pakistan

• AlBaik moves carefully. It took 46 years to open outside Saudi Arabia and then added one market at a time. A patient Pakistan timeline fits that pattern.
• Launches create huge crowds. Queues in Dubai were widely shared online. Pakistan, with millions of fans who know AlBaik from Saudi Arabia, is likely to see similar scenes.
• The core menu stays the same. Broasted chicken, garlic sauce and shrimp have been central in every market.
• Growth comes after the first outlets. In the UAE, branch numbers grew steadily after the first openings. Pakistan will probably start small and expand city by city.

Future markets

Wikipedia lists a number of possible future markets across Asia, Europe and elsewhere, but AlBaik has not announced firm dates for them. We will update this page when new countries are officially confirmed, rather than repeat rumours.

Visiting AlBaik abroad: quick tips

• Download the official ALBAIK app to find branches, check the menu and see prices in local currency.
• Avoid peak meal times at popular branches, especially in the first months after an opening.
• Menus can differ slightly between countries, so don’t be surprised if an item you know from Saudi Arabia is missing.
• Use our homepage converter to turn Saudi riyal prices into rupees.

Why AlBaik waited so long to expand

Most global fast-food brands expand quickly through franchising. AlBaik did the opposite, and there are a few likely reasons. First, its home market was big and growing, with millions of residents and pilgrims, so there was plenty of room to open more branches in Saudi Arabia. Second, AlBaik is known for consistent taste and quality, which is harder to protect when you move into countries with different suppliers and regulations. Third, staying local gave the brand a special status: it became something people associated with Saudi Arabia and with pilgrimage, which made each new market feel like an event.

Whatever the exact reasons, the result is clear. AlBaik’s international footprint is still small compared with its fame, and every new country gets a lot of attention.

How AlBaik’s approach differs by market

Market	Why it made sense	Key challenge
Bahrain	Close to Saudi Arabia, many existing fans	Small market
UAE	Huge expat and tourist population, many Pakistanis and Indians	Intense competition
Kuwait	Gulf neighbour with similar tastes	New brand awareness
Pakistan	Millions of fans from work and pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia	Supply chain, costs and scale

Pakistanis and AlBaik in the Gulf

Pakistanis are one of the largest communities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Many of them have been eating AlBaik for years, and their families in Pakistan have heard about it for just as long. That built-in audience is a major reason Pakistan was chosen as AlBaik’s first market beyond the Gulf, and a reason the launch is expected to be busy. If you live in the UAE and are visiting Pakistan, tell your family to follow our launch page so they know when it really opens.

Frequently asked questions

Is AlBaik in Dubai?

Yes, AlBaik has branches in the UAE, including Dubai.

Is AlBaik in Qatar or Oman?

Not according to the sources we checked on 27 September 2026.

Is AlBaik in the UK or USA?

No, not as of 27 September 2026.

Which country has the most AlBaik branches?

Saudi Arabia, with around 153.