Saudi Exchange celebrates the listing of Americana Restaurants International PLC

The Saudi Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) celebrated the listing of UAE-headquartered Americana Restaurants International Plc (Americana Restaurants), the largest restaurant operator in the MENA region and Kazakhstan, through a listing ceremony held at the Saudi Exchange’s Media Center. The ceremony was attended by Mohammed Sulaiman Al Rumaih, CEO of Saudi Exchange, and Mr. Raid Abdullah Ismail, Board Member, Americana Restaurants, who welcomed the first-ever dual listing in the GCC region.

Commenting on the occasion, Mohammed Al Rumaih, CEO of Saudi Exchange, said, “We are excited to welcome Americana Restaurants as the first dual listed company on the Saudi Exchange. The Exchange has implemented infrastructure to enable strong links with capital markets in the GCC region, allowing Non-Saudi issuers to access an additional pool of capital. This historic milestone serves as testament to the development of a technologically advanced market and reflects the strategic importance of the Saudi capital market as one of the largest emerging markets in the world.”

Americana Restaurants issued 2.527 billion shares, representing 30% of the company’s issued share capital, set at an offering price of SAR 2.68 per share on the Saudi Exchange.

The dual listing follows the introduction of several enhancements by the Saudi Tadawul Group over the years to ease access for regional and international investors to the Saudi capital market. With recent upgrades specifically to the post-trade infrastructure, the Securities Depository Center (Edaa) enables the smooth transfer of shares between the Saudi Depository Centre (Edaa) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).

In alignment with Vision 2030’s Financial Sector Development Program, Saudi Exchange is committed to working alongside related authorities to improve procedures and simplify requirements for companies looking to list on the Saudi Exchange. This builds on the Exchange’s vision to elevate its position locally, regionally, and internationally, as a lucrative destination for investors and issuers.

Americana Restaurants is among the world’s leading operators of quick-service and casual dining restaurants. It operates a diverse portfolio of 12 iconic brands including KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardee’s and Krispy Kreme, with more than 2,050 restaurants across 12 markets, and serves an addressable population of over 270 million through an omni-channel universe.