NBK Capital Partners, the private equity group of NBK Capital, has completed an investment into Amo Hamza, the leading seafood casual dining chain in Saudi Arabia. The investment was consummated through NBK Capital Equity Partners Fund II, the firm’s second private equity fund which focuses on acquiring majority and minority stakes in growing middle market companies in the MENA region. The investment in Amo Hamza marks the seventh investment by NBK Capital Partners in the regional food and beverage sector.
Established in 1990 by brothers Ali and Mohammed Al-Zahrani, Amo Hamza is the largest seafood casual dining chain in Saudi Arabia with a total footprint of 13 restaurants spanning five cities, including eight restaurants in Riyadh and two restaurants in Jeddah. Amo Hamza restaurants offer a wide selection of seafood dishes infused with Arabic and Middle Eastern influence, served in a warm and distinctive ambiance. The company is the pioneer in the country’s fragmented and fast-growing seafood casual dining segment and enjoys a strong following among families and individuals in the Kingdom.
Mohammed Al-Zahrani, founding shareholder of Amo Hamza, stated, “Our partnership with NBK Capital Partners marks a key milestone in the success story of Amo Hamza. We are confident that with the support of a prominent regional private equity group like NBK Capital Partners, we are well positioned to capitalize on our existing strengths and to accelerate Amo Hamza’s expansion.”
Yaser Moustafa, Senior Managing Director at NBK Capital Partners, commented, “Our investment in Amo Hamza is consistent with our strategy of investing in regional companies enjoying strong fundamentals and demonstrating visible growth potential. Our partners have established a reputable consumer brand which we will collaborate together to develop going forward.”
Rashid Siddiqi, Managing Director at NBK Capital Partners, added, “Amo Hamza is well positioned in the fast growing and under-penetrated seafood dining category in the Kingdom. Its recognized and respected brand positioning in the market is a major strength that we will leverage to expand across the Kingdom and beyond.”
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Hourani & Associates acted as legal advisors for NBK Capital Partners and Amo Hamza respectively.
