Pakistan’s dining landscape is set to welcome one of the world’s most recognizable casual-dining names, with TGI Fridays signing a major development agreement with Meerab Hospitality to build a network of up to 15 restaurants across the country.
The move places Pakistan within TGI Fridays’ wider international growth strategy, as the American brand looks to deepen its presence across South Asia and the Middle East. The scale of the agreement also signals confidence in a market increasingly being shaped by a young population, changing lifestyles and growing demand for international dining and entertainment experiences.
With a population of more than 240 million and a median age of just 21, Pakistan presents an increasingly compelling consumer story. New malls, hotels and mixed-use developments are changing how people in its major cities eat, shop and socialize, creating space for global brands that offer an experience beyond the meal itself.
That is the opportunity TGI Fridays and Meerab Hospitality are looking to capture. Known globally for its bold American flavors, legendary mocktails and high-energy, celebratory atmosphere, Fridays will be developed locally by Meerab Hospitality as part of a long-term plan to establish the brand at scale across Pakistan.
Behind the expansion is Meerab Hospitality, the franchise and development arm of Meerab Properties, which brings two decades of experience across the Middle East, South Asia and Central Asia. Its combination of local market knowledge and international hospitality experience will underpin the development of the brand across Pakistan.
The ambition extends beyond opening restaurants. Building a network at this scale is expected to create new jobs, develop local hospitality talent and contribute to a more sophisticated restaurant ecosystem as international concepts increasingly find a place in Pakistan’s major urban centers.
For TGI Fridays, Pakistan joins a growing portfolio of international markets being developed through long-term partnerships with experienced local operators. The brand continues to accelerate its global expansion as it advances toward its 1-2-3 Strategic Vision of 1,000+ restaurants and $2 billion in annual revenue by 2030.
For Meerab Hospitality, the opportunity is to combine TGI Fridays’ global brand strength with deep local market knowledge and hospitality expertise, introducing the Fridays experience to a new generation of guests while building the foundations for sustainable, long-term growth across Pakistan.
Phil Broad, Global President of TGI Fridays, said the decision to grow the brand in Pakistan reflects both the strength of the market fundamentals and the partnership with Meerab Hospitality.
According to Broad, the opportunity is also driven by changing consumer expectations, with younger generations looking for brands that offer more than just a meal. He said these plays directly into the strength of TGI Fridays, which has long focused on bringing people together, creating a sense of theatre and giving guests reasons to stay longer, celebrate louder and return.
Pervaiz Iqbal Shahid, Founder and Group CEO of Meerab Properties, said the company is looking to reintroduce TGI Fridays through an energized and well-capitalized platform, supported by strong operational leadership and a long-term commitment to responsible growth.
He mentioned the first flagship restaurant is targeted to open within the next 12 months at the Hyatt Regency Hotel complex in Lahore and that the partners plan to develop TGI Fridays across Pakistan over the next decade through company-owned and approved sub-franchised restaurants.
The Pakistan agreement is TGI Fridays’ second market signing this month, following its recent agreement covering Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, and builds on a series of international agreements across Kenya, the Maldives, Peru, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Greece and Spain.
The expansion reflects TGI Fridays’ approach of working with experienced local operators who bring market knowledge, capability and long-term ambition to high-potential markets.
