Al Baik
Jeddah fried chicken chain that introduced broasted chicken to Saudi Arabia in 1974
Based in Jeddah, founded 1974
The numbers
1974Founded
Why it matters
Albaik was founded in Jeddah in 1974 and says it was the first to bring the broast chicken concept to Saudi Arabia. It has run seasonal non-profit outlets in Mina during Hajj, one of which has served about 250,000 meals a day, and it kept its prices unchanged for 25 years. It expanded slowly, reaching Riyadh only in 2018, Bahrain in 2020 and the UAE in 2021.
On Founding MENA

Why ALBAIK Is Still So Hyped
For many Saudis, ALBAIK is more than somewhere to grab fried chicken. The chain has been around since 1974, survived wave after wave of global fast-food competition, and somehow remained one of the most talked-about food brands in the country.
6 Oct 2026

Al Baik

How Peak Games Became a Starting Point for Turkey’s Next Gaming Companies
In 2019, five employees left Peak Games to build another mobile gaming company in Istanbul.
4 Nov 2026

What It Takes to Take a Gulf Restaurant Brand Abroad
At Harrods in London, Somewhere serves guacamole hummus, kunafa-wrapped shrimp and beef shawarma with beetroot rice.
1 Nov 2026