Cloud kitchen startup Rebel Foods has made its entry into the Saudi Arabian market by launching two cloud kitchens in Riyadh. The company, founded in 2011 by Jaydeep Barman and Kallol Banerjee, already has a presence in India, the UK, the UAE, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. With the launch in Saudi Arabia, Rebel Foods becomes the first Indian foodtech startup to enter this market.
Rebel Foods boasts an impressive network of over 450 dark kitchens across 70 cities in 10 countries. The startup operates under multiple brands, including Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, and Oven Story Pizza, among others.
According to reports from Businessworld, Rebel Foods aims to establish a $100 million food delivery business in the Saudi market over the next three years. To achieve this goal, the company plans to open 60 more stores in Riyadh and expand to cities such as Jeddah, Dammam, and Khobar.
For its foray into Saudi Arabia, Rebel Foods has partnered with Dubai-based KitchenPark and Kitch. Initially, the company will offer popular brands such as The Messy Burger, Oven Story Pizza, Fricken’ Fried Chicken, and The 500 Calorie Project. Mandarin Oak, Faasos, and Behrouz Biryani will be introduced in the region at a later stage.
In a recent development, Rebel Foods granted employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to 5,000 employees working across its 350-plus kitchens and corporate offices. The company also raised $9.1 million in a debt funding round from Northern Arc and Stride Ventures in April.
Rebel Foods is experiencing rapid expansion both internally and externally. The total value of ESOPs held by its employees has reached $65 million, and last year, the company acquired a majority stake in luxury chocolate brand SMOOR, resulting in SMOOR’s valuation reaching $50 million.
