Jawad Business Group

What Jawad Business Group does

Jawad Business Group (JBG) is a privately held Bahraini diversified conglomerate founded in 1960, headquartered in Manama, and operating across all six Gulf Cooperation Council states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE). The group employs over 5,000 people from more than 40 nationalities and runs more than 600 retail storefronts, franchise outlets, and service locations across the region. JBG's leadership is concentrated within the founding Jawad family, with Faisal Jawad serving as Chairman and CEO and four other family members plus one outside director on the board.

The group's business is organized around five strategic verticals. First, master franchise operations for international brands in QSR and coffee (Costa Coffee, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Papa John's, Chili's, Outback, Delifrance, Hakisushi, Magic Wok, Thai Express), fashion and footwear (BHS, Mango, Hobbs, The White Company, Hunkemoller, Hush Puppies, New Balance), and car rental (Avis, since 1979). Second, own-brand retail including 24 Hours Market (21 convenience stores, the largest single-fascia C-store chain in Bahrain), Jawad Metro supermarket, Jawad Express, The Jawad Dome mall, and Jawad Services Station. Third, FMCG distribution of 100+ world-class brands (Fonterra, Hershey's, Ferrero Rocher, Danone, Lay's, Nutella, Barilla) to hypermarkets, supermarkets, cooperatives, and HORECA accounts in Bahrain and Qatar. Fourth, consumer-facing services through Alfanar Travels (IATA-accredited, since 1992) and Gajria Electronics/GECOM (consumer electronics retail plus integrated systems integration). Fifth, automotive distribution of JAC passenger vehicles via the Auto-o's subsidiary.

JBG's go-to-market is franchise and distribution: revenue is generated through store-level retail sales (hardware sales model), franchise fees and royalties from operating global brand franchises (licensing/royalties model), and wholesale FMCG margins on distribution to retailers (transaction fee model). Proprietary technology is concentrated in operational logistics infrastructure rather than consumer-facing platforms: Velocity operates 23,000 cbm of temperature-controlled warehousing on Exceed WMS and Very Narrow Aisle racking, with a temperature-controlled vehicle fleet. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and the group does not operate any consumer-facing mobile apps, APIs, or AI-driven services. The company is family-owned with no external institutional investors, no funding rounds, no M&A activity disclosed, and no IPO plans; financial figures including revenue are not publicly reported.

Name

Jawad Business Group

Legal name

Jawad Business Group

Website

https://jawad.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Jawad Business Group is a Bahraini family-owned diversified conglomerate operating 600+ franchise, retail, distribution, and service outlets across all six GCC states, serving consumers with master franchises (Costa Coffee, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Avis), own-brand convenience stores and supermarkets, FMCG distribution of 100+ brands, and travel and electronics businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diversified Retail, Hospitality and Distribution

NAICS

Grocery and Convenience Retailers (4451), Convenience Retailers and Vending Machine Operators (44513), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (4581)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Retail-Eating Places (5812), Retail-Misc General Merchandise Stores (5399)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Concept / Global QSR Chains (Mixed Menus) (THAFAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Gourmet Foods Distribution (CRAOABAF), Convenience Store & Travel Center Broadline Distributors (AFAIAAAE), National Big-Box Mass Merchandisers (CRAGABAA)

Keywords

• Diversified retail operations
• FMCG distribution services
• International franchise restaurants
• Convenience store chain
• GCC business conglomerate

Headquarters

HQ city

Manama

HQ country

Bahrain

HQ region

Middle East

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Franchise Operations: Operating international brand franchises including restaurants (Burger King, Costa Coffee, Dairy Queen, Chili's, Outback, Papa John's), fashion, footwear, convenience stores, malls, and travel services across the GCC region
2. FMCG Distribution: Representing and distributing more than 100 world-class brands to retailers including hypermarkets, supermarkets, cooperatives, grocery stores, and the hotel/restaurant catering sector in Bahrain and Qatar
3. Retail Operations: Operating own retail stores including supermarkets (Jawad Metro, 24 Hours Market, Jawad Express), service stations, malls (The Jawad Dome), electronics (Gajria Electronics), and logistics (Velocity)

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Jawad Business Group operates a diversified portfolio of over 600 retail outlets and franchises across the GCC, spanning own-brand convenience stores and supermarkets (24 Hours Market, Jawad Metro, Jawad Express), international franchise restaurants and coffee shops (Burger King, Costa Coffee, Chili's, Dairy Queen, Papa John's, Outback, Delifrance, Hakisushi, Magic Wok, Thai Express), FMCG wholesale distribution of 100+ world-class brands in Bahrain and Qatar, fashion and footwear franchises, travel agency services (Alfanar Travels), car rental (Avis), automotive dealership (JAC Motors), electronics retail (Gajria Electronics, GECOM), logistics (Velocity), and a shopping mall (The Jawad Dome).

Product overview

Jawad Business Group is a Bahraini diversified business conglomerate and one of the oldest, strongest corporate brands in the Kingdom, operating over 600 stores across the GCC. The company's product portfolio spans five strategic groups: Convenience stores (24 Hours Market, Jawad Express, Jawad Metro); FMCG Distribution (FMCG Bahrain and FMCG Qatar representing over 100 brands including Fonterra, Hershey's, Ferrero Rocher, Danone, Lay's, Nutella, and many more); Fashion and Home Retail (international franchises for BHS, Mango, Origem, Camaieu, Hobbs, The White Company, Lakeland, Quiz, Hunkemoller, Tapeàl'oeil; footwear licenses for Hush Puppies, Jansports, New Balance, Hotter Shoes); Coffee Shops and Restaurants (franchises for Costa Coffee, Chili's, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Papa John's, Outback Steakhouse, Delifrance, Hakisushi, Magic Wok, Thai Express); and Travel/Leisure services (Alfanar Travels, Avis car rental, JAC Motors dealership, Velocity logistics, The Jawad Dome mall, Jawad Services Station). The company operates its own logistics facility in Bahrain and UAE, employs over 5,000 people across more than 40 nationalities, and has its own electronics retail operation through Gajria Electronics and GECOM.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 24 Hours Market: Chain of 21 Convenience Stores spread across Bahrain operating 24 hours
• Alfanar Travels
• Avis
• Burger King
• Chili's
• Costa Coffee
• Dairy Queen
• Delifrance
• FMCG Bahrain
• FMCG Qatar
• Gajria Electronics
• GECOM
• Hakisushi
• JAC Motors
• Jawad Express
• Jawad Metro
• Jawad Services Station
• Magic Wok
• Outback
• Papa John's
• Thai Express
• The Jawad Dome
• Velocity

Products and services

• Burger King Global fast-food hamburger restaurant chain franchise operated across the GCC by JBG, offering flame-grilled burgers and a customizable menu ('Have it your way').
• Costa Coffee British coffeehouse chain franchise serving espresso-based drinks using a blend of seven coffees (six Arabica, one Robusta); operated by JBG as one of the largest international Costa Coffee franchise partners globally.
• Chili's American casual dining Tex-Mex restaurant franchise operated by JBG across the GCC, offering a broad menu of burgers, ribs, fajitas and cocktails.
• Dairy Queen American quick-service restaurant franchise operating 20 locations in the region under JBG, famous for Blizzards, frozen cakes, soft serves, and grilled items; Bahrain ranks within top five in Dairy Queen's international system.
• Papa John's Pizza delivery and takeout restaurant franchise operated by JBG, using vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh-sliced vegetables, hand-tossed dough prepared daily, and home delivery options.
• Outback Steakhouse Australian-themed casual dining restaurant franchise operated by JBG, best known for grilled steaks, chicken, seafood and signature 17-spice seasoning, plus the Bloomin' Onion.
• Delifrance French bakery and café chain franchise operated by JBG, offering ready-to-prove and part-baked breads, pastries, sandwiches and French café fare.
• Hakisushi Japanese restaurant franchise operated by JBG offering authentic sushi rolls, Nigiris, Gunkans, Tempura, Teppanyaki, Yakitori and Bento boxes.
• Magic Wok Chinese cuisine restaurant franchise operated by JBG, offering an innovative menu built around fresh ingredients and authentic Chinese cooking techniques.
• Thai Express Thai cuisine restaurant franchise operated by JBG using authentic Thai elements including high-quality chicken marinated in secret marinades, prime Australian tenderloin, and ingredients flown in from Thailand.
• 24 Hours Market Chain of 21 own-brand convenience stores operated 24/7 across Bahrain by JBG, serving day-to-day consumer needs; the largest single fascia C-store chain in Bahrain.
• Jawad Metro Full-service own-brand supermarket operated by JBG in Country Mall on Budaiya Road, Bahrain, offering a complete range of fresh, frozen and ambient products in a neighborhood shopping environment.
• Jawad Express Own-brand chain of convenience stores operated by JBG in Bahrain, strategically located to serve the business and working community with premium quality products in a fast-paced shop-in, shop-out format.
• The Jawad Dome Own-brand shopping mall in Barbar, Bahrain, operated by JBG, offering groceries at Jawad Supermarket, fashion stores (Accessorize, Hush Puppies), a food court with multiple restaurant options, a gaming area and free Wi-Fi.
• FMCG Bahrain Distribution Wholesale distribution arm of JBG in Bahrain, representing and distributing more than 100 world-class FMCG brands (Americana, Frito-Lays, Ferrero Rocher, Nutella, Danone, Hershey's, Lay's, Fonterra, Snapple, Highland Spring, Libby's, Emborg, KDD, Al Shifa Honey, Tabasco, Walker's, Smucker's, Barilla, Tilda and many more) to hypermarkets, supermarkets, cooperatives, grocery stores, hotels and restaurants.
• FMCG Qatar Distribution Wholesale distribution arm of JBG in Qatar, representing and distributing international and regional household FMCG brands to retailers and food-service operators.
• Velocity Logistics Logistics and warehousing subsidiary of JBG offering 23,000 cbm of temperature-controlled storage, a temperature-controlled vehicle fleet, the Exceed Warehouse Management System, and Very Narrow Aisle racking technology to support the group's FMCG and restaurant/coffee-shop businesses.
• Gajria Electronics Electronics and home appliances retail subsidiary of JBG with 65+ years of history in Bahrain, distributing 15+ brands including JVC, Pioneer, Nikai, Chigo, Touchmate, Zojirushi, F&D, Casio, Legend, Binatone, Changhong and Olympus across LED TVs, home theatres, washing machines, air conditioners, refrigerators and car audios.
• GECOM Integrated electronics and communications solutions arm of Gajria Electronics (active since 1948) under JBG, providing intelligent lighting, access control, PABX and intercom systems, copper and fiber networks, time and attendance, door video intercoms, call management, audio visual systems, security systems, remote surveillance, CCTV, queue management, smart card products, traffic barriers, network components, software development and server room services.
• Alfanar Travels Travel management company headquartered in Bahrain since 1992 and operated under JBG; IATA accredited and approved by Ministry of Information & Tourism Affairs, member of ASTA and ABTTA, and serves as General Sales Agent for Fly Dubai and Passenger Sales Agent for Vistara in Bahrain. Provides corporate travel management, individual destination management, visa processing, airline affairs, and VIP/private jet charter services.
• Avis Car Rental Car rental franchise operated by JBG in Bahrain since 1979, the first international car rental company in the Kingdom, with a fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles across 5 locations and a diverse fleet including Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Lexus, Mercedes and BMW.
• JAC Motors Dealership Automobile dealership operated by JBG's Auto-o's division in Bahrain, appointed sole distributor for JAC passenger cars (sedans, MPVs, SRVs, vans); five JAC vehicle models have been launched in Bahrain featuring the 'Affordable Luxury' concept. Includes showroom, after-sales facility and Gold Maintenance Packages.
• Jawad Services Station Own-brand round-the-clock fuel station operated by JBG, offering fuel, car wash, car maintenance services and an attached Jawad Express Convenience Store; the group's first foray into fuel retail.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alfanar TravelscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1992Leading Travel Management Company headquartered in Bahrain serving since 1992. IATA accredited and approved by Ministry of Information & Tourism affairs. Member of ASTA and ABTTA. General Sales Agent (GSA) of Fly Dubai and Passenger Sales Agent (PSA) of Vistara in Bahrain.
• AviscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1979Avis Bahrain was first established in 1979 as the first International Car Rental Company in Bahrain. Fleet of over 3000 vehicles and 5 locations. Operates young modern fleet including Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Lexus, Mercedes, BMW.
• JAC Motors (Jianghuai Automobile Co.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJAC is a complete automaker with full line of independent vehicles including Sedans, MPVs, SRVs, Vans, trucks, buses, engines, gearboxes. JAC appointed Auto-o's (a division of Bahrain Commercial Services Co.) as their sole distributors for JAC passenger cars in Bahrain. Five JAC vehicle models have been launched in Bahrain.
• Costa CoffeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCosta Coffee founded in London in 1971 by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa. JBG is amongst the single largest International franchise partners for Costa Coffee in the world. The Espresso blend uses seven different coffees - six Arabica Beans and one Robusta.
• Burger KingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEstablished in 1945, Burger King is one of the largest fast food chains globally. JBG operates Burger King franchises across GCC states.
• Dairy QueencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmerican Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ), headquartered in Minneapolis, services over 6,300 stores in US, Canada, and 25 other countries. ADQ is part of Berkshire Hathaway family led by Warren Buffett. JBG operates 13-20 Dairy Queen locations in the region.
• Chili'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChili's opened in USA in 1975 as a fun Dallas burger outlet. Today operates restaurants worldwide. JBG franchises Chili's for GCC states.
• Papa John'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPapa John's is known for 'Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.' Using vine-ripened tomatoes packed within six hours of harvesting, fresh-sliced vegetables, and hand-tossed dough prepared daily.
• Outback SteakhousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOutback is known for grilled steaks, chicken and seafood, salads and soups. Signature steaks seasoned with secret blend of 17 spices. Famous for Bloomin' Onion. Opened first store in Qatar at Lagoona Mall in West Bay.
• Fashion Brand Franchisors (BHS, Mango, Hobbs, etc.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJBG holds franchises for BHS, Mango, Origem, Camaieu, Hobbs, The White Company, Lakeland, Quiz, Hunkemoller and Tapeàl'oeil. Footwear business includes license for Hush Puppies and distribution partnership for Jansports, New Balance, Hotter Shoes for GCC states.
• FMCG Brand Manufacturers (Fonterra, Hershey's, Ferrero, etc.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJBG distributes 100+ world-class brands in Bahrain and Qatar including: Fonterra (Chesdale and Anchor), Snapple, Highland Spring, Libby's, Hershey's, Ferrero Rocher, Frito-Lays, Emborg, Americana Meat, KDD, Al Shifa Honey, Tabasco, Walker's, Smucker's, Danone, Barilla, Tilda, and many more.
• Auto-o's (Bahrain Commercial Services Co.)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuto-o's is a division of Bahrain Commercial Services Co. W.L.L. Appointed as sole distributors for JAC passenger cars in Bahrain. Commenced operations in 2008 as sub-dealership with Gold Maintenance Packages.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lulu Group International: UAE-headquartered hypermarket and retail conglomerate with extensive FMCG distribution and wholesale operations across the GCC, Middle East, and Asia. Comparable in FMCG distribution scale and multi-format retail presence.
• Landmark Group: UAE-based retail conglomerate operating fashion, home, and hospitality brands (Splash, Babyshop, Centrepoint, Home Centre, Landmark Sharaf DG) across MENA and India. Comparable diversified GCC retail portfolio with own-brand and franchise mix.
• Azadea Group: Lebanon/UAE-headquartered franchise retailer operating brands including Zara, Mango, Marks & Spencer, and Pizza Express across the Middle East and Africa. Comparable multi-brand franchise operator in the same region.
• Al-Futtaim Group: UAE-based diversified conglomerate operating franchise rights for major international brands (including IKEA, ACE, Marks & Spencer, and Toyota) across the MENA region. Directly comparable as a multi-vertical GCC franchise and retail operator with similar master-franchise and distribution model.
• Apparel Group: UAE-based fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate operating franchise brands (Tommy Hilfiger, Charles & Keith, Aldo, Skechers) across the GCC and beyond. Directly comparable fashion franchise operator.
• Al Maya Group: UAE-based diversified group operating supermarkets, FMCG distribution, and franchise brands across the GCC. Comparable mix of FMCG distribution and supermarket retail operations.
• Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Group: Saudi Arabia's largest fashion and lifestyle retail franchise operator, holding franchise rights for brands like Zara, Mango, and Bershka across MENA. Closely comparable franchise-rights GCC business model focused on fashion and F&B.
• Al Shaya Group: Kuwait-headquartered international franchise operator running hundreds of stores for brands including Starbucks, H&M, Mothercare, The Body Shop, and Victoria's Secret across the Middle East. Highly comparable franchise-rights-driven GCC retail model.
• BinHendi Enterprises: UAE-based conglomerate holding franchise and distribution rights for international brands (including hospitality and consumer goods). Closely comparable diversified GCC franchise operator structure.

Broad incumbents

• Majid Al Futtaim: UAE-based shopping mall, retail, and leisure operator with Carrefour franchise rights across MENA. Larger incumbent with broader mall and leisure portfolio but overlapping franchise-retail model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jawadgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jawad Business Group