I tried 'the Chick-fil-A of Saudi Arabia.' I was more impressed by the value than the taste.

"For many people in Saudi Arabia, Al Baik isn't just a fast-food chain - it's a pilgrimage stop. The brand began in Jeddah in 1974, when Shakour Abu Ghazalah - a Palestinian entrepreneur who arrived in Saudi Arabia as a refugee - set out to serve affordable, freshly made meals quickly. Over time, Al Baik became known for its pressure-fried "broast" chicken, an 18-spice-blend marinade developed by Ghazalah's sons, and a garlic sauce that's as famous in Saudi Arabia as Chick-fil-A's sauce is in the US."

"Despite its popularity, the fast-food chain stayed almost entirely within western Saudi Arabia for a long time. That limited presence turned it into a destination. Travelers planned their stops around it, pilgrims queued for hours during Hajj, and boxes of chicken were often carried back as carry-ons when leaving Mecca and Medina. This scarcity also led to imitation restaurants and created a strange side economy. In parts of Southeast Asia, restaurants began copying Al Baik's logos, packaging, and using the word "broast" to sell chicken, often suggesting a link to the Saudi original."

"The brand's first international shop opened in 2020 in Bahrain. A year later, it arrived in the UAE, opening a branch at Dubai Mall at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite restrictions, lines spilled out of the food court for months, and the restaurant initially limited its menu to just a few items to keep up with demand."

Al Baik originated in Jeddah in 1974 when Palestinian refugee Shakour Abu Ghazalah aimed to serve affordable, freshly made meals quickly. The chain became famous for pressure-fried "broast" chicken, an 18-spice-blend marinade developed by Ghazalah's sons, and a widely beloved garlic sauce. Remaining concentrated in western Saudi Arabia for decades turned Al Baik into a destination for travelers and pilgrims, with long queues during Hajj and chicken carried home as carry-ons. Scarcity spawned imitations abroad and a local side economy of sellers transporting and vending Al Baik in underserved cities. International expansion began in 2020 in Bahrain and continued to the UAE in 2021, where demand far outpaced initial limited menus.

Read at Business Insider