Dubai, UAE; March 2, 2015: As part of its commitment to promote Emirati entrepreneurship and support the UAEs small and medium enterprises (SME) sector, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) will provide extended franchising support for UAE nationals to set up a ZOOM or PAAVOs Pizza franchise.

ENOC Retail will offer a discounted franchise fee for UAE nationals as well as additional support services such as site survey, store design, training and supply chain management to help set up and run the new businesses.

Burhan Al Hashemi, Managing Director of ENOC Retail, said: Over the years, ENOC Retail has proven its competencies in franchising its convenience store concept and other popular brands. We have been providing our franchisees with total support including training, a comprehensive franchise operations manual, supervisory support for the ongoing programme, and marketing expertise. Now, we are extending the franchise support with several value-added benefits to Emiratis to encourage a culture of entrepreneurship and to support the SME sector, which is the backbone of our national economy.

He added: This not only reflects our commitment to corporate social responsibility but also underlines our focus on supporting the governmental vision to empower UAE Nationals by providing robust entrepreneurial opportunities.

ENOC Retail will franchise the ZOOM convenience store concept with detailed training programmes for the entrepreneurs. A franchising manual on how to operate ZOOM store concept will also be provided. The ZOOM store offers a full spectrum of products and services including grocery, fresh and packaged food, household items, health and beauty products and publications, among others. Most outlets are open 24x7 adding to the convenience of motorists and customers.

EPPCO owns GCC rights for PAAVOS Pizza, an upscale build-your-own concept designed for both quick serve and fast casual restaurant environments, which will soon be launched in the UAE. This customised pizza concept provides consumers with a 9/ 14-inch, thin-crust, artisan-style pizza. Customers can select their choice of ingredients or a signature pizza. It is then made fresh in front of the customer and baked in a fast-baked oven in just five minutes.

As part of ENOCs strategy to expand its existing 170-store franchise network in the UAE and enter new GCC markets, its lucrative franchise opportunities ZOOM and PAAVOS Pizza were recently showcased at Gulfood, the worlds biggest annual food and hospitality show, held in Dubai.
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