The envoy was speaking at the recent opening of the third outlet of the Tahlia branch of DQ Grill and Chill Restaurant.

“I am happy to note that the DQ has started off with 30 percent Saudi staff in line with the requirements of the government,” the ambassador said, indicating that this sets an example of great partnership between the Kingdom’s private sector and the US.

He said the newly-opened DQ will have a training center to train its staff which would speak for its entrepreneurship.

Smith said that this is the largest DQ in the world which is housed in an area of 7,000 sq. ft. with a separate family section.

“It will be the anchor and it will look for franchises in other parts of the Kingdom too.”

The new outlet is a Grill and Chill Restaurant (serves food and treats), plus cake, making the area a cake boutique.

The company has plans to open about 32 branches in the Kingdom during the next five years.

Approximate investment in the project is around SR60 million.

Its total staff will be about 500 employees by the end of the year with at least 30 percent Saudi employees.

The first DQ Grill & Chill restaurant outside of North America was launched in Manama, Bahrain, in 2004.