The first El-Chico restaurant brand opened on King Abdullah Road in Dammam on Sunday.

Chief Operating and Commercial Officer of Safari Group of Companies Ali Al-Sagri and Rafik Farouk, director of international franchise development and operations of Consolidated Restaurants Operations, Inc. (CRO Inc.), a US-based restaurant corporation, jointly announced the opening.

Unique Hospitality Company (UHC) is a fully owned subsidiary of Safari Group, a Saudi-based group of companies with its headquarters in Riyadh. The creation of a chain of boutique restaurants representing select and exclusive global brands has been created to realize the vision of the group’s founder, Chairman Saleh Al-Sagri, to attain a leadership position in the restaurant segment of the Kingdom.

This vision has been fueled by the passion of Ali Al-Sagri, Safari, who decided to undertake this challenge, with the leadership of Talal Azhari, a veteran with 37 years’ experience in the operation and development of restaurant chains.

Its business plan endeavors to develop five restaurants across the Kingdom under the El Chico casual dining restaurant brand.

El Chico, a Tex Mex tradition since 1940, owes its success to its exceptional homemade family recipes using fresh ingredients, offered in a simple and relaxed environment.

“This has made El Chico one of the highest quality food and service providers in the United States,” the company stated.

El Chico, owned by CRO Inc., a Texas-based company, Dallas, was established in 1998 with El Chico as its sole brand.

It has since grown to include the creation and/or acquisition of Black Oak Grill, Cantina Laredo, Cool River Cafe, Good Eats, Lucky’s, Silver Fox and III Forks Steakhouse brands.

Under the leadership of CEO John Harkey Jr. and a handful of talented and dedicated industry specialists, the company says it has experienced exponential growth in both domestic and international markets.