US-based multi-brand restaurant operator FAT Brands has boosted its presence in the Middle East by opening its first Johnny Rockets location in Iraq.

Located in Alyarmouk, Baghdad, the new location will be operated by Alanwar Alarabiya.

FAT Brands' fast casual division COO Jake Berchtold said: “Johnny Rockets is a timeless concept that we are proud to see succeed across many borders and formats.

“We look forward to continued growth in Iraq, where we see the opportunity to capitalise on an impressive customer base.”

Since February this year, FAT Brands has opened Johnny Rockets locations in various overseas locations, including Fortaleza, Brazil; Cumbica International Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Lima, Peru; Talca, Chile; Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

It has also opened a ghost kitchen in the UAE.

The new Iraq location will offer guests halal, cooked-to-order burgers, real hand-spun ice cream shakes, fries, chicken options and more.

The first Johnny Rockets restaurant opened on 6 June 1986 in Los Angeles. Since then, it has expanded its presence across the US and 25 other countries around the globe.

FAT Brands has also opened Johnny Rockets restaurants in nine other international locations this year.

In April this year, FAT Brands opened its first brick-and-mortar Johnny Rockets location in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The restaurant was opened in partnership with franchise partner Kitopi, who has a master franchise agreement with FAT Brands to open 136 brick-and-mortar sites and 70 ghost kitchens across the Middle East.