UAE’s Pickl, BonBird headed to Iraq, 15 new restaurants on the way

IRAQ – Yolk Brands, the dynamic UAE-born hospitality group behind the cult-favorite Pickl and BonBird, has just announced a sizzling expansion into Iraq.

This mouthwatering move builds on an existing partnership with Al Maysarah Holding, already the brand’s trusted partner in Jordan, and solidifies Yolk Brands’ reputation as the region’s most ambitious exporter of homegrown culinary concepts.

The deal will bring 5 Pickl restaurants and 10 BonBird locations to Iraq, with the very first outlets set to open at Iraq Mall in Baghdad during Q2 2026.

A Partnership That Keeps on Growing

This isn’t a blind leap into unfamiliar territory.

Yolk Brands is doubling down on a relationship that’s already proven its recipe for success.

Al Maysarah Holding first brought Pickl and BonBird to Jordan with impressive results, demonstrating deep local knowledge and operational chops that made the next chapter feel not just possible, but inevitable.

With an established footprint in Iraq, the partner is perfectly positioned to introduce both concepts while preserving the quality, consistency, and unmistakable brand swagger that have turned these UAE-born upstarts into genuine cult phenomena.

What’s on the Menu for Baghdad Diners?

So, what exactly is landing in Baghdad?

Pickl brings its bold, unapologetic take on the FRESH.FAST.FOOD ethos, think quality ingredients, serious flavour, and zero compromise.

BonBird serves up modern fried chicken with unbeatable value and a sleek, urban edge.

Together, they offer a high-energy dining experience designed for a new generation of diners who crave food that feels global in quality but still culturally grounded.

Both brands are entering with serious intent: to help shape Iraq’s fast-casual dining scene and give local food lovers something genuinely fresh to get excited about.

Scaling with Purpose, Staying True to Roots

Yolk Brands isn’t just chasing logos on a map. Iraq is a strategic, considered step in a broader game plan that aims to achieve deep coverage across the Middle East before setting sights on Europe and Asia.

Founder and CEO Stephen Flawith described the new market as an “exciting next step,” noting the region’s young, fast-growing consumer base that’s hungry for global-quality brands with local sensitivity.

Yaser Al Rawi, Managing Director of Al Maysarah Holding, echoed the confidence, praising Pickl and BonBird’s “clarity of vision and operational excellence” and expressing certainty that both brands will resonate with Iraqi diners.

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