Sandella’s Flatbread Café recently opened its first location in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Dubai, the most populous city in the UAE, has responded quite well to the new store. This location marks the beginning of Sandella’s major international expansion plans. Sandella’s has more than 400 restaurants in development across the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates.

The first Sandella’s Flatbread in Dubai is located on American University of Dubai’s campus and opened mid January.

“This is the first step in our development plans for the entire Middle East market,” says Sandella’s Founder and CEO, Mike Stimola. “Opening on a college campus first is the same strategy we used in the U.S. The results have been great. After the first month of being open, we have seen that customers in Dubai are purchasing the same product mix that we sell in the U.S., with the Chicken Tuscan Panini and Brazilian Chicken Grilled Flatbread being two of the most popular menu items. This gives us added confidence that Sandella’s plan to be a global brand is on the right track.”

Sandella’s Flatbread Café incorporates the hottest trends in the fast-casual segment, serving fresh, hot, and healthy menu items such as grilled flatbreads, paninis, sandwiches, chopped salads, rice bowls, and quesadillas–all made with their own delicious brick-oven, low calorie, fat free flatbread.

Restaurants average 1,000-1,500 square feet and seat 30 to 40 guests.