The Bench Advises RMAL Hospitality on Global Korean Street Food Sensation Franchise

The Bench advised RMAL Hospitality PSC on an area development agreement with Cupbop Franchise LLC for the franchise of Cupbop restaurants in the United Arab Emirates.   The UAE launch is Cupbop’s first major international franchise outside of the USA and Indonesia.  

Elias Madbak, CEO of RMAL Hospitality commented “I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Cupbop – the global Korean street food sensation – now shaking up Dubai’s food scene under RMAL Hospitality.  From a humble food truck in Salt Lake City to over 160 locations worldwide, Cupbop is proof that innovation and flavour go hand-in-hand.  We’re proud to bring this energy, creativity and culinary adventures to the UAE starting at Ibn Battuta Mall, JBR, DCC and more to follow”.  

Joby Beretta, Legal Director at The Bench commented “We love working with clients like RMAL to bring innovative F&B brands to the UAE market and the viral K-food hit with millions of fans and a Shark Tank bidding war behind it, is an exciting addition.  It was a pleasure to assist RMAL to add yet another brand to its successful franchise portfolio, including Wagamama, Trader Vic’s, Marco Pierre White, DRVN Coffee, Allo Beirut and Oche”.

The Bench's franchise team members have been advising on F&B franchise agreements in the UAE for over two decades now and have been recognised by the world’s leading legal directories including Lexology Index (previously Who’s Who Legal) Franchising, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. Legal 500 Intellectual Property 2025 quoted “The Bench’s key strengths lie in franchising, intellectual property infringements and technology licensing”.