Amercana Restaurants International PLC, which runs and manages a portfolio of restaurant chains and brands across the Middle East, reported a net profit of 814.4 million riyals for the first nine months of 2026, according to the Saudi market data outlet ارقام : اخبار ومعلومات سوق الأسهم السعودي - تاسي. That figure is 60% higher than the 507.7 million riyals the company earned in the same period of 2025.
The third quarter alone produced 262.3 million riyals, a 63% increase over the comparable quarter a year earlier, the outlet reported. The company's board approved the financial statements for the period ending 30 September 2026 on the same day the results were published.
Why it matters
The results put the operator among the stronger performers in the Gulf's casual and quick-service dining sector at a time when input costs are under pressure. Profit growth that outpaces revenue growth suggests the company is converting sales into earnings more efficiently, helped by operating leverage and procurement discipline. For investors watching Saudi-listed consumer stocks, Amercana's numbers offer a read on how discretionary food spending is holding up across its regional markets.
Revenue growth and what drove it
Revenue for the nine-month period climbed 12.9%, according to the company's explanation carried by ارقام : اخبار ومعلومات سوق الأسهم السعودي - تاسي. Two factors accounted for the increase: same-store sales growth of 7.0% and continued expansion of the restaurant network.
The company attributed the same-store sales gain to ongoing menu innovation and value offers that resonated with customers. Localized marketing campaigns, partnerships with content creators and market-specific creative work also helped drive customer engagement and strengthen brand positioning across its markets, the company said. It added that the flexibility of its operations and supply chain allowed it to keep serving customers and keep products available without disruption.
In the third quarter, revenue rose 14.4%, supported by same-store sales growth of 8.6% and further network expansion.
Sequentially, however, third-quarter profit came in below the second quarter. The company linked the decline to a 0.3% drop in revenue, which it attributed to the positive seasonal effect of the holiday period in the second quarter. It also cited higher cost of revenue, driven by rising input costs tied to current geopolitical conditions and their effect on inventory costs, along with higher utility expenses from summer seasonality.
Store count and balance sheet
The group operated 2,769 restaurants at the end of September 2026, up from 2,657 a year earlier — a net addition of 112 outlets.
Shareholders' equity, excluding minority interests, stood at 1,519.21 million riyals at the end of the period, compared with 1,517.33 million riyals at the end of the equivalent period last year.
Taco Bell deal opens a new category
Amercana continued to broaden its brand portfolio through strategic partnerships and entry into new food categories. In August 2026, the company signed an exclusive development agreement with Taco Bell to launch the global brand in the United Arab Emirates, with plans for gradual expansion into additional Gulf Cooperation Council markets.
According to ارقام : اخبار ومعلومات سوق الأسهم السعودي - تاسي, the tie-up marks Amercana's entry into the quick-service segment inspired by Mexican cuisine, a category the company describes as growing rapidly. The move is intended to diversify its portfolio and sharpen its ability to meet shifting customer preferences across the region.
What to watch
Amercana enters the fourth quarter of 2026 with what it describes as positive business momentum and a strong financial position. Management said it will keep pursuing sustainable and profitable growth across its markets, organized around three priorities.
On same-store sales, the company expects strong single-digit growth within the middle of its range for the full year, based on current trading conditions. On margins, it expects continued operating leverage, purchasing efficiency and cost discipline to support strong margins, with the full-year net profit margin forecast to improve by 150 to 175 basis points compared with the prior year. On expansion, it plans to add a net 120 to 130 new restaurants to its portfolio by the end of the current year.
The fourth-quarter update will show whether the margin guidance holds as input costs remain exposed to geopolitical conditions, and whether the Taco Bell rollout stays on schedule.
