Hard Rock Cafe is Coming to Armenia

Armenian National Interests fund (ANIF) is pleased to announce the launch of the world-famous Hard Rock Cafe brand in Yerevan, in cooperation with Food Republic Company.

Arsen Hovhannisyan, the founding director of “Food Republic”  has recently signed a franchise agreement with Hard Rock International.

ANIF participates in the program within the framework of the Anti-Crisis fund programs of the ANIF subsidiary company established to mitigate the economic consequences of COVID 19.

The agreement between ANIF and Food Republic was signed by Bella Manoukian, Director of ANIF’s subsidiary’s Entrepreneur + State Anti-Crisis Investment Fund, and Arsen Hovhannisyan, Director of Food Republic.

Hard Rock Cafe Yerevan is scheduled to start operating in the second quarter of 2022.

Mr. Hovhannisyan, whose company owns Wine Republic, Thaiwine Republic, Asador, Mao and Point of View restaurants with years of successful experience in the field of restaurant business, started negotiations with the Hard Rock Cafe in 2019.

Mr. Hovhannisyan comments: “Opening a franchise of such a world-renowned brand in Yerevan will become a gift for Armenian consumers and guests. It will also give a new impulse to the development of the service sector, setting new standards in music, business and quality service management. Rock traditions will find their home in Armenia. We will be happy to make Yerevan a new attractive point for all the fans of Hard Rock Cafe.”

ANIF director David Papazyan says he is glad to be announcing the entry of such a famous brand to Armenia. “We are sure that state support is more efficient when the business itself has a vision and aspiration for expansion and new initiatives.

The experience of our partners and the presence of a world-famous brand in the capital will not only become a successful business project, but will also contribute to Yerevan’s tourism attractiveness.”

ANIF has 48% participation in the project. One of the preconditions for the participation of ANIF Anti-Crisis fund in all business support programs is the willingness of the entrepreneur for at least 50.1% co-financing of the project.

The first Hard Rock Cafe opened in downtown London in 1971. Today the brand is present   in more than 68 countries. Soon Armenia will join the list.