DUBAI - ENOC Retail Systems Holding, the retail division of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), announced plans to expand its presence in the Middle East by franchising its ZOOM convenience stores and Pronto, a fresh food and gourmet coffee concept.

ENOC Retail operates a network of 170 ENOC and EPPCO service stations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Developed by ENOC in 2009, ZOOM now operates six stores at the Dubai Metro stations and plans to expand to 28 stores in total. ZOOM is also present in eight stores within the ENOC/EPPCO network and is set to expand as standalone stores and at ENOC/EPPCO service stations.

Pronto, established in 2008, operates 21 outlets within ENOC/EPPCO service stations, and exists as a standalone unit at KidZania in The Dubai Mall and at the Tasjeel Vehicle Testing and Registration Center in Dubai.

Burhan Al Hashemi, managing director of ENOC Retail, said that expansion plans are part of a long-term strategy to establish ZOOM and Pronto as premier providers of retail experiences across the Middle East region: "ENOC Retail has proven its competencies in a short span of time. We are now open to share our expertise by franchising the successful retail concepts and reach out to a wider audience in the Middle East."

ENOC Retail Systems Holding will provide its franchisees with full franchisee support services including training, comprehensive franchise operations manual, ongoing program oversight and marketing expertise.

ENOC/EPPCO is the pioneer of convenience store retailing in the UAE, introducing mini marts in 1988 in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Currently, ENOC Retail employs over 4,500 frontline staff, meeting the needs of more than 600,000 satisfied customers a week.