Popular Saudi Burger Chain Hamburgini Shuts Down After Food Safety Scandal
After 12 years of growth, the story of Saudi Arabia’s Hamburgini burger chain has officially ended. A Saudi court has ordered the liquidation of its parent company, Asasiyat Al-Ghitha Trading, following a major food poisoning incident that destroyed customer trust and pushed the company into bankruptcy.
Court Liquidation Order
Mubarak Al-Anazi, the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee, said the Riyadh Commercial Court has issued a liquidation order. Creditors have 90 days to submit their claims. Most Viewed: New Saudi Food Law Violations Table: Rules for Restaurants, Delivery, and Menus
Hamburgini’s Fast Rise
➤ Hamburgini started in Riyadh in 2013.
➤ It became popular with young customers thanks to digital marketing and social media.
➤ Between 2015 and 2019, it expanded quickly and became one of the fastest-growing burger chains in Saudi Arabia.
➤ By 2020, then-CEO Nawaf Al-Fawzan said Hamburgini was the “fastest expanding restaurant brand” in the Kingdom and even planned to list 20% of its shares on the Saudi stock market (Nomu).
➤ At its peak, Hamburgini had 57 branches across Saudi Arabia, including 29 in Riyadh, and outlets in the Eastern Province, Qassim, Jeddah, Hail, and other regions. Recommend: Dhahran Mall Fire: Insurance company finalizes settlement
The Food Poisoning Crisis
In 2024, Hamburgini went through a major crisis when more than 70 people fell ill and one person died after eating at its Riyadh outlets.
■ Investigations showed the problem came from an imported mayonnaise brand called “Bon Tum,” which was contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.
■ Authorities shut down all Hamburgini branches in Riyadh, recalled the mayonnaise, and stopped production at the supplier’s facility.
Impact on Hamburgini
Even though the problem started with the supplier, people lost trust in Hamburgini. Sales fell quickly, debts piled up, and the company couldn’t recover.
By August 2025, the court ordered Hamburgini to shut down completely. Once praised as a Saudi success story, the chain is now considered an example of how a single food safety crisis can bring down even a fast-growing brand. Trending: How to apply for Saudi work visa?
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| Popular Saudi Burger Chain Hamburgini Shuts Down After Food Safety Scandal |