Foreign food chains take risks for a bite of Iran

Todays special: Iranians ordering meals at the Sushi Shop in northern Teheran. — AFP

TEHERAN: For years, Iranians have had to put up with the likes of “Mash Donalds” and “Pizza Hat”. Now real Western food franchises have finally arrived, but doing business in Iran is not for the faint-hearted.

Despite strict international sanctions being eased under a nuclear deal with world powers last year, the Iranian economy remains bogged down by red tape and struggles to attract foreign investors.