Total Lubricants has inked a deal making it the exclusive supplier for a franchise of Yellow Hat oil change centers and stores in the United Arab Emirates, the companies announced Monday. The franchise owner, Sharaf Group, plans to open several stores in the country this year.
The Yellow Hat chain was founded in Japan in 1961 and is run by Yellow Hat Ltd. Its stores carry a wide range of car parts, including automotive lubricants. Japan is still home to most of its stores, but the chain has expansion ambitions, including a plan to open 500 stores in China during the next decade.
Sharaf signed an agreement last year to serve as franchiser for the U.A.E. Its plans call for several stores plus an oil change center that is scheduled to open in Dubai in April.
Paris-based Total has sold lubricants in the U.A.E. for more than 25 years, and it operates a lube blending plant in Dubais Jebel Ali. Total officials said the company expects Yellow Hat to be popular in the country.